Driving in Dominican Republic vs Maldives: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of the Dominican Republic and the Maldives, understanding their unique traffic regulations and practices is essential for ensuring a secure journey. Key distinctions include driving on opposite sides, varying speed limits, and specific lane usages. Familiarizing yourself with these nuances can greatly enhance your travel experience and safety abroad.
Lanes
| Dominican republic | 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, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | May be designated with road signs or markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Minimal |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas. | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often not marked. | 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
dominican republic:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
dominican republic:
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
dominican republic:
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
dominican republic:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
dominican republic:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
dominican republic:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Limited
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
dominican republic:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Dominican republic | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No; speed checks are done by police radar | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible for traffic infractions | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
dominican republic:
40 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
70 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
70 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
90 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
80 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
maldives:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Dominican republic | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Dominican Republic | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used in many situations | 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
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
dominican republic:
Spanish; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
dominican republic:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Dominican republic | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
dominican republic:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Dominican republic | 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 | Yes, annual inspection required | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Usually displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Dominican republic | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used more frequently than in some countries | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | 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
dominican republic:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Limited
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
maldives:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
dominican republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Dominican republic | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in arrest and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
dominican republic:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Dominican republic | 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
dominican republic:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
dominican republic:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Dominican republic | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or designated local numbers | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required and recommended as a safety measure | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
dominican republic:
911
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Dominican republic | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines for non-compliance with signals | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for common violations | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
dominican republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time