Driving Differences: United Arab Emirates vs. United Kingdom
When traversing the roads of the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that significantly impact their travel experiences. From the side of the road one drives on to speed limits and traffic signaling, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring safety and compliance while navigating abroad.
Lanes
| United arab emirates | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on some roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 6 | List length: 5 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or three occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways. | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
united arab emirates:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
united arab emirates:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
united arab emirates:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
united arab emirates:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
united kingdom:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
united arab emirates:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
united arab emirates:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
united kingdom:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
united kingdom:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| United arab emirates | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25-40 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-140 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Less common; fines can be issued electronically | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
united arab emirates:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| United arab emirates | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in UAE | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and English; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
united arab emirates:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
united kingdom:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| United arab emirates | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
united arab emirates:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
united arab emirates:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| United arab emirates | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield after inspection | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
united arab emirates:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| United arab emirates | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use, not excessively | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| United arab emirates | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.0% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.0% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
united arab emirates:
0.0%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
united arab emirates:
0.0%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| United arab emirates | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
united arab emirates:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
united arab emirates:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| United arab emirates | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
united arab emirates:
999
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
united arab emirates:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| United arab emirates | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | AED 400, 4 black points | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AED 800, 4 black points | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AED 1000, points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay