Driving in Samoa vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
When comparing the road regulations of Samoa and the United Arab Emirates, distinct variations emerge that can significantly impact your travel experience. Key highlights include Samoa's left-side driving and relaxed speed limits versus the UAE's right-side driving, stricter speed enforcement, and comprehensive lane designations. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Samoa | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | 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 | 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. |
Driving Side
samoa:
Left
united arab emirates:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Left
samoa:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
samoa:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
samoa:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
united arab emirates:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
samoa:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
samoa:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Samoa | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 55-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 55-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 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
samoa:
25-40 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
samoa:
20 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
55-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
samoa:
55-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
55-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
Not applicable
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
samoa:
Not applicable
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
Not applicable
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
samoa:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
samoa:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Samoa | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Samoa | Not used in UAE |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Samoan; 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
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
samoa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Samoa | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
samoa:
Not allowed
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Samoa | 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 | 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: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
samoa:
Annual inspection required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
samoa:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
samoa:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Samoa | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Samoa | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.0% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
Limits: General Drivers
samoa:
0.08%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
samoa:
0.02%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Enforcement: Random Checks
samoa:
Common
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Roundabouts
| Samoa | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
united arab emirates:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Samoa | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 685-22-222 | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 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
samoa:
911
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
samoa:
685-22-222
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Samoa | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, 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 | ST$100 to ST$200 | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ST$50 to ST$300 | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
samoa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay