Driving in France vs. Maldives: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of France and the Maldives, distinct regulations and customs come into play. While France drives on the right with a structured lane system, the Maldives follows the left, emphasizing unique road etiquette. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in these diverse destinations.
Lanes
| France | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; 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 only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | 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, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | 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 | 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
france:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
Overtaking: On Left
france:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
france:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
france:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
france:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
france:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
france:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
france:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
maldives:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| France | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 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 | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
france:
50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
france:
30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
130 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
france:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
france:
90 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
maldives:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
maldives:
Common
Signals
| France | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in France | 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 |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; symbols are standard | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
france:
Not used in France
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
maldives:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
france:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| France | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
france:
Not allowed
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
france:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| France | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Usually displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
france:
Displayed on windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| France | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
france:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| France | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
france:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
france:
0.02%
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| France | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| 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 |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
maldives:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Lane Usage: Right
france:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
france:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| France | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
france:
112
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| France | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time