Driving in Romania vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Romania and the United Arab Emirates, it's vital to understand their unique regulations and practices. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol policies, this comparison highlights crucial distinctions that can impact your journey. Safeguard your travels by familiarizing yourself with these essential driving guidelines in each country.
Lanes
| Romania | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left 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 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 | Yes | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | 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 | Limited, mainly in urban areas | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
romania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Right
romania:
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
romania:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
romania:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
romania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
romania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
romania:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
romania:
Not applicable
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
romania:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
romania:
Not commonly used
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Romania | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 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 | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
romania:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
romania:
30 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
romania:
90 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
romania:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
romania:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
romania:
130 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
romania:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
romania:
90 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
romania:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
romania:
Not commonly used
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
romania:
Yes, common practice
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Romania | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Romania | Not used in UAE |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Romanian; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
romania:
Not used in Romania
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Romania | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
romania:
Not allowed
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Romania | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspections required | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
romania:
International Driving Permit required
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
romania:
Displayed on the windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
romania:
Mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Romania | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use expected | Moderate use, not excessively |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
romania:
Moderate use expected
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Alcohol
| Romania | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits | 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 | Considerable fines for offenses | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
romania:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
romania:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Romania | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Call your insurance provider or a local service | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
romania:
112
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Romania | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Hefty fines and possible license suspension | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable; license points may be added | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist
united arab emirates:
Possible if fines are not paid