Driving Differences: Kenya vs Maldives Explained
Discover the critical distinctions in road regulations between Kenya and the Maldives, two unique destinations with contrasting driving norms. From speed limits to lane usage, understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a safe journey. Dive into the details and enhance your awareness for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Kenya | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Right | Yes, allow passing on the right. | Yes, when safe and legal. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | May be designated with road signs or markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | 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: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kenya:
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
kenya:
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
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Bus Lanes: Presence
kenya:
No
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
kenya:
N/A
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kenya:
N/A
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kenya:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kenya:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kenya:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Kenya | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 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: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
kenya:
50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kenya:
50 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kenya:
Yes
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Kenya | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kenya | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Kiswahili; 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
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
kenya:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kenya:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Kenya | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | 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
kenya:
Not allowed.
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
kenya:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Kenya | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Usually displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kenya:
Annual inspection required
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kenya:
Displayed on windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kenya:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Kenya | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
kenya:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Kenya | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
kenya:
0.08%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kenya:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kenya:
0.00%; zero tolerance
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
kenya:
Varies; can be substantial
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Kenya | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or adjacent exits | 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 |
Signaling: Exiting
kenya:
Signal left when preparing to exit
maldives:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
kenya:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Kenya | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 or 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or 911 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
kenya:
999 or 112
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
kenya:
999 or 911
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kenya:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Kenya | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | KES 500 to KES 2,000 | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | KES 10,000 | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
kenya:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kenya:
KES 10,000
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
kenya:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time