Driving in Croatia vs Maldives: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Croatia and the Maldives, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices. Key contrasts include driving on the right in Croatia versus the left in the Maldives, along with varying speed limits and lane usage. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Croatia | 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 | Not commonly practiced. | 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Driving Side
croatia:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
croatia:
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
croatia:
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
croatia:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
croatia:
Not commonly practiced.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
croatia:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
croatia:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
croatia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
croatia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
croatia:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
croatia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
croatia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
croatia:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Croatia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 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 | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
croatia:
50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
croatia:
30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
130 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
croatia:
90 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
90 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
croatia:
Yes
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Croatia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Croatian; symbols are standard | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle with red border | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
croatia:
Not used
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
croatia:
Signal when entering and exiting
maldives:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
croatia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
croatia:
Croatian; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
croatia:
Triangle with red border
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Croatia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | 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
croatia:
Not allowed
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
croatia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
croatia:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Croatia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens | 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 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
croatia:
Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
croatia:
International Driving Permit required
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
croatia:
Annual inspection required
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
croatia:
Displayed on windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
croatia:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
croatia:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Croatia | 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
croatia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
croatia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Croatia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
croatia:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
croatia:
Common
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
croatia:
Can be substantial
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Croatia | 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
croatia:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
croatia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Croatia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 92 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or check with your insurance provider | 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
croatia:
112
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
croatia:
92
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
croatia:
188 or check with your insurance provider
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
croatia:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
croatia:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Croatia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines possible | 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 enforced | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; stated at the time of fine | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
croatia:
Varies; significant fines possible
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
croatia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
croatia:
Fines enforced
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
croatia:
Fines enforced
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
croatia:
Significant fines
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
croatia:
Yes, often
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
croatia:
Varies; stated at the time of fine
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time