Driving in Guatemala vs Maldives: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the vibrant roads of Guatemala and the serene landscapes of the Maldives, understanding their distinct traffic regulations is essential. From driving on opposite sides of the road to varying speed limits, these countries showcase unique approaches to vehicle operation. This comparison highlights crucial contrasts that ensure a safer journey abroad.
Lanes
| Guatemala | 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 | No | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | May be designated with road signs or markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Minimal |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Driving Side
guatemala:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
guatemala:
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
guatemala:
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
guatemala:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
guatemala:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
guatemala:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
guatemala:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
guatemala:
30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
80 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
maldives:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Guatemala | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
guatemala:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Guatemala | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | 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
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
guatemala:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Guatemala | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof may be required | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | 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
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
guatemala:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| 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
guatemala:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
guatemala:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Guatemala | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
guatemala:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Guatemala | 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
guatemala:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
guatemala:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
guatemala:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | 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 imposed | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time