Driving Differences: Madagascar vs. United Arab Emirates
Discover the fascinating contrasts in road regulations between Madagascar and the United Arab Emirates. From speed limits to lane markings, understanding these disparities is crucial for ensuring safety while navigating abroad. Notably, the UAE adopts stricter alcohol limits and advanced traffic management systems, while Madagascar showcases unique local practices. Stay informed for a safer journey!
Lanes
| Madagascar | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically not used. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 6 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Stay to the right lane when possible. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Available mainly in urban areas | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved mostly for buses. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be marked clearly in major cities. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Sparse | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles unless marked. | 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 |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes, when possible. | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are fixed. | Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
madagascar:
Typically not used.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Right
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
madagascar:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
united arab emirates:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Sparse
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
madagascar:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
madagascar:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Madagascar | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, particularly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common. | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
madagascar:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
madagascar:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
madagascar:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Not applicable
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
united arab emirates:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Madagascar | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in UAE |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | May apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French and Malagasy | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red borders | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
madagascar:
Not commonly used
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Allowed
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
united arab emirates:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
united arab emirates:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
united arab emirates:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
united arab emirates:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Madagascar | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless specified otherwise | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
madagascar:
Prohibited
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Madagascar | 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 recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for all vehicles | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Indication may vary | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
madagascar:
Indication may vary
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Road Etiquette
| Madagascar | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Use is more frequent in urban areas | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Significantly used for communication with other drivers | Moderate use, not excessively |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
united arab emirates:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
united arab emirates:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Pedestrians Priority
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
united arab emirates:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Madagascar | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.08% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
madagascar:
0.02%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
madagascar:
Can be substantial
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
madagascar:
Results in penalties
united arab emirates:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Madagascar | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Not commonly practiced | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
united arab emirates:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
united arab emirates:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Madagascar | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 117 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Could vary; commonly police contact | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
Contact: General Emergency
madagascar:
117
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Penalties And Fines
| Madagascar | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-use | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use while driving | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Monetary fines applied | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Determined by issuing authority | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay