Driving in Libya vs Maldives: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Libya and the Maldives, understanding the distinct regulations and practices is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. With Libya driving on the right and the Maldives on the left, varied speed limits and signaling methods further highlight these nations' unique approaches to road safety. Explore these contrasts to drive confidently abroad.
Lanes
| Libya | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the separation between directions on some roads. | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks the 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 | Generally not allowed except 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 | Not commonly designated. | 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 | Not commonly designated. | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Generally not used. | Not applicable |
Driving Side
libya:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
libya:
Marks the separation between directions on some roads.
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
libya:
Marks the 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
libya:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
libya:
Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
libya:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
libya:
No
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
libya:
Not commonly designated.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
libya:
N/A
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
libya:
No
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
libya:
Not commonly designated.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
libya:
N/A
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
libya:
Generally not used.
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Libya | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 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: Indications | Generally not used. | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
libya:
50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
libya:
40 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
libya:
90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
libya:
70 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
libya:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
libya:
90 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
libya:
80 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
libya:
Generally not used.
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
libya:
Yes
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Libya | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Libya | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
libya:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
maldives:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
libya:
Not used in Libya
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
libya:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
libya:
Arabic
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
libya:
Triangle-shaped with red border
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Libya | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless specified | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
libya:
Generally not allowed unless specified
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
libya:
Varies by locality; check for signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
libya:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Libya | 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 recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required for registration and periodically thereafter | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Usually displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
libya:
International Driving Permit required
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
libya:
International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
libya:
Required for registration and periodically thereafter
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
libya:
Displayed on windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
libya:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
libya:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Libya | 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
libya:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
libya:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Libya | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Possible; checkpoints used in some areas | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
Enforcement: Random Checks
libya:
Possible; checkpoints used in some areas
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
libya:
Varies; can be substantial
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Libya | 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
libya:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
libya:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Libya | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 193 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by area | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
libya:
193
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
libya:
Varies by area
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
libya:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
libya:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Libya | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on severity | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines may apply | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required within 30 days | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
libya:
Varies; fines based on severity
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
libya:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
libya:
Fines may apply
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
libya:
Fines may apply
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
libya:
Fines may apply
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
libya:
Possible
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
libya:
Varies; typically required within 30 days
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time