Driving in Australia vs Maldives: Key Safety Differences
When traversing the roads of Australia and the Maldives, drivers encounter distinct regulations and road usage practices. Key differences include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol consumption thresholds, which vary significantly. Understanding these contrasts is vital for ensuring a secure and smooth journey in both countries.
Lanes
| Australia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels. | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes. | Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Yes, when safe and legal. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Bus Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
australia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
australia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
maldives:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
maldives:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Australia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; may vary by area. | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
australia:
50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
australia:
40 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
australia:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
maldives:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Australia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used. | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
australia:
Not commonly used.
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
australia:
Signal when entering and exiting
maldives:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
australia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
australia:
English; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
australia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Australia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | 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
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
australia:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Australia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states | Usually displayed on the vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Australia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
australia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Australia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance in all states. | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadside breath testing often conducted | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
australia:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
australia:
0.02%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Australia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal right if intending to turn immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Appropriate lanes as per signage |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe | Appropriate lanes as per signage |
Signaling: Entering
australia:
Signal right if intending to turn immediately
maldives:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
australia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
maldives:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
australia:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Australia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
australia:
000
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Australia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
australia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time