Driving in Maldives vs. Montenegro: Key Safety Tips
The driving experience in the Maldives and Montenegro reveals notable contrasts that are essential for travelers. From the side of the road you navigate to speed limits and lane etiquette, each country has its unique regulations. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey while exploring these stunning destinations.
Lanes
| Maldives | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations. |
| 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 and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be designated with road signs or markings. | Labeled with road signs and pavement markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Minimal | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Driving Side
maldives:
Left
montenegro:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
montenegro:
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.
montenegro:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
montenegro:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
montenegro:
Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
montenegro:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
montenegro:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
montenegro:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
montenegro:
Labeled with road signs and pavement markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
montenegro:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
montenegro:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
montenegro:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
montenegro:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
montenegro:
30 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
montenegro:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
montenegro:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
montenegro:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
montenegro:
Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot
Signals
| Maldives | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in Montenegro |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Montenegrin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Triangle-shaped with red border and white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
montenegro:
Not used in Montenegro
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
montenegro:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
montenegro:
Montenegrin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
montenegro:
Triangle-shaped with red border and white background
Turns
| Maldives | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Sometimes allowed, check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
montenegro:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
montenegro:
Sometimes allowed, check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
montenegro:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Yes, periodic inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
montenegro:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
montenegro:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
montenegro:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
montenegro:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
montenegro:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory
montenegro:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Use common but regulated |
| 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
montenegro:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
montenegro:
Use common but regulated
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
montenegro:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
montenegro:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
montenegro:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
montenegro:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
montenegro:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
montenegro:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 122 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Available from several organizations; check locally |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
montenegro:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
montenegro:
122
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
montenegro:
Available from several organizations; check locally
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
montenegro:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
montenegro:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Usually within 8 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
montenegro:
Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
montenegro:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
montenegro:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
montenegro:
Usually within 8 days