Driving Differences: Senegal vs United Arab Emirates
When exploring road regulations, understanding the nuances between Senegal and the United Arab Emirates is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and emergency contact numbers. While both countries prioritize pedestrian rights, their approaches to traffic enforcement and vehicle inspection reveal distinct driving cultures that every traveler should comprehend.
Lanes
| Senegal | 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 | Yes | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
senegal:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Right
senegal:
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
senegal:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
senegal:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
senegal:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
senegal:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
senegal:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
senegal:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
senegal:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
senegal:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
senegal:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Senegal | 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 | 110 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 | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
senegal:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
senegal:
30 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
senegal:
90 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
senegal:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
senegal:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
senegal:
110 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
senegal:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
senegal:
90 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
senegal:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
senegal:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
senegal:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Senegal | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Senegal | 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 | French; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
senegal:
Not used in Senegal
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
senegal:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
senegal:
French; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
senegal:
Triangle-shaped with red border
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Senegal | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
senegal:
Not commonly allowed
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
senegal:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Senegal | 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; 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: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
senegal:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
senegal:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
senegal:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
senegal:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
senegal:
Mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Senegal | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | 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 |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
senegal:
Frequent use compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Pedestrians Priority
senegal:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
united arab emirates:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Alcohol
| Senegal | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
senegal:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
senegal:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
senegal:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
senegal:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
senegal:
Can be substantial
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Senegal | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 18 or 17 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 | 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: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
senegal:
18 or 17
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
senegal:
17
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
senegal:
Check with your insurance provider
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
senegal:
Mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Senegal | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 10,000 CFA to 50,000 CFA | 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 | 10,000 CFA | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; significant fines | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; substantial fines | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; often required immediately | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 7 to 30 days | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
senegal:
Varies; 10,000 CFA to 50,000 CFA
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
senegal:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
senegal:
10,000 CFA
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
senegal:
Varies; significant fines
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
senegal:
Varies; substantial fines
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
senegal:
Yes; often required immediately
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
senegal:
Varies; typically 7 to 30 days
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay