Driving Differences: Maldives vs. Mexico Explained
The driving experiences in the Maldives and Mexico present intriguing contrasts that every traveler should consider. While the Maldives adheres to left-side travel with unique road markings, Mexico embraces right-side navigation with variable speed limits. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in each destination.
Lanes
| Maldives | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, when safe and legal. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be designated with road signs or markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Minimal | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
maldives:
Left
mexico:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
mexico:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
mexico:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
mexico:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
mexico:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
mexico:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
mexico:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
mexico:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
mexico:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
mexico:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
mexico:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
mexico:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
80 km/h
mexico:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
mexico:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
mexico:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
Signals
| Maldives | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in Mexico |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Triangular signs with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
mexico:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
Turns
| Maldives | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
mexico:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Varies by state; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
maldives:
Common practice
mexico:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
mexico:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
mexico:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
mexico:
0.04%
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
mexico:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Lane Usage: Right
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
mexico:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
mexico:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 066 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
mexico:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
mexico:
066 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Varies, up to $50, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Varies; can lead to significant fines |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; system improvements for online payments |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
mexico:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments