Driving in Cyprus vs. Maldives: Key Differences Explained
When embarking on a journey through Cyprus or the Maldives, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for a secure experience. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and the approach to overtaking. While Cyprus permits left-side overtaking, the Maldives emphasizes strict adherence to local traffic rules, ensuring a safe adventure in both destinations.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic | 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. | Yes, when safe and legal. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Usually reserved for public transport. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. | 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
Overtaking: On Left
cyprus:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cyprus:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
cyprus:
50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cyprus:
Yes
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Cyprus | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | 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 | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
maldives:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
cyprus:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Cyprus | 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
cyprus:
Not allowed
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
cyprus:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Cyprus | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits without additional permits | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic 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 | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cyprus:
Accepted for short visits without additional permits
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
cyprus:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
cyprus:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately | 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
cyprus:
Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately
maldives:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Lane Usage: Right
cyprus:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
cyprus:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
cyprus:
112
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
cyprus:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time