Driving in Honduras vs. Maldives: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the road regulations of Honduras and the Maldives reveals fascinating distinctions that every traveler should understand. While Honduras drives on the right side, the Maldives adheres to left-hand driving. Additionally, speed limits and alcohol regulations vary significantly, highlighting the importance of being informed for a safe and enjoyable journey in these unique destinations.
Lanes
| Honduras | 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: Usage | Reserved primarily for public transportation vehicles. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or through signage. | May be designated with road signs or markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Minimal |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | In areas with dedicated bike paths. | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are typically static. | Not applicable |
Driving Side
honduras:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
honduras:
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
honduras:
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
honduras:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
honduras:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
honduras:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
honduras:
Reserved primarily for public transportation vehicles.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
honduras:
Labeled 'BUS' or through signage.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
honduras:
Limited
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
honduras:
In areas with dedicated bike paths.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
honduras:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
honduras:
Speed limits are typically static.
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Honduras | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-110 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are typically static. | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Infrequent | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Sometimes issued if stopped by police | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
honduras:
30-40 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
honduras:
60-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
honduras:
60-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
honduras:
60-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
honduras:
80-110 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
honduras:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
honduras:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
honduras:
Speed limits are typically static.
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
honduras:
Infrequent
maldives:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
honduras:
Sometimes issued if stopped by police
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Honduras | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Honduras | 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 | Triangular-shaped with red border | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
honduras:
Not used in Honduras
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
honduras:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
honduras:
Spanish; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
honduras:
Triangular-shaped with red border
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Honduras | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
honduras:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
honduras:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
honduras:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Honduras | 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 annually | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Usually displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
honduras:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
honduras:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
honduras:
Required annually
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
honduras:
Displayed on windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
honduras:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
honduras:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Honduras | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Varies; more frequent in urban areas | 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
honduras:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
honduras:
Varies; more frequent in urban areas
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
honduras:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Honduras | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.07% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted; checkpoints common | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe penalties apply | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
honduras:
0.07%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
honduras:
0.02%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
honduras:
0.00%; zero tolerance
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
honduras:
Conducted; checkpoints common
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
honduras:
Severe penalties apply
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
honduras:
Can result in fines and license suspension
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Honduras | 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
honduras:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
honduras:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Honduras | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 or 199 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact via general emergency numbers | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
honduras:
911 or 199
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
honduras:
Contact via general emergency numbers
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
honduras:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
honduras:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Honduras | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties apply including possible imprisonment | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use while driving | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines and points | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible, depending on the violation | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
honduras:
Varies; can be substantial
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
honduras:
Severe penalties apply including possible imprisonment
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
honduras:
Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
honduras:
Fines for use while driving
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
honduras:
Substantial fines and points
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
honduras:
Sometimes possible, depending on the violation
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
honduras:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time