Driving in the Bahamas vs. Maldives: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of the Bahamas and the Maldives, distinct driving regulations and safety protocols come into play. Notably, while the Bahamas allows left-side overtaking, the Maldives permits it on the right. Additionally, alcohol limits vary significantly, with the Bahamas permitting a 0.08% blood alcohol concentration, contrasting starkly with the Maldives' zero-tolerance policy. Understanding these key contrasts is essential for a secure journey in either paradise.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Not allowed. | Yes, when safe and legal. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | 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 | No | Minimal |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahamas:
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
bahamas:
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
bahamas:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahamas:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | Not applicable |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
maldives:
Not applicable
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
maldives:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Bahamas | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| 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
bahamas:
Not used
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
bahamas:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahamas:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Bahamas | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
bahamas:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Bahamas | 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 | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Usually displayed on the vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bahamas:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bahamas:
0.08%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahamas:
0.00%; zero tolerance
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
bahamas:
Varies; can be substantial
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 right lane before exit when safe | Appropriate lanes as per signage |
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
maldives:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
bahamas:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
bahamas:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, 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 | $25 to $200, points may apply | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; 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
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahamas:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
bahamas:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time