Driving Differences: Maldives vs. Myanmar Explained
When navigating the roadways of the Maldives and Myanmar, drivers encounter notable variations in regulations and practices. Key distinctions include driving sides—left in the Maldives versus right in Myanmar—and diverse speed limits. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure and hassle-free experience while abroad.
Lanes
| Maldives | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 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 | No, overtaking is on the right. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, when safe and legal. | Allowed as this is the side of overtaking. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. | Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be designated with road signs or markings. | Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Minimal | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. | Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles. |
| 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 |
Driving Side
maldives:
Left
myanmar:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
myanmar:
Marks the 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.
myanmar:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
myanmar:
No, overtaking is on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
myanmar:
Allowed as this is the side of overtaking.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
myanmar:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
myanmar:
Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
myanmar:
Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
myanmar:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
myanmar:
Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
myanmar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
myanmar:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
myanmar:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 70 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
myanmar:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
myanmar:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
maldives:
80 km/h
myanmar:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
80 km/h
myanmar:
50 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
myanmar:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
myanmar:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
myanmar:
70 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
myanmar:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
myanmar:
Yes
Signals
| Maldives | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in Myanmar |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Burmese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
myanmar:
Not used in Myanmar
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
myanmar:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
myanmar:
Burmese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
myanmar:
Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds
Turns
| Maldives | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Prohibited unless permitted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Prohibited unless permitted by signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by signs
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
myanmar:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on the 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
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
myanmar:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
myanmar:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, more common in cities |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
maldives:
Common practice
myanmar:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
myanmar:
Moderate use, more common in cities
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
myanmar:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.07% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Less common; often during festivals |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to arrest and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
myanmar:
0.07%
Limits: Professional Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
myanmar:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
myanmar:
Less common; often during festivals
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
myanmar:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
myanmar:
Can lead to arrest and fines
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
myanmar:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
myanmar:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Available through some insurance providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
myanmar:
199
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
myanmar:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
myanmar:
Available through some insurance providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
myanmar:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
myanmar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; small fines for minor overshoots |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Fine enforced; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Fines for usage while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines applied for violations |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Possible; else must be paid at office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
myanmar:
Varies; small fines for minor overshoots
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
myanmar:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
myanmar:
Fine enforced; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
myanmar:
Fines for usage while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
myanmar:
Fines applied for violations
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
myanmar:
Possible; else must be paid at office
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
myanmar:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay