Driving Differences: Maldives vs Morocco Explained
When exploring the roads of the Maldives and Morocco, it's essential to understand their unique regulations and practices. These two countries exhibit notable distinctions, such as driving on the left in the Maldives versus the right in Morocco, and differing speed limits that can impact your journey. Stay informed to ensure a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad!
Lanes
| Maldives | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: 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 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Minimal | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. | Departure depends on specific roads. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
maldives:
Left
morocco:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
morocco:
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.
morocco:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
morocco:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
morocco:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
morocco:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
morocco:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
morocco:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
morocco:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
morocco:
Departure depends on specific roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
morocco:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
morocco:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
morocco:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
morocco:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
morocco:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
morocco:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
maldives:
80 km/h
morocco:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
morocco:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
morocco:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
morocco:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
morocco:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
morocco:
Yes
Signals
| Maldives | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Orange |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in Morocco |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
maldives:
Amber
morocco:
Orange
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
morocco:
Not used in Morocco
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
morocco:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
morocco:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
morocco:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Maldives | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
morocco:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
morocco:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
morocco:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on the 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
morocco:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
morocco:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
morocco:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
morocco:
Displayed on the windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
morocco:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory
morocco:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Horn usage is more common compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
maldives:
Common practice
morocco:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
morocco:
Horn usage is more common compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
morocco:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common, especially at night |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
morocco:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
morocco:
Common, especially at night
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
morocco:
Substantial
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
morocco:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
morocco:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 19 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 19 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
morocco:
19
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
morocco:
19
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
morocco:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
morocco:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
morocco:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Mandatory, fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Varies; can be substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Possible but fines usually paid later |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
morocco:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
morocco:
Mandatory, fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
morocco:
Fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
morocco:
Possible but fines usually paid later
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
morocco:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay