Driving Safety in Indonesia vs Maldives: Key Differences
Explore the fascinating contrasts between Indonesia and the Maldives in terms of road regulations and driving norms. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol tolerance, with Indonesia allowing higher limits compared to the Maldives' zero tolerance. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in both countries.
Lanes
| Indonesia | 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 | Yes, when safe and legal. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signage. | May be designated with road signs or markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Minimal |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in major cities, 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
indonesia:
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
indonesia:
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
indonesia:
Yes
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Bus Lanes: Presence
indonesia:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
indonesia:
Limited
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
indonesia:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Indonesia | 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 | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 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: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Urban Areas: Standard
indonesia:
40-60 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
indonesia:
30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
60-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
indonesia:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
80 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
80 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Signals
| Indonesia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Indonesia | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Indonesian; 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
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
indonesia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Indonesia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Forbidden unless a sign permits it | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Normally permitted 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
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
indonesia:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Indonesia | 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 required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic checks required | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Evidence of inspection may be displayed | Usually displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
indonesia:
International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
indonesia:
International Driving Permit required
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Indonesia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and make room | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
indonesia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
indonesia:
Give way and make room
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Indonesia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
indonesia:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
indonesia:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
indonesia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
indonesia:
Common
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Indonesia | 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
indonesia:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
indonesia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Indonesia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 110 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local emergency numbers | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in case of breakdown | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
indonesia:
112 or 110
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Indonesia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; subject to local laws | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Subject to local laws, fines apply | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, enforced rigorously | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
indonesia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time