Driving in Bhutan vs. Maldives: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Bhutan and the Maldives, understanding their unique traffic regulations and road customs is essential for ensuring a safe journey. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol restrictions, which vary significantly between the two nations. Familiarizing yourself with these distinctions will enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bhutan | 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 Right | Yes | Yes, when safe and legal. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | 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
bhutan:
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
bhutan:
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 Right
bhutan:
Yes
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
maldives:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Bhutan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | 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
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
bhutan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Bhutan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
bhutan:
Not allowed
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
bhutan:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Bhutan | 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 vehicle inspection required | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Usually displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bhutan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bhutan | 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
bhutan:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
bhutan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time