Driving in Georgia vs. Maldives: Key Safety Differences
When embarking on a journey through Georgia or the Maldives, understanding the distinct driving practices is essential for a safe experience. From driving sides and speed limits to lane usage and signaling protocols, these two countries present notable contrasts that travelers should recognize to navigate confidently and responsibly.
Lanes
| Georgia | 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or three occupants | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
Driving Side
georgia:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
georgia:
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
georgia:
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
georgia:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
georgia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
georgia:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
georgia:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
georgia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
georgia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
georgia:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
georgia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
georgia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
georgia:
Yes
maldives:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
georgia:
Minimum two or three occupants
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
georgia:
Yes
maldives:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
georgia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Georgia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-40 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-120 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 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
georgia:
30-50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
georgia:
20-40 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
georgia:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
georgia:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
georgia:
110-120 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
georgia:
100-110 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
georgia:
90-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
georgia:
Yes
maldives:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
georgia:
Electronic signs display current limits
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
georgia:
Yes
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Georgia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Georgian; 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
georgia:
Not used
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
georgia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
georgia:
Georgian; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
georgia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Georgia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
georgia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
georgia:
Varies by location; check for signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
georgia:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Georgia | 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 | Required; proof may be required | 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 | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
georgia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
georgia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
georgia:
Required; proof may be required
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
georgia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
georgia:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
georgia:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Georgia | 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
georgia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
georgia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Georgia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
georgia:
0.03%
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
georgia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
georgia:
Varies; can be substantial
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Georgia | 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
georgia:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
georgia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Georgia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
georgia:
112
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
georgia:
112
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
georgia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
georgia:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
georgia:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Georgia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 80 to 500 GEL | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 50 GEL | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 10 GEL | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | 200 GEL | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; but usually paid later | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
georgia:
Varies; 80 to 500 GEL
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
georgia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
georgia:
50 GEL
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
georgia:
10 GEL
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
georgia:
200 GEL
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
georgia:
Possible; but usually paid later
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
georgia:
Varies; typically within 30 days
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time