Driving in Poland vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Poland and the United Arab Emirates, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their journey. From lane markings to speed limits, these two nations offer unique driving environments. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure and informed experience behind the wheel while abroad.
Lanes
| Poland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings, such as during road works. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads. | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 6 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' on the road. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | 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: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
poland:
Used for temporary markings, such as during road works.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
poland:
Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe.
united arab emirates:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
poland:
Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
poland:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
poland:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
poland:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
poland:
Labeled 'BUS' on the road.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
poland:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
poland:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
poland:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
poland:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Poland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation. | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
poland:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
poland:
20 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
poland:
90 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
poland:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
poland:
70 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
poland:
140 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
poland:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
poland:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
poland:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation.
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Poland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Signals a change to green is imminent. | Not used in UAE |
| Use Of Indicators: Mandatory | Yes, for all turns and lane changes. | Yes, for all turns and lane changes |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting. | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents. | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse. | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages. | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Polish; symbols are standard. | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border. | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
poland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
united arab emirates:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
poland:
Signals a change to green is imminent.
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Use Of Indicators: Mandatory
poland:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes.
united arab emirates:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
poland:
Signal when exiting.
united arab emirates:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
poland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
united arab emirates:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
poland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
poland:
Fines may apply for misuse.
united arab emirates:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
poland:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
united arab emirates:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
poland:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
united arab emirates:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
poland:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
united arab emirates:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
poland:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
united arab emirates:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
poland:
Polish; symbols are standard.
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Priority
poland:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
united arab emirates:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
Traffic Signs: Warning
poland:
Triangular with red border.
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Poland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed only if a green arrow is present. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs. | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows. | Yes, marked with arrows |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited. | Prohibited |
Right Turn On Red
poland:
Allowed only if a green arrow is present.
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Left Turn: General
poland:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
united arab emirates:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
poland:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
united arab emirates:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
poland:
Varies by location; check for signs.
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Special Turn Lanes
poland:
Yes, marked with arrows.
united arab emirates:
Yes, marked with arrows
Overtaking While Turning
poland:
Prohibited.
united arab emirates:
Prohibited
Documentation
| Poland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required. | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit. | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory. | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every year. | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield. | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
poland:
Valid driver's license required.
united arab emirates:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
poland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended.
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
poland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit.
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
poland:
Liability insurance mandatory.
united arab emirates:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
poland:
Mandatory every year.
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
poland:
Displayed on windshield.
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
poland:
Mandatory.
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
poland:
Mandatory.
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Poland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply. | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized. | Discouraged and may be penalized |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations. | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries. | Moderate use, not excessively |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
poland:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
united arab emirates:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
poland:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
united arab emirates:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
poland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
united arab emirates:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
poland:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
united arab emirates:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
poland:
Only in emergency situations.
united arab emirates:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
poland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Pedestrians Priority
poland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
united arab emirates:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
poland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
poland:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
united arab emirates:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Poland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability. | Check if medication affects driving ability |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently. | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial. | Varies; can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses. | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension. | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
poland:
0.02%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
poland:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
poland:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
poland:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
united arab emirates:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
poland:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
united arab emirates:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
poland:
Common; checkpoints used frequently.
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
poland:
Varies; can be substantial.
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
poland:
Possible for severe offenses.
united arab emirates:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
poland:
Can result in license suspension.
united arab emirates:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Poland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit. | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight. | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Priority: Entering
poland:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
united arab emirates:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
poland:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
united arab emirates:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
poland:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
united arab emirates:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
poland:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
united arab emirates:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
poland:
Use for first exit or straight.
united arab emirates:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
poland:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
united arab emirates:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Poland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 997 | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 981 or through your insurance provider. | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
poland:
112
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
poland:
997
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
poland:
981 or through your insurance provider.
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
poland:
Mandatory.
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
poland:
Mandatory.
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Poland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles. | 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 | Mandatory, fines apply. | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use without hands-free device. | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and license points apply. | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; usually paid online or by mail. | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay. | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid. | Same as residents; must be paid |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid. | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
poland:
Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles.
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
poland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
poland:
Mandatory, fines apply.
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
poland:
Fines apply for use without hands-free device.
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
poland:
Fines and license points apply.
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
poland:
Rare; usually paid online or by mail.
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
poland:
Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay.
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
poland:
Same as residents; must be paid.
united arab emirates:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
poland:
Possible if fines are not paid.
united arab emirates:
Possible if fines are not paid