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.
LEFT
Driving Side
The driving side in japan is the Left Side of the road
92
Driving Safety Score
The driving Driving Safety Score in japan is 92
1.199 $
Gas Price in USD
The driving Driving Safety Score for japan is 1.199 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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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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.
Alcohol
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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