Driving in Liechtenstein vs. Maldives: Key Differences
When exploring the roadways of Liechtenstein and the Maldives, travelers will encounter distinct variations in traffic regulations and practices. Key distinctions include driving on opposite sides, differing speed limits, and unique lane usage rules. Understanding these contrasts is vital for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in each country.
Lanes
| Liechtenstein | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing. | 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 | 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 | Not typically used in Liechtenstein. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | 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 sometimes colored pavement. | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
Driving Side
liechtenstein:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
liechtenstein:
Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing.
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
liechtenstein:
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
liechtenstein:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
liechtenstein:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
liechtenstein:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
liechtenstein:
No
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
liechtenstein:
Not typically used in Liechtenstein.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
liechtenstein:
N/A
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
liechtenstein:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
liechtenstein:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
liechtenstein:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
liechtenstein:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
liechtenstein:
Yes
maldives:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
liechtenstein:
Electronic signs display current limits.
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Liechtenstein | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 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 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 | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
liechtenstein:
50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
liechtenstein:
30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
liechtenstein:
120 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
liechtenstein:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
liechtenstein:
Yes
maldives:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
liechtenstein:
Electronic signs display current limits
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Liechtenstein | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
liechtenstein:
Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
liechtenstein:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
liechtenstein:
German; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
liechtenstein:
Triangle-shaped with red border
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Liechtenstein | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
liechtenstein:
Not allowed
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
liechtenstein:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
liechtenstein:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Liechtenstein | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | 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 | Required annually | 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
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
liechtenstein:
Required annually
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
liechtenstein:
Displayed on windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Liechtenstein | 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
liechtenstein:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
liechtenstein:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Liechtenstein | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Heavy fines; varies by severity | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.08%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.00%; zero tolerance
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
liechtenstein:
Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines; varies by severity
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Liechtenstein | 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
liechtenstein:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
liechtenstein:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Liechtenstein | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance company or local service providers | 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
liechtenstein:
112
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
liechtenstein:
117
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
liechtenstein:
Contact insurance company or local service providers
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Liechtenstein | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
liechtenstein:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
liechtenstein:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
liechtenstein:
Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
liechtenstein:
Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines, points on license
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
liechtenstein:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time