Driving in Latvia vs Maldives: Key Differences Explained
Embarking on a journey through Latvia and the Maldives reveals striking contrasts in road practices and regulations. While Latvia adheres to right-side driving with stringent speed limits, the Maldives opts for left-side navigation and unique traffic norms. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience behind the wheel in either destination.
RIGHT
Driving Side
The driving side in latvia is the Right Side of the road
71
Driving Safety Score
The driving Driving Safety Score in latvia is 71
1.692 $
Gas Price in USD
The driving Driving Safety Score for latvia is 1.692 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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| Latvia | 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; generally only when the lane is clear. | 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 and sometimes taxis. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. | |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | May be designated with road signs or markings. | |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | 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 |
Driving Side
latvia:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
latvia:
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
latvia:
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
latvia:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
latvia:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
latvia:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
latvia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
latvia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
latvia:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
latvia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
latvia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
latvia:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
latvia:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
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| Latvia | Maldives | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 km/h | |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h | |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | Not applicable | |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 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 | Common; fines are often issued immediately | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
latvia:
50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
latvia:
30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
latvia:
90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
latvia:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
latvia:
90 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
latvia:
80 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
latvia:
Yes
maldives:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
latvia:
Electronic signs display current limits
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
maldives:
Common
Signals
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| Latvia | Maldives | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Latvia | Not commonly used in Maldives | |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting | |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Latvian; symbols are standard | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
latvia:
Signal when entering and exiting
maldives:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
latvia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
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| Latvia | Maldives | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed unless signed | |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
latvia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
latvia:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
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| Latvia | Maldives | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required | 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 vehicle inspection required | 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 | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
latvia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
latvia:
Displayed on windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
latvia:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
latvia:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
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| Latvia | Maldives | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice | |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | |
| 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
latvia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Pedestrians Priority
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
maldives:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
latvia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Embarking on a journey through Latvia and the Maldives reveals striking contrasts in road practices and regulations. While Latvia adheres to right-side driving with stringent speed limits, the Maldives opts for left-side navigation and unique traffic norms. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience behind the wheel in either destination.
Alcohol
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| Latvia | Maldives | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% | |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially on weekends | Less common | |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies based on BAC | Fines can be substantial | |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
latvia:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
latvia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
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| Latvia | 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
latvia:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
latvia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
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| Latvia | Maldives | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 | |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies | 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 | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
latvia:
112
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
latvia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
latvia:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
latvia:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
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| Latvia | Maldives | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €20 to €300, points on license | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Severe penalties including license suspension | |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €20 to €40, fines vary | Fines apply for non-compliance | |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €10 to €30, fines vary | Fines for use without hands-free | |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €30 to €70, points on license | Substantial fines | |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be settled at the time | Possible for minor offenses | |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time