Driving in Austria vs Maldives: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Austria and the Maldives, understanding the distinct regulations and practices is essential for a safe journey. Key contrasts include driving on the right in Austria versus the left in the Maldives, along with varying speed limits and lane usage. Familiarizing yourself with these nuances will enhance your travel experience and ensure safer travels abroad.
Lanes
| Austria | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | 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 only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | 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, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
Driving Side
austria:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
Overtaking: On Left
austria:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
austria:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
austria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
austria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
maldives:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 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; fines may also be mailed. | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
austria:
50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
austria:
30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
austria:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
maldives:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Austria | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | 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 | German; symbols are standard | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
maldives:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
austria:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Austria | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
austria:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Austria | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on 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
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Austria | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
austria:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
austria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Austria | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
austria:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Austria | 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
austria:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
austria:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Austria | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
austria:
112
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, 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 | Fines apply | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
austria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time