Driving in Armenia vs. Maldives: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Armenia and the Maldives, drivers must adapt to significant variations in regulations and practices. From the driving side—right in Armenia versus left in the Maldives—to distinct speed limits and unique road markings, understanding these disparities is essential for ensuring safe and responsible travel. Explore our comprehensive comparison for vital insights!
Lanes
| Armenia | 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 | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | 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
armenia:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
armenia:
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
armenia:
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
armenia:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
armenia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
armenia:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
armenia:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
armenia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
armenia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
armenia:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
armenia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
armenia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
armenia:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
armenia:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Armenia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
armenia:
40-60 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
armenia:
20 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
armenia:
90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
armenia:
90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
armenia:
70 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
armenia:
110 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
armenia:
90 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
armenia:
90 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
armenia:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Signals
| Armenia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Armenia | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Armenian; symbols are standard | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
armenia:
Not used in Armenia
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
armenia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
armenia:
Unnecessary use discouraged
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
armenia:
Armenian; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
armenia:
Triangular-shaped with red border
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Armenia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
armenia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
armenia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
armenia:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Armenia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | 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
armenia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
armenia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
armenia:
Annual inspection required
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
armenia:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
armenia:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
armenia:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Armenia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
armenia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
armenia:
Pull over and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Armenia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
armenia:
0.04%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
armenia:
0.02%
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
armenia:
Common
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
armenia:
Varies; can be substantial
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Armenia | 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
armenia:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
armenia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Armenia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 104 | 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
armenia:
911
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
armenia:
104
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
armenia:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
armenia:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Armenia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines and points on license | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; fines apply | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applied | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applied, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
armenia:
Varies; fines and points on license
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
armenia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
armenia:
Varies; fines apply
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
armenia:
Fines applied
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
armenia:
Fines applied, points on license
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
armenia:
Common
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
armenia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time