Driving in Lithuania vs. Maldives: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the driving landscapes of Lithuania and the Maldives reveals intriguing contrasts that every traveler should know. From lane usage and speed limits to the approach to traffic signals, these nations offer unique road experiences. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure journey while abroad.
Lanes
| Lithuania | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separation of opposing traffic directions. | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Passing permitted with caution. | 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 | 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 taxis during peak hours. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; 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
lithuania:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
lithuania:
Separation of opposing traffic directions.
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lithuania:
Passing permitted with caution.
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
Overtaking: On Left
lithuania:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
lithuania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
lithuania:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
lithuania:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
lithuania:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lithuania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
lithuania:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
lithuania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lithuania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lithuania:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lithuania:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Lithuania | 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 |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, issued by police. | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
lithuania:
50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lithuania:
30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lithuania:
90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lithuania:
70 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lithuania:
130 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
lithuania:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
lithuania:
90 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lithuania:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lithuania:
Yes, issued by police.
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Lithuania | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates prepared to start | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Lithuanian; 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
lithuania:
Indicates prepared to start
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
lithuania:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lithuania:
Unnecessary use discouraged
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
lithuania:
Lithuanian; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lithuania:
Triangle-shaped with red border
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Lithuania | 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
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
lithuania:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Lithuania | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual check | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or 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
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lithuania:
Mandatory annual check
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lithuania:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lithuania:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lithuania:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Lithuania | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lithuania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Lithuania | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, particularly at night and weekends | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies based on BAC level | Fines can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
lithuania:
0.04%
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
lithuania:
Common, particularly at night and weekends
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
lithuania:
Substantial; varies based on BAC level
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
lithuania:
Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses
maldives:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
lithuania:
Results in penalties and license suspension
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Lithuania | 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
lithuania:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
lithuania:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Lithuania | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | 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
lithuania:
112
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
lithuania:
112
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lithuania:
Contact your insurance provider
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lithuania:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lithuania:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Lithuania | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines apply | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free device required | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, by police | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
lithuania:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
lithuania:
High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lithuania:
Mandatory, fines apply
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
lithuania:
Fines apply, use of hands-free device required
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lithuania:
Fines apply
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
lithuania:
Yes, by police
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
lithuania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time