Driving Differences: Jamaica vs. Maldives
When exploring the roads of Jamaica and the Maldives, drivers encounter distinct traffic regulations and road customs. Key variations include speed limits—ranging from 30-100 km/h in Jamaica compared to fixed limits in the Maldives—and unique lane markings that reflect each nation’s driving culture. Understanding these nuances is essential for safe travels abroad.
LEFT
Driving Side
The driving side in jamaica is the Left Side of the road
48
Driving Safety Score
The driving Driving Safety Score in jamaica is 48
1.22 $
Gas Price in USD
The driving Driving Safety Score for jamaica is 1.22 US Dollars
While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.
Lanes
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| Jamaica | Maldives | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the center of the road on two-way streets. | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. | |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution. | Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives. | |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear | Yes, when safe and legal. | |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Bridge crossings | Railroad crossings | |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. | |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Marked with signs indicating bus lane | May be designated with road signs or markings. | |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Minimal | |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. | |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Occasional with bicycle symbols | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. | |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
Overtaking: On Right
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
maldives:
Railroad crossings
Bus Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
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| Jamaica | Maldives | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 30 km/h | |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h | |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 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: Indications | Fixed speed limits via signs | Not applicable | |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common for immediate traffic violations | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
jamaica:
30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
jamaica:
70 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
jamaica:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
jamaica:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
jamaica:
80 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
maldives:
Common
Signals
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| Jamaica | Maldives | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Jamaica | Not commonly used in Maldives | |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Typically allowed in situations to avert danger | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged near hospitals and schools | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Rarely enforced | Fines may apply for misuse | |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To signal intentions, often a warning | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not widely restricted | Not to be used to signal other messages | |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, especially if indicator lights fail | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Often triangular with red borders | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
maldives:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
maldives:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
maldives:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
maldives:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
maldives:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
maldives:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
jamaica:
English; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
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| Jamaica | Maldives | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed unless signed | |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless signs prohibit it | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
jamaica:
Prohibited
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
Left Turn: General
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
maldives:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
maldives:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
jamaica:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
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| Jamaica | Maldives | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate | Periodic checks required | |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not consistently used | Usually displayed on the vehicle | |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory | |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
jamaica:
Not consistently used
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jamaica:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
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| Jamaica | Maldives | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To signal intentions or warnings | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Informally regulated | Discouraged, fines may apply | |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged | Discouraged and may be penalized | |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Encouraged only to avert danger | Only in emergency situations | |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use; more common than in some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries | |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if safe | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Sirens and flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
jamaica:
To signal intentions or warnings
maldives:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
jamaica:
Informally regulated
maldives:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
jamaica:
Discouraged
maldives:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
maldives:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
maldives:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
maldives:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
When exploring the roads of Jamaica and the Maldives, drivers encounter distinct traffic regulations and road customs. Key variations include speed limits—ranging from 30-100 km/h in Jamaica compared to fixed limits in the Maldives—and unique lane markings that reflect each nation’s driving culture. Understanding these nuances is essential for safe travels abroad.
Alcohol
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| Jamaica | Maldives | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% | |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.00% | |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited | 0.00% | |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check for impairment warnings | Check if medication affects driving ability | |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasionally conducted | Less common | |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies with severity and past offenses | Fines can be substantial | |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe breaches | Possible for severe offenses | |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
jamaica:
0.08%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
jamaica:
0.03%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
maldives:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
maldives:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
maldives:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
maldives:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
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| Jamaica | Maldives | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | |
| Priority: Inside | Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if taking an immediate exit | 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 immediate or second exit | Appropriate lanes as per signage | |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for other exits | Appropriate lanes as per signage |
Priority: Entering
jamaica:
Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority
maldives:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
maldives:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
maldives:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
jamaica:
Signal left when preparing to exit
maldives:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
jamaica:
Use for other exits
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
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| Jamaica | Maldives | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 or 110 | 119 | |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 119 | Contact local police for traffic issues | |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Depends on provider; often through insurance | Check with your insurance provider | |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended | |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
jamaica:
119 or 110
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
jamaica:
119
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jamaica:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
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| Jamaica | Maldives | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment | Severe penalties including license suspension | |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance | Fines apply for non-compliance | |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | Fines for use without hands-free | |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Subject to fines and points | Substantial fines | |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor fines | Possible for minor offenses | |
| Payment: Deadline | Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days | Varies; typically within a specified time | |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Must be paid promptly to avoid complications | Same as residents; must be paid | |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible for unresolved fines | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
jamaica:
Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
Foreign Drivers: Fines
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
maldives:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines
maldives:
Possible if fines are not paid