Driving in Fiji vs Maldives: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the unique road regulations of Fiji and the Maldives, travelers can uncover significant distinctions in traffic norms and safety measures. From speed limits to lane markings, both nations offer contrasting guidelines that can impact your journey. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Fiji | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted. | Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Yes, when safe and legal. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | May be designated with road signs or markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Minimal |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | 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
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
Overtaking: On Right
fiji:
Yes
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Bus Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
fiji:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Fiji | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 kph | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 kph | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 kph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 kph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 kph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 kph | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 kph | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 kph | Not applicable |
| Speed Units | kph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
fiji:
50 kph
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
fiji:
30 kph
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
80 kph
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
fiji:
70 kph
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
60 kph
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
100 kph
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
fiji:
90 kph
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
80 kph
maldives:
Not applicable
Speed Units
fiji:
kph
maldives:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Fiji | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Fiji | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; 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
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
fiji:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
fiji:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Fiji | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed only where indicated by signs | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
fiji:
Not allowed.
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
fiji:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Fiji | 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 | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Usually displayed on the vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Fiji | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
fiji:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Fiji | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, potential loss of license | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
fiji:
0.08%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
fiji:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Fiji | 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
fiji:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
fiji:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Fiji | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
fiji:
911
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Fiji | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500 | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines can apply | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply; obey signals | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time