Driving Differences: Maldives vs New Zealand Explained
When navigating the roads of the Maldives and New Zealand, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experience. Key variations include speed limits, lane usage, and the presence of dedicated bus and cycle lanes. Understanding these disparities is crucial for ensuring a safe and compliant journey in each country.
Lanes
| Maldives | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. | Marks the right 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 right. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be designated with road signs or markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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 green pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
new zealand:
Marks the right 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.
new zealand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
new zealand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
new zealand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
maldives:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 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 | 90 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 | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
maldives:
80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
80 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
new zealand:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
maldives:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Maldives | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in New Zealand |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | English; 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
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
maldives:
Signal when exiting
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
new zealand:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Maldives | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
new zealand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
new zealand:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Move to the left and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
maldives:
Common practice
new zealand:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Pedestrians Priority
maldives:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Substantial fines, can vary widely |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and other penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
new zealand:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Maldives | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
| 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
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Lane Usage: Right
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
new zealand:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
new zealand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; $30 to $630, 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 | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
new zealand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay