Driving Differences: South Africa vs. United Arab Emirates
When navigating the roads of South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, understanding their distinct driving regulations is essential for a smooth journey. Key contrasts, such as driving on the left versus right side and varying speed limits, significantly impact road safety. Equip yourself with knowledge to ensure a secure driving experience in these unique locales.
Lanes
| South africa | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on roads. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless turning. | 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 | Yes | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. | 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. |
Driving Side
south africa:
Left
united arab emirates:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
united arab emirates:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
south africa:
Allowed
united arab emirates:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
south africa:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
united arab emirates:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
south africa:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
south africa:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
south africa:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
south africa:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
south africa:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south africa:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| South africa | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100-140 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, common in South Africa | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
south africa:
40 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
south africa:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
south africa:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
south africa:
80-100 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
south africa:
120 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
south africa:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south africa:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| South africa | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in South Africa | 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; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with a red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| South africa | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
south africa:
Not allowed
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| South africa | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not applicable | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
south africa:
Not applicable
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
south africa:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| South africa | 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
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| South africa | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadblocks are used frequently | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies based on offense | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and additional fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
south africa:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
south africa:
0.02%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
south africa:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
united arab emirates:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| South africa | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
united arab emirates:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| South africa | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 10111 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call general emergency number | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
south africa:
112 or 10111
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
south africa:
Call general emergency number
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| South africa | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed | 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 | Common fine; mandatory use | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, common with road checkpoints | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
south africa:
Fines applicable
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay