Driving in Hungary vs. Maldives: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Hungary and the Maldives, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. Notably, Hungary observes right-side driving while the Maldives adheres to the left. From speed limits to lane usage, understanding these nuances is crucial for ensuring a secure journey in each unique environment.
Lanes
| Hungary | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. | 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 | Not allowed except in special cases. | Yes, when safe and legal. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. | 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 | Rare | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs. | Not applicable |
Driving Side
hungary:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
hungary:
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
hungary:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
maldives:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
hungary:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
hungary:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
hungary:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hungary:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
maldives:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; issued by traffic police | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
hungary:
50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hungary:
20-30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
70-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
hungary:
80 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
80 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Yes
maldives:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Hungary | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hungarian; symbols are standard | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
hungary:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Hungary | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
hungary:
Not allowed.
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
hungary:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Hungary | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the license plate or windshield | Usually displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Limited use | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
hungary:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
hungary:
Limited use
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
maldives:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hungary | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Hungary | 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
hungary:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
hungary:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Hungary | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or specific insurance hotline | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
hungary:
112
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time