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.
Lanes
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
Alcohol
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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