Driving Safely: New Zealand vs. United Arab Emirates
When exploring the roads of New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates, drivers encounter distinct regulations and customs that shape their journeys. From varying speed limits and lane usage to unique rules on overtaking and alcohol limits, understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring safety and compliance while navigating these diverse landscapes.
Lanes
| New zealand | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | 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 | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during certain hours. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and green pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Driving Side
new zealand:
Left
united arab emirates:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Right
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
new zealand:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
united arab emirates:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
new zealand:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
new zealand:
Not applicable
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| New zealand | 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 | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are usually mailed after citation | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
new zealand:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
new zealand:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| New zealand | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in New Zealand | Not used in UAE |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
united arab emirates:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
new zealand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| New zealand | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
new zealand:
Not allowed
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| New zealand | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Regular inspection required; proof may be required | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
new zealand:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
new zealand:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| New zealand | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Pedestrians Priority
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
united arab emirates:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| New zealand | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, can vary widely | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and other penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
new zealand:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
new zealand:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
new zealand:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
united arab emirates:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| New zealand | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
united arab emirates:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| New zealand | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 111 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 111 | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
new zealand:
111
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
new zealand:
111
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| New zealand | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $150, points may also apply | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $150, points on license | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually paid online or by mail | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 28 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
new zealand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
new zealand:
$150, points on license
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay