Driving in Finland vs. Maldives: Key Safety Differences
When traversing the roads of Finland and the Maldives, distinct driving practices emerge that are crucial for a secure journey. Key variations include driving sides—right in Finland versus left in the Maldives—and speed regulations, highlighting how local customs shape roadway experiences. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring safety while abroad.
Lanes
| Finland | 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
Driving Side
finland:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
finland:
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
finland:
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
finland:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
finland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
finland:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
finland:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
finland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
finland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
finland:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
finland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
finland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
finland:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
finland:
Yes
maldives:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Finland | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 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 | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
finland:
50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
finland:
30-40 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
100-120 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
finland:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
finland:
Yes
maldives:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
finland:
Yes
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Finland | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a yellow background | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
finland:
Not commonly used
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
finland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Finland | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | 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
finland:
Not generally allowed
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
finland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
finland:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Finland | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Usually displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory for certain situations | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
finland:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Finland | 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
finland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
finland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Finland | 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; checkpoints used | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
finland:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
finland:
0.02%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
finland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
finland:
Can be substantial
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
finland:
Results in license suspension
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Finland | 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
finland:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
finland:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Finland | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact through 112 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory, recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory, recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
finland:
112
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
finland:
Contact through 112
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Finland | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on income | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, typically €85 | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, typically €100 | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; usually drive must pay later | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
finland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
finland:
Fines apply
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
finland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time