Driving in Maldives vs. Nepal: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the unique driving customs of the Maldives and Nepal reveals notable contrasts in road regulations and safety practices. From speed limits and lane usage to traffic signals and emergency protocols, understanding these variations is essential for a secure journey abroad. Prepare for your travels by grasping these critical distinctions between these two captivating nations.
Lanes
| Maldives | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. | Marks the edge of the road. |
| 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 Right | Yes, when safe and legal. | Yes, with caution. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Keep left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be designated with road signs or markings. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Minimal | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. | N/A |
| 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
nepal:
Marks the edge of the road.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
nepal:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
nepal:
Yes, with caution.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
nepal:
Keep left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
nepal:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
nepal:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
nepal:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
nepal:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
nepal:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
nepal:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
nepal:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
nepal:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 20-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 60 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
nepal:
20-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
nepal:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
nepal:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
maldives:
80 km/h
nepal:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
80 km/h
nepal:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
nepal:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
nepal:
60 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
nepal:
60 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
nepal:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
maldives:
Yes
nepal:
No
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
nepal:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Maldives | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in Nepal |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Nepali and English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
maldives:
Amber
nepal:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
nepal:
Not used in Nepal
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
nepal:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
nepal:
Nepali and English
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
nepal:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Maldives | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Varies by locality; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
nepal:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
nepal:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
nepal:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Mandatory; proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
nepal:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
nepal:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
nepal:
Mandatory; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
nepal:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
nepal:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
maldives:
Common practice
nepal:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
nepal:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Maldives | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Not applicable as underage driving is illegal |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
nepal:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
nepal:
Not applicable as underage driving is illegal
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
nepal:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
nepal:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| 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 left lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Exiting
maldives:
Signal right when preparing to exit
nepal:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
nepal:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
nepal:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 100 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 100 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
nepal:
100
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
nepal:
100
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nepal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; NPR 2,000 to NPR 5,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | NPR 500 to NPR 1,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | NPR 1,000 to NPR 5,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | NPR 1,000 to NPR 2,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Yes, common practice |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
nepal:
Varies; NPR 2,000 to NPR 5,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
nepal:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
nepal:
NPR 500 to NPR 1,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
nepal:
NPR 1,000 to NPR 5,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
nepal:
NPR 1,000 to NPR 2,000
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
nepal:
Yes, common practice
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
nepal:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay