Driving Differences: Chile vs Maldives for Safe Travel
When navigating the roads of Chile and the Maldives, travelers encounter striking contrasts in traffic regulations and driving norms. While Chileans drive on the right with diverse lane usage, Maldivians adhere to the left side and unique rules for overtaking. Understanding these variations is vital for ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience behind the wheel in these distinct locations.
Lanes
| Chile | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. | Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless 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 | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked 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 sometimes 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
chile:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
Overtaking: On Left
chile:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
chile:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
chile:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
chile:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Chile | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
chile:
50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Chile | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
chile:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Chile | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | 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
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
chile:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Chile | 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 | Required annually | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on 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
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
chile:
Displayed on windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
chile:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Chile | 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
chile:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
chile:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Chile | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Chile | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| 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: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
maldives:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Lane Usage: Right
chile:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
chile:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Chile | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | 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
chile:
133
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
chile:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time