Driving in Lebanon vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
Exploring the contrasting driving regulations between Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates reveals significant variations in road etiquette, speed limits, and traffic management. While Lebanon offers a more relaxed approach, the UAE emphasizes strict adherence to rules and safety measures, shaping the overall experience for drivers in these two distinct cultures.
Lanes
| Lebanon | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as a separation line in some areas. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 6 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
united arab emirates:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
lebanon:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lebanon:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lebanon:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Lebanon | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lebanon:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lebanon:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Lebanon | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Lebanon | Not used in UAE |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
united arab emirates:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Lebanon | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Lebanon | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Lebanon | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Lebanon | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common through checkpoints | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for violations | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Lebanon | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when preparing to enter | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
united arab emirates:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Lebanon | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies; consult your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
lebanon:
112
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
lebanon:
112
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Lebanon | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may lead to substantial fines | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Fines and potential incarceration | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory for all passengers | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; often paid at stations | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lebanon:
Substantial fines
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay