Driving in Iceland vs Maldives: Key Differences Explained
Explore the intriguing contrasts in motoring norms between Iceland and the Maldives. While Icelanders drive on the right and prioritize strict speed regulations, Maldivians navigate left and face unique road etiquette. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure and smooth journey in each destination.
Lanes
| Iceland | 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. |
| 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; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; 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: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Driving Side
iceland:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
iceland:
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
iceland:
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
iceland:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
maldives:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
iceland:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
iceland:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | 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 | 80 km/h on gravel roads | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h on paved roads | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h on paved roads | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 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: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
iceland:
50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
iceland:
30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
iceland:
Yes
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Iceland | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | N/A | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Icelandic; symbols are standard | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
maldives:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
iceland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
maldives:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
maldives:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Iceland | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally 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
iceland:
Not allowed
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
iceland:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Iceland | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Usually displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Iceland | 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
iceland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
iceland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Iceland | 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 | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
iceland:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| 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 |
Signaling: Entering
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
maldives:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
maldives:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
iceland:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
iceland:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
iceland:
112
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
iceland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time