Driving in Greece vs. Maldives: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the unique road regulations of Greece and the Maldives reveals fascinating contrasts in vehicular customs and safety practices. While Greece mandates driving on the right, the Maldives requires adherence to left-side navigation. Speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance rates diverge significantly, making it crucial for travelers to understand these distinctions for a secure journey.
Lanes
| Greece | 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. |
Driving Side
greece:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
greece:
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
greece:
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
greece:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
greece:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
greece:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
greece:
50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
greece:
30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Greece | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
greece:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Greece | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
greece:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Greece | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections 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 | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Greece | 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
greece:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
greece:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Greece | 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; police may set up roadblocks | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
greece:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Greece | 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
greece:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
greece:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Greece | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | 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
greece:
112
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
greece:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time