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.
RIGHT
Driving Side
The driving side in france is the Right Side of the road
86
Driving Safety Score
The driving Driving Safety Score in france is 86
1.829 $
Gas Price in USD
The driving Driving Safety Score for france is 1.829 US Dollars
While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.
Lanes
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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.
Alcohol
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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