Driving Differences: El Salvador vs Maldives Explained
When navigating the roads of El Salvador and the Maldives, drivers encounter significant variances in regulations and practices. Notably, while El Salvador drives on the right side, the Maldives adheres to left-side travel. Understanding these distinctions, from speed limits to lane usage, is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in each unique environment.
Lanes
| El salvador | 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 | 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
el salvador:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
el salvador:
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
el salvador:
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
el salvador:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
el salvador:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
el salvador:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
el salvador:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
el salvador:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
el salvador:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
el salvador:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
el salvador:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
el salvador:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
el salvador:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
el salvador:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| El salvador | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
el salvador:
20-40 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
el salvador:
20-30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
el salvador:
80-90 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
el salvador:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
el salvador:
No
maldives:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
el salvador:
Yes
maldives:
Common
Signals
| El salvador | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not common in El Salvador | 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 | Spanish; 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
el salvador:
Not common in El Salvador
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
el salvador:
Signal when entering and exiting
maldives:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
el salvador:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
el salvador:
Spanish; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
el salvador:
Triangle-shaped with red border
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| El salvador | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | 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
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
el salvador:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| El salvador | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | 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
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
el salvador:
Mandatory annual inspection
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
el salvador:
Displayed on the windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
el salvador:
Required
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
el salvador:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| El salvador | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas to communicate | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Yield and make way | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
el salvador:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
el salvador:
Frequent use in some areas to communicate
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
el salvador:
Yield and make way
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| El salvador | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines and penalties | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
el salvador:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
el salvador:
0.02%
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
el salvador:
Common
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
el salvador:
Substantial fines and penalties
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| El salvador | 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
el salvador:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
el salvador:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| El salvador | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 120 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 121 | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
el salvador:
911
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
el salvador:
120
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
el salvador:
121
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
el salvador:
Required
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
el salvador:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| El salvador | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $20 to $100 | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $20 to $50 | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $30 to $100 | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $50 to $200 | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, frequently enforced | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
el salvador:
Varies; $20 to $100
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
el salvador:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
el salvador:
$20 to $50
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
el salvador:
$30 to $100
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
el salvador:
$50 to $200
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
el salvador:
Yes, frequently enforced
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
el salvador:
Typically 30 days to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time