Driving Differences: Ireland vs Maldives Explained
When comparing the road regulations of Ireland and the Maldives, travelers should note significant variations in driving rules and safety measures. From speed limits to lane usage, both nations present unique challenges. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure and pleasant journey abroad.
Lanes
| Ireland | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as 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 | No, overtake on the right. | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, standard overtaking side. | Yes, when safe and legal. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ireland:
Used as 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
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ireland:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
ireland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ireland:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ireland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ireland:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Ireland | 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 | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
ireland:
50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ireland:
30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ireland:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
80-90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
120 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
ireland:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
90 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Ireland | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to turn green. | 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: Prohibited Times | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with red borders | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
maldives:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
maldives:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
ireland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Ireland | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | 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
ireland:
Not allowed
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
ireland:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Ireland | 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 | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Usually displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ireland | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
ireland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Ireland | 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 | Random breath testing is common. | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
ireland:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ireland:
0.02%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Ireland | 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
ireland:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
ireland:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Ireland | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 999 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 or 999 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ireland:
112 or 999
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
ireland:
112 or 999
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ireland | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €80 to €120, and 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 | €60 fine and two penalty points | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €60 fine and three penalty points | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €80 and three penalty points | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
ireland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
ireland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time