Driving in Saudi Arabia vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
When comparing driving regulations between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, key distinctions emerge. From lane markings and speed limits to the presence of bus lanes and alcohol regulations, understanding these variations is essential for ensuring safe travels. This guide will help you navigate the unique road rules of both nations effectively.
Lanes
| Saudi arabia | 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 | 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 | Yes | Yes, in some areas |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
saudi arabia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Right
saudi arabia:
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
saudi arabia:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
saudi arabia:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
saudi arabia:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
saudi arabia:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
saudi arabia:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
saudi arabia:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
saudi arabia:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Saudi arabia | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120-140 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
saudi arabia:
30-40 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
saudi arabia:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
saudi arabia:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Saudi arabia | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Saudi Arabia | 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 | Arabic; 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
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
saudi arabia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
saudi arabia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Saudi arabia | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
saudi arabia:
Not allowed
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
saudi arabia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Saudi arabia | 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 | Mandatory periodic inspection required | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Saudi arabia | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use for communication on the road | Moderate use, not excessively |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Alcohol
| Saudi arabia | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 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, random checkpoints are used | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; possible imprisonment | Varies; can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Frequent for offenses | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
saudi arabia:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
saudi arabia:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
saudi arabia:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
united arab emirates:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
united arab emirates:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Saudi arabia | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
saudi arabia:
993
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
saudi arabia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Saudi arabia | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, imprisonment | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
saudi arabia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay