Driving Differences: Spain vs United Arab Emirates
Explore the intriguing contrasts between driving regulations in Spain and the United Arab Emirates. From speed limits and lane usage to alcohol thresholds, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Dive into the essential distinctions that can influence your driving experience in these two diverse nations.
Lanes
| Spain | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. | 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 taxis. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; 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 | Yes | Yes, in some areas |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Right
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
spain:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
spain:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
spain:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
spain:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Spain | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 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 |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly used | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
spain:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
spain:
20-30 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
spain:
90 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
spain:
80-90 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
spain:
70-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
spain:
120 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
spain:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
spain:
90 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
spain:
Yes, commonly used
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Spain | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Spain | 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 | Spanish; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with white background and red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
spain:
Not used in Spain
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
spain:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Spain | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Spain | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; must carry license. | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. | 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 windshield in some areas. | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
spain:
Mandatory.
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
spain:
Mandatory.
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Spain | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Used more frequently in urgent situations | Moderate use, not excessively |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Alcohol
| Spain | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe penalties, including high fines | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
spain:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
spain:
0.03%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
united arab emirates:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Spain | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check with local authorities | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or RACE | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
spain:
112
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
spain:
Check with local authorities
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
spain:
Mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Spain | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines and potential imprisonment | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €200, mandatory use | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €200, points on license | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €200, points on license | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; discount if paid promptly. | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
spain:
€200, mandatory use
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
spain:
€200, points on license
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
spain:
€200, points on license
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay