Driving in Bolivia vs. Maldives: Key Differences Explained
Explore the unique vehicular nuances between Bolivia and the Maldives as we delve into their distinct regulations and practices. From driving sides to speed limits, discover how these countries prioritize road safety in diverse ways. Understanding these contrasts is vital for ensuring a secure journey while traveling abroad.
Lanes
| Bolivia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| 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 | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, when safe and legal. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| 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 | 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: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Driving Side
bolivia:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bolivia:
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
bolivia:
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
bolivia:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bolivia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bolivia:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bolivia:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No, not commonly used | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued immediately | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bolivia:
30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
maldives:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Bolivia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Bolivia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
bolivia:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Bolivia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | 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
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bolivia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bolivia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bolivia:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bolivia | 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
bolivia:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
bolivia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this 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
bolivia:
911
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in 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 may apply, varies by location | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
bolivia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time