Driving in Egypt vs Maldives: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Egypt and the Maldives, drivers encounter a fascinating array of rules and practices that influence their journeys. From contrasting lane usage to varying speed limits and stringent alcohol regulations, understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad. Explore the essential differences that shape safe travel in these unique destinations.
Lanes
| Egypt | 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: Usage | Typically used by buses and minibuses. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not consistently marked. | May be designated with road signs or markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Minimal |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles. | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often unmarked. | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits. | Not applicable |
Driving Side
egypt:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
egypt:
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
egypt:
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
egypt:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
egypt:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
egypt:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Typically used by buses and minibuses.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Not consistently marked.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Often unmarked.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
egypt:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits.
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Egypt | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
egypt:
40-60 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
egypt:
40 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
70-90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
egypt:
70-90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
70-90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
90-120 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
egypt:
90-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
80-90 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Egypt | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Egypt | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used to communicate with other drivers | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines can occur for excessive misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To signal other drivers or warn of presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not officially regulated | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Used in some situations due to high traffic density | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; symbols are standard | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with a red border and white background | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
egypt:
Not used in Egypt
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
egypt:
Commonly used to communicate with other drivers
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
egypt:
Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
egypt:
Fines can occur for excessive misuse
maldives:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
egypt:
To signal other drivers or warn of presence
maldives:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
egypt:
Not officially regulated
maldives:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
egypt:
Used in some situations due to high traffic density
maldives:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
egypt:
Arabic; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
egypt:
Triangles with a red border and white background
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Egypt | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise | 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
egypt:
Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
egypt:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
egypt:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Egypt | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Egyptian driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Provided after passing inspection | Usually displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
egypt:
Valid Egyptian driver's license required
maldives:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
egypt:
International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
egypt:
International Driving Permit required
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
egypt:
Mandatory annual inspection
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
egypt:
Provided after passing inspection
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
egypt:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Egypt | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Common in high traffic areas | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, though not always observed | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and allow passage | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
egypt:
Common in high traffic areas
maldives:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
egypt:
Common practice, though not always observed
maldives:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Limited
egypt:
Commonly used
maldives:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
egypt:
Frequent use compared to some countries
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
egypt:
Give way and allow passage
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Egypt | 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 | Conducted frequently | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in penalties and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
egypt:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
egypt:
0.02%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
egypt:
0.00%; zero tolerance
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
egypt:
Conducted frequently
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
egypt:
Can be substantial
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
egypt:
Can result in penalties and license suspension
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Egypt | 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
egypt:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
egypt:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Egypt | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
egypt:
122
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
egypt:
122
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
egypt:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Egypt | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for non-compliance | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
egypt:
Varies; fines can be significant
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
egypt:
Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Phone Use
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
egypt:
Significant fines and points on license
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
egypt:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time