Driving Differences: United Arab Emirates vs. Vanuatu
The driving landscapes of the United Arab Emirates and Vanuatu offer distinct experiences for motorists. While the UAE boasts advanced road systems with variable speed limits and bus lanes, Vanuatu emphasizes simpler road etiquette and lower speed restrictions. Understanding these nuances is crucial for ensuring road safety and a smooth journey in both nations.
Lanes
| United arab emirates | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on some roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 6 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or three occupants | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways. | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
vanuatu:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
vanuatu:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Presence
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
vanuatu:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
united arab emirates:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| United arab emirates | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-140 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Less common; fines can be issued electronically | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
vanuatu:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
united arab emirates:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
united arab emirates:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| United arab emirates | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in UAE | Not used in Vanuatu |
| 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 | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
vanuatu:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| United arab emirates | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| United arab emirates | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield after inspection | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but 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
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
united arab emirates:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
united arab emirates:
Recommended
vanuatu:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| United arab emirates | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 to the side and stop, if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
vanuatu:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| United arab emirates | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.0% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.0% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: General Drivers
united arab emirates:
0.0%
vanuatu:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
united arab emirates:
0.0%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
united arab emirates:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| United arab emirates | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
| 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
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
united arab emirates:
Recommended
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| United arab emirates | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license | Varies; can be significant |
| 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 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AED 800, 4 black points | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AED 1000, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically | Possible; or through police stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
vanuatu:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay