Driving in Kazakhstan vs Maldives: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Kazakhstan and the Maldives, drivers encounter notable distinctions in regulations and practices. From driving on opposite sides to varying speed limits, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure travel experience. Explore our guide to learn how to drive safely and confidently in these unique environments.
Lanes
| Kazakhstan | 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 | 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. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. | May be designated with road signs or markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Varies by region | Minimal |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles where present. | 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: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Driving Side
kazakhstan:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kazakhstan:
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
kazakhstan:
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
kazakhstan:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
kazakhstan:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kazakhstan:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Kazakhstan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kazakhstan:
Yes
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Kazakhstan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kazakhstan | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
kazakhstan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Kazakhstan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
kazakhstan:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Kazakhstan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection | 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 | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Kazakhstan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use | 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
kazakhstan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
kazakhstan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Kazakhstan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
Enforcement: Random Checks
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Kazakhstan | 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
kazakhstan:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
kazakhstan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Kazakhstan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 102 | 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
kazakhstan:
112
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
kazakhstan:
Call 102
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Kazakhstan | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for handheld use while driving | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Payment: On The Spot
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time