Driving in Maldives vs. Monaco: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of the Maldives and Monaco, travelers will encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their driving experiences. Key differences include driving on the left in the Maldives versus the right in Monaco, varied speed limits, and unique traffic signaling methods. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in either destination.
Lanes
| Maldives | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. | Not commonly used in Monaco. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives. | Not commonly used in Monaco. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, when safe and legal. | Allowed if traffic conditions permit. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Limited, mostly on main roads |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. | Predominantly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be designated with road signs or markings. | Labeled ‘BUS’. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Minimal | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. | Shared with small vehicles or buses. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. | Bicycle symbols or shared lane markings. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Standard speed limits apply |
Driving Side
maldives:
Left
monaco:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
monaco:
Not commonly used in Monaco.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
monaco:
Not commonly used in Monaco.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
monaco:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
monaco:
Allowed if traffic conditions permit.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
monaco:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
monaco:
Limited, mostly on main roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
monaco:
Predominantly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
monaco:
Labeled ‘BUS’.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
monaco:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
monaco:
Shared with small vehicles or buses.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
monaco:
Bicycle symbols or shared lane markings.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
monaco:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
monaco:
Standard speed limits apply
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | N/A |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Standard speed limits apply |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Common for traffic violations |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
monaco:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
monaco:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
maldives:
80 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
80 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
monaco:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
monaco:
Standard speed limits apply
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
monaco:
Common for traffic violations
Signals
| Maldives | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Rare in Monaco, usually not used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
maldives:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
monaco:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
monaco:
Rare in Monaco, usually not used
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
monaco:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
monaco:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
monaco:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Maldives | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Permitted where indicated; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
monaco:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
monaco:
Permitted where indicated; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
monaco:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Required annually; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on the vehicle windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
monaco:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
monaco:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
monaco:
Required annually; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
monaco:
Displayed on the vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
monaco:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory
monaco:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| 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
monaco:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
monaco:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Can be substantial; varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
monaco:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
monaco:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
monaco:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
monaco:
Can be substantial; varies by severity
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
monaco:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
monaco:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 or 18 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | Local police also available on 911 using GSM |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Available through service providers or insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
monaco:
112 or 18
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
monaco:
Local police also available on 911 using GSM
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
monaco:
Available through service providers or insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
monaco:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
monaco:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; fines are substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Fine applies if not used |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Substantial fines issued |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | High fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Possible; varies |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically must be settled soon |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
monaco:
Varies; fines are substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
monaco:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
monaco:
Fine applies if not used
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
monaco:
Substantial fines issued
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
monaco:
High fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
monaco:
Possible; varies
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
monaco:
Varies; typically must be settled soon