Driving in Japan vs. Maldives: Key Safety Differences
When traveling from Japan to the Maldives, understanding the nuances of road regulations is vital for a secure journey. While Japan emphasizes strict adherence to lane markings and speed limits, the Maldives offers a more relaxed approach. Explore significant distinctions in driving etiquette, speed regulations, and emergency protocols to ensure a safe adventure abroad.
Lanes
| Japan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right 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, overtaking is done on the right. | Yes, when safe and legal. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. | May be designated with road signs or markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Minimal |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
japan:
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
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Bus Lanes: Presence
japan:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
japan:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
japan:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
maldives:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Japan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 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
japan:
40-50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
japan:
30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
60 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
japan:
60 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
60 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
japan:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
80 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
maldives:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Japan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Japan | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
japan:
Not used in Japan
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
japan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
japan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Japan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | 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
japan:
Not allowed
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
japan:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Japan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required along with national license | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required along with national license | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Usually displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
japan:
Displayed on license plate
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Japan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Generally used sparingly | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Flashing Lights: Usage
japan:
To warn of hazards
maldives:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
japan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
japan:
Generally used sparingly
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Japan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Prohibited; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints may be set up | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
japan:
0.03%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Japan | 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
japan:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
japan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Japan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or JAF | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
japan:
110
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
japan:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Japan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, points on license | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines; enforceable | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Severe fines, points on license | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid later | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
japan:
Fines; enforceable
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
japan:
Fines, points on license
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time