Driving in Brazil vs. Maldives: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Brazil and the Maldives, significant contrasts in traffic regulations and practices emerge. From driving on different sides of the road to varying speed limits and lane usages, understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad. Prepare to explore essential insights that enhance your driving experience in both countries.
Lanes
| Brazil | 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 Right | Yes | Yes, when safe and legal. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; 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: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Driving Side
brazil:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brazil:
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
brazil:
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
brazil:
Yes
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
brazil:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brazil:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brazil:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brazil:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
brazil:
40-60 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brazil:
30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brazil:
Yes
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Brazil | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; 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
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
brazil:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Brazil | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
brazil:
Not allowed
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
brazil:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Brazil | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year for passenger vehicles | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Usually displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brazil:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brazil | 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
brazil:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brazil:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Brazil | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Brazil | 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
brazil:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
brazil:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, especially at night | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brazil:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time