Italy vs Maldives: A Driving Safety Comparison
When exploring the unique driving landscapes of Italy and the Maldives, notable distinctions emerge that are crucial for safe navigation. From varying road regulations and speed limits to divergent lane usage practices, understanding these contrasts is vital for a secure driving experience abroad. Familiarize yourself with the essential contrasts to ensure your journey remains smooth and incident-free.
Lanes
| Italy | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. | 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. |
| 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
italy:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
Overtaking: On Left
italy:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
italy:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
italy:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
italy:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
italy:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
italy:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
italy:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
italy:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
italy:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
italy:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
italy:
Yes
maldives:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits.
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Italy | 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 | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
italy:
50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
italy:
30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
70 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
130 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
italy:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
80 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
italy:
Yes
maldives:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Italy | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used; prepare to go when green appears | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Italian; symbols are standard | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
italy:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Italy | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
italy:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Italy | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Usually displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
italy:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
italy:
Displayed on license plate
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
italy:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Italy | 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
italy:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
italy:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Italy | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
italy:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
italy:
Substantial
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Italy | 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
italy:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
italy:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Italy | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 (State Police) | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 116 (ACI) | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
italy:
112
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
italy:
113 (State Police)
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
italy:
116 (ACI)
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
italy:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Italy | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; fines apply | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, strict enforcement | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, may include points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible, especially for foreign drivers | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
italy:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
italy:
Varies; fines apply
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time