Driving in Kuwait vs Maldives: Key Safety Differences
Discover the essential contrasts in roadway regulations between Kuwait and the Maldives to enhance your travel safety. From driving sides to speed limits, this comparison highlights significant distinctions—Kuwait's right-side driving versus the Maldives' left-side navigation, and varying speed regulations that can impact your journey. Stay informed for a safer driving experience abroad!
Lanes
| Kuwait | 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 | Not commonly practiced. | 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 'BUS'; often with road signs. | May be designated with road signs or markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Minimal |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | 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
kuwait:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kuwait:
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
kuwait:
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
kuwait:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
kuwait:
Not commonly practiced.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
kuwait:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
kuwait:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
kuwait:
Reserved for buses.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kuwait:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kuwait:
No
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kuwait:
N/A
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kuwait:
N/A
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kuwait:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kuwait:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Kuwait | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 45-60 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 45 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kuwait:
45 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kuwait:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kuwait:
70-90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kuwait:
120 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
kuwait:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kuwait:
80-90 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kuwait:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kuwait:
Yes
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Kuwait | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kuwait:
Not used
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
kuwait:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kuwait:
Triangular-shaped with red border
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Kuwait | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless signs allow | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
kuwait:
Prohibited unless signs allow
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
kuwait:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
kuwait:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Kuwait | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Usually displayed on the vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kuwait:
Annual inspection required
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Kuwait | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| 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
kuwait:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
kuwait:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Kuwait | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Fines | Significant fines and legal consequences | Fines can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving | Possible for severe offenses |
Enforcement: Fines
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
maldives:
Possible for severe offenses
Roundabouts
| Kuwait | 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
kuwait:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
kuwait:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Kuwait | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
Contact: General Emergency
kuwait:
112
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
kuwait:
112
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Penalties And Fines
| Kuwait | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may include points on license | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Very severe penalties for any alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, possible | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kuwait:
Fines applicable
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
kuwait:
Fines applicable
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kuwait:
Fines and points on license
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
kuwait:
Yes, possible
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time