Driving in Israel vs. Maldives: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the driving landscapes of Israel and the Maldives reveals significant contrasts in road regulations and etiquette. While Israel mandates right-side driving and diverse lane usage, the Maldives adheres to left-side norms with unique traffic markings. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in unfamiliar territories.
Lanes
| Israel | 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 | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. | Yes, when safe and legal. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
Driving Side
israel:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
israel:
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
israel:
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
israel:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
israel:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
israel:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
israel:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
israel:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
israel:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
israel:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
maldives:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits.
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Israel | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
israel:
50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
israel:
30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
100-120 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
israel:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
maldives:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
israel:
Yes
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Israel | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | 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 prohibited; local ordinances apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
israel:
Used before green light.
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
israel:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Israel | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
israel:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Israel | 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 | Annual inspection required; proof may be required | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | 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
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
israel:
Displayed on windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
israel:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Israel | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| 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
israel:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
israel:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Israel | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
israel:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Israel | 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
israel:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
israel:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Israel | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local 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 | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
israel:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines issued, points possible | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time