Driving in Denmark vs. Maldives: Key Differences
When exploring the distinct driving landscapes of Denmark and the Maldives, several key contrasts emerge. From the side of the road you navigate—right in Denmark versus left in the Maldives—to varying speed limits and road etiquette, understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a safe and smooth journey abroad. Discover how these two nations approach road safety differently.
Lanes
| Denmark | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways. | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used temporarily in construction zones. | Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic. | 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 bicycles and taxis. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions. | 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 often green or red colored pavement. | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
Driving Side
denmark:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
denmark:
Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways.
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
denmark:
Used temporarily in construction zones.
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
Overtaking: On Left
denmark:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
denmark:
Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
denmark:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
denmark:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
denmark:
Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
denmark:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
denmark:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
denmark:
Yes
maldives:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
denmark:
Electronic signs display current limits.
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Denmark | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for minor offenses. | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
denmark:
50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
denmark:
30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
110-130 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
denmark:
90-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
denmark:
80 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
denmark:
Yes
maldives:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
denmark:
Electronic signs display current limits
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
denmark:
Yes, for minor offenses.
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Denmark | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green. | 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 | Danish; symbols are standard | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
denmark:
Used before green.
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
denmark:
Signal when entering and exiting
maldives:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
denmark:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
denmark:
Danish; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
denmark:
Triangular with red border
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Denmark | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed unless signed |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign. | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
denmark:
Not allowed
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
Left Turn: General
denmark:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians.
maldives:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
denmark:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign.
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
denmark:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Denmark | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles | 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 | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
denmark:
Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
denmark:
International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
denmark:
Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
denmark:
Displayed on the windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
denmark:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Denmark | 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
denmark:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
denmark:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Denmark | 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; carried out by the police | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
denmark:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
denmark:
0.02%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
denmark:
0.00%; zero tolerance
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
denmark:
Common; carried out by the police
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
denmark:
Can be substantial
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Denmark | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if taking any exit other than first | 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
denmark:
Signal left if taking any exit other than first
maldives:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Lane Usage: Right
denmark:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
denmark:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Denmark | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact general emergency to report traffic issues | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurer or patrol services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
denmark:
112
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
denmark:
Contact general emergency to report traffic issues
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
denmark:
Contact your insurer or patrol services
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
denmark:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended but not mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Denmark | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free required | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and possible license points | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 days | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
denmark:
Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
denmark:
Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
denmark:
Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
denmark:
Fines apply, use of hands-free required
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
denmark:
Significant fines and possible license points
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
denmark:
Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
denmark:
Varies; typically within 14 days
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time