Driving in Albania vs Maldives: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Albania and the Maldives, travelers will encounter distinct driving customs and regulations that shape their experiences. Key differences include driving sides—right in Albania versus left in the Maldives—as well as varying speed limits and traffic protocols. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring safe journeys in each unique environment.
Lanes
| Albania | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, when safe and legal. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | May be designated with road signs or markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Minimal |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Driving Side
albania:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
albania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
albania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
Overtaking: On Left
albania:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
albania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
albania:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
albania:
No
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
albania:
N/A
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
albania:
N/A
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
albania:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
albania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
albania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
albania:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Albania | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be paid at the scene. | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
albania:
40 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
albania:
30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
albania:
70 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
70 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
110 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
albania:
90 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
90 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
albania:
Yes; fines can be paid at the scene.
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Albania | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Albania | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
albania:
Not used in Albania
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
albania:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
albania:
Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
albania:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Albania | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
albania:
Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
albania:
Varies by locality; check for signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
albania:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Albania | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Usually displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
albania:
Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
albania:
Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
albania:
Mandatory; proof required
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
albania:
Displayed on windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
albania:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
albania:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Albania | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
albania:
To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake
maldives:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
albania:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
albania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Albania | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for violations | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
albania:
0.01%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
albania:
0.00%; zero tolerance
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
albania:
Common, especially during holidays
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
albania:
Substantial fines for violations
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Albania | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Appropriate lanes as per signage |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Appropriate lanes as per signage |
Lane Usage: Right
albania:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
albania:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Albania | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 129 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
albania:
112
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
albania:
129
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
albania:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
albania:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Albania | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines over 1,000 ALL | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; potential fines and penalties | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines over 5,000 ALL | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
albania:
Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
albania:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
albania:
Fines over 1,000 ALL
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
albania:
Varies; potential fines and penalties
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
albania:
Fines over 5,000 ALL
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
albania:
Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
albania:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time