Driving in Lebanon vs. Maldives: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Lebanon and the Maldives, significant variations in traffic regulations and practices come to light. From driving on opposite sides to distinct speed limits and road etiquette, understanding these contrasts is vital for ensuring a secure experience. Explore the essential driving distinctions to stay safe while abroad in these fascinating countries.
Lanes
| Lebanon | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as a separation line in some areas. | 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 | 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 | 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
lebanon:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
Overtaking: On Left
lebanon:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
lebanon:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lebanon:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Lebanon | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 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
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
80 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lebanon:
Yes
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Lebanon | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Lebanon | 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 |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; 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
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
maldives:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
lebanon:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Lebanon | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | 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
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
lebanon:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Lebanon | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, 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
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lebanon:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Lebanon | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
lebanon:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Lebanon | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common through checkpoints | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for violations | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Lebanon | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when preparing to enter | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| 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 |
Signaling: Entering
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
maldives:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Lane Usage: Right
lebanon:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
lebanon:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Lebanon | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies; consult your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
lebanon:
112
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
lebanon:
112
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lebanon:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Lebanon | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may lead to substantial fines | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Fines and potential incarceration | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory for all passengers | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; often paid at stations | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 15-30 days | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Payment: On The Spot
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time