Driving in Switzerland vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates, drivers encounter unique regulations and practices. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol thresholds, with Switzerland emphasizing stricter drink-driving laws compared to the UAE's zero-tolerance policy. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in each country.
Lanes
| Switzerland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used in temporary traffic management. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. | 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: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
united arab emirates:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
switzerland:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
switzerland:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
switzerland:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
switzerland:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
switzerland:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Switzerland | 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 | 80 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 | 120 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
switzerland:
30 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
switzerland:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
switzerland:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
switzerland:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
switzerland:
120 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
switzerland:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
switzerland:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Switzerland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepare to go | 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 | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
switzerland:
Prepare to go
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
switzerland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Switzerland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by sign | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Switzerland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses | 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 | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
switzerland:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Switzerland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
switzerland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Alcohol
| Switzerland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police conduct random breath tests | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; fines can be based on income | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
switzerland:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
switzerland:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
switzerland:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
united arab emirates:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Switzerland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | No signaling normally required when entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for the first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
united arab emirates:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Lane Usage: Right
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
united arab emirates:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Switzerland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 140 | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
switzerland:
112
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
switzerland:
117
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
switzerland:
140
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Switzerland | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension | 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 | CHF 60 | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | CHF 100 | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; substantial fines | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can be issued on the spot | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
switzerland:
CHF 60
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
switzerland:
CHF 100
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay