Driving in the Maldives vs. Netherlands: Key Differences
When traveling abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is essential for safe navigation. In this comparison, we delve into the distinct driving practices between the Maldives and the Netherlands. Key contrasts include driving sides, speed limits, and traffic etiquette, highlighting the unique challenges and considerations each country presents for motorists.
Lanes
| Maldives | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives. | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. |
| 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: 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 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| 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 often distinct red coloring. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
maldives:
Left
netherlands:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
netherlands:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
netherlands:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
netherlands:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
netherlands:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
maldives:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
netherlands:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
netherlands:
30 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
maldives:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Maldives | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in Netherlands |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Dutch; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
netherlands:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Maldives | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
netherlands:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
netherlands:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
| 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 |
Signaling: Entering
maldives:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Lane Usage: Right
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
netherlands:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
netherlands:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
netherlands:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| 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, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required