Driving in Azerbaijan vs Maldives: Key Differences Explained
Exploring the diverse landscapes of Azerbaijan and the Maldives reveals significant contrasts in their roadway regulations and driving norms. While Azerbaijan drives on the right and employs variable speed limits, the Maldives adheres to left-side driving with strict zero tolerance for alcohol. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in either destination.
Lanes
| Azerbaijan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the center on undivided 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 | In some cases, such as if 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 primarily for buses and sometimes other public transport vehicles. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked by road signs. | May be designated with road signs or markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Minimal |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mainly in major cities and occasionally shared with bus lanes. | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Often designated for buses and public transport. | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
Driving Side
azerbaijan:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
azerbaijan:
Marks the center on undivided roads.
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
azerbaijan:
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
azerbaijan:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
azerbaijan:
In some cases, such as if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
azerbaijan:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
azerbaijan:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
azerbaijan:
Reserved primarily for buses and sometimes other public transport vehicles.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
azerbaijan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked by road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
azerbaijan:
Limited
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
azerbaijan:
Mainly in major cities and occasionally shared with bus lanes.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
azerbaijan:
N/A
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
azerbaijan:
Limited
maldives:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
azerbaijan:
Often designated for buses and public transport.
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
azerbaijan:
Yes
maldives:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
azerbaijan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Azerbaijan | 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 | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 110 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 practice; fines can also be mailed. | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
azerbaijan:
40-60 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
azerbaijan:
20 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
azerbaijan:
90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
azerbaijan:
90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
azerbaijan:
90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
azerbaijan:
Yes
maldives:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
azerbaijan:
Electronic signs display current limits
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
azerbaijan:
Common practice; fines can also be mailed.
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Azerbaijan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Azerbaijan | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Azerbaijani; symbols are standard | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
azerbaijan:
Not used in Azerbaijan
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
azerbaijan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
azerbaijan:
Azerbaijani; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
azerbaijan:
Triangle-shaped with red border
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Azerbaijan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed, unless a green arrow is shown | 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
azerbaijan:
Generally not allowed, unless a green arrow is shown
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
azerbaijan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
azerbaijan:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Azerbaijan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | 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 | Annual technical inspection required | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Provided upon successful inspection | 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
azerbaijan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
azerbaijan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
azerbaijan:
Annual technical inspection required
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
azerbaijan:
Provided upon successful inspection
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
azerbaijan:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
azerbaijan:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Azerbaijan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| 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
azerbaijan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
azerbaijan:
Moderate use compared to some countries
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
azerbaijan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Azerbaijan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasional; fines and penalties apply | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
azerbaijan:
0.03%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
azerbaijan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
azerbaijan:
Occasional; fines and penalties apply
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
azerbaijan:
Can be substantial
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Azerbaijan | 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
azerbaijan:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
azerbaijan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Azerbaijan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 102 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Call your insurance provider or local service | 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
azerbaijan:
112
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
azerbaijan:
102
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
azerbaijan:
Call your insurance provider or local service
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
azerbaijan:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
azerbaijan:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Azerbaijan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant depending on excess speed | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Significant fines | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Significant fines, possible license points | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; and fines can also be paid online or by mail | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
azerbaijan:
Varies; can be significant depending on excess speed
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
azerbaijan:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
azerbaijan:
Significant fines
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
azerbaijan:
Significant fines, possible license points
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
azerbaijan:
Significant fines, points on license
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
azerbaijan:
Possible; and fines can also be paid online or by mail
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
azerbaijan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time