Driving in Colombia vs. Maldives: Key Differences Revealed
When it comes to navigating the roads of Colombia and the Maldives, distinct regulations and practices emerge, shaping the driving experience in each nation. From lane usage to speed limits and safety protocols, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Discover the vital distinctions that could influence your travels in these two vibrant locations.
Lanes
| Colombia | 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 | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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. |
Driving Side
colombia:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
colombia:
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
colombia:
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
colombia:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
colombia:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
colombia:
30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Colombia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; 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
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
colombia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Colombia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
colombia:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Colombia | 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 inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | 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
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | 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 right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
colombia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
colombia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Colombia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Colombia | 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
colombia:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
colombia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside 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
colombia:
123
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, 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 | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
colombia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time