Driving in India vs. Maldives: Key Safety Differences
Discover the unique nuances of road regulations as we compare India and the Maldives. From speed limits and lane markings to vehicle etiquette and penalties, this analysis highlights essential distinctions in vehicular navigation and safety practices. Understanding these variances ensures a smoother journey while driving in these contrasting environments.
Lanes
| India | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Right | Yes, but only when safe. | Yes, when safe and legal. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some metropolitan areas | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. | May be designated with road signs or markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
india:
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
india:
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 Right
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Bus Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some areas
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
india:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
india:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
india:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| India | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 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 | 60-70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major cities and highways | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly used | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
india:
40-50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
india:
30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
60-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
india:
60-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-70 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
80-120 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
india:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-80 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
maldives:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
india:
Yes, commonly used
maldives:
Common
Signals
| India | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in India | 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 and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | More common due to varied vehicle conditions | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and local languages; symbols are standard | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
india:
Not used in India
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
india:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
maldives:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
india:
Triangular with red border
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| India | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign | Not allowed unless signed |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
Left Turn: General
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
maldives:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
india:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| India | 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 required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | PUC sticker displayed on windshield | Usually displayed on the vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Road Etiquette
| India | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to other countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
india:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Limited
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
maldives:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
maldives:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| India | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; fines can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
india:
0.03%
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| India | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left 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
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
maldives:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
maldives:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
india:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
india:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| India | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
india:
112
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| India | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, 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 | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
india:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time