Driving Differences: Maldives vs Malta Explained
When navigating the roads of the Maldives and Malta, distinct variances emerge that are crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Key highlights include differing speed limits—30 km/h in urban Maldives versus 50 km/h in Malta—and unique lane markings. Understanding these contrasts can significantly enhance your travel experience and road safety in both nations..
Lanes
| Maldives | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. | Marks the left edge on some divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives. | Often used to indicate parking restrictions. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, when safe and legal. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be designated with road signs or markings. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Minimal | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
malta:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
malta:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
malta:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
malta:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
malta:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
malta:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
malta:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
malta:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
maldives:
80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
malta:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
malta:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Maldives | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 commonly used in Maldives | Not used in Malta |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | English and Maltese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
maldives:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
malta:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
malta:
Not used in Malta
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
malta:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
Turns
| Maldives | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Varies by location; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
malta:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
malta:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on license plate or windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
maldives:
Common practice
malta:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Alcohol
| Maldives | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
malta:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
malta:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Appropriate lanes as per signage | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Appropriate lanes as per signage | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Exiting
maldives:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
malta:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
malta:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
malta:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
malta:
112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Typically around €50, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay