Driving Differences: Malaysia vs Maldives Safety Tips
Exploring the road regulations in Malaysia and the Maldives unveils intriguing contrasts that impact traveler safety. While both nations permit overtaking on the right, Malaysia boasts defined bus and cycle lanes, unlike the Maldives' limited provisions. Additional distinctions in speed limits and alcohol regulations further shape the driving experience in these unique destinations.
Lanes
| Malaysia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions. | 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 Right | Yes | Yes, when safe and legal. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| 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 'BAS' or 'BUS'; 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
malaysia:
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 Right
malaysia:
Yes
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
malaysia:
List length: 4
maldives:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Presence
malaysia:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
malaysia:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
malaysia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
malaysia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
malaysia:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Malaysia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malaysia:
30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malaysia:
Yes
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Malaysia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Malaysia | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay and English; symbols are standard | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
malaysia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Malaysia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed 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
malaysia:
Not allowed
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
malaysia:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Malaysia | 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 yearly for roadworthiness | 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
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malaysia:
Displayed on windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Malaysia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
malaysia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Malaysia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used nationwide | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
malaysia:
0.08%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
malaysia:
0.04%
maldives:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
malaysia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
malaysia:
Substantial fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Malaysia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| 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: Exiting
malaysia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
maldives:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
malaysia:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
malaysia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Malaysia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
malaysia:
999
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
malaysia:
999
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Malaysia | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; RM150 and above | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | RM300, points on license | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | RM300, points on license | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; fines and points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
malaysia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
malaysia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time