Driving in Sweden vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for safe travels. This comparison between Sweden and the United Arab Emirates reveals significant distinctions, from lane markings to speed limits. Notably, Sweden emphasizes caution with lower alcohol limits, while the UAE allows overtaking more freely. Equip yourself with knowledge for a secure journey!
Lanes
| Sweden | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions. | No crossing in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn 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, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by 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: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
united arab emirates:
No crossing in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
united arab emirates:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
sweden:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
sweden:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
sweden:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
sweden:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
sweden:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Sweden | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines can be issued directly. | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
sweden:
30-50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
sweden:
30 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
sweden:
70-100 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
sweden:
70-100 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
sweden:
70-90 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
sweden:
90-120 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
sweden:
90-100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
sweden:
80-90 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Sweden | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not common in Sweden. | Not used in UAE |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting. | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Use is generally discouraged. | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse. | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages. | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Swedish; symbols are standard. | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
sweden:
Yellow
united arab emirates:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
united arab emirates:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
united arab emirates:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
united arab emirates:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
united arab emirates:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
united arab emirates:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
united arab emirates:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
united arab emirates:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Priority
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
united arab emirates:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
Traffic Signs: Warning
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Sweden | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed except where prohibited by signs. | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows. | Yes, marked with arrows |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited. | Prohibited |
Right Turn On Red
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Left Turn: General
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
united arab emirates:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
united arab emirates:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Special Turn Lanes
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
united arab emirates:
Yes, marked with arrows
Overtaking While Turning
sweden:
Prohibited.
united arab emirates:
Prohibited
Documentation
| Sweden | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required. | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. | 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 |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory. | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required. | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Proof may be required to be shown. | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended. | Recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
united arab emirates:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
united arab emirates:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
sweden:
Mandatory.
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Sweden | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply. | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized. | Discouraged and may be penalized |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations. | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Rarely used except for emergencies. | Moderate use, not excessively |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary. | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
united arab emirates:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
united arab emirates:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
united arab emirates:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
united arab emirates:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
united arab emirates:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Pedestrians Priority
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
united arab emirates:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
united arab emirates:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Sweden | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; 0.00%. | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability. | Check if medication affects driving ability |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level. | Varies; can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for high levels or repeat offenses. | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension. | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
sweden:
0.02%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
sweden:
0.02%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
united arab emirates:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
united arab emirates:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
united arab emirates:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
united arab emirates:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Sweden | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if you plan to take the first exit. | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit. | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight. | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Priority: Entering
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
united arab emirates:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
united arab emirates:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
united arab emirates:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
united arab emirates:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
united arab emirates:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
united arab emirates:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Sweden | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended. | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
sweden:
112
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
sweden:
Mandatory.
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Sweden | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, 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 | SEK 1500, points on license. | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; fines and possible points on license. | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can be issued directly. | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Typically within 30 days to pay. | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid. | Same as residents; must be paid |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid. | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
united arab emirates:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.
united arab emirates:
Possible if fines are not paid