Driving Differences: Maldives vs Nigeria for Safe Travel
The driving landscape in the Maldives and Nigeria showcases fascinating contrasts that are vital for travelers. While the Maldives follows left-side traffic rules, Nigeria adheres to right-side driving. This comparison reveals significant variances in speed limits, lane usage, and road etiquette, emphasizing the need for awareness to ensure a safe journey in both destinations.
Lanes
| Maldives | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. | Used as a divider on major roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives. | Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, when safe and legal. | Only where permitted and safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane where applicable. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. | Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be designated with road signs or markings. | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Minimal | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. | Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Not commonly used |
Driving Side
maldives:
Left
nigeria:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
nigeria:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
nigeria:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
nigeria:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
nigeria:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare, mostly manual enforcement |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
80 km/h
nigeria:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
nigeria:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
nigeria:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
nigeria:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
maldives:
Yes
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Maldives | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to other road users |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not commonly used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | Often used to signal presence or warning |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Rare but can apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not for other messages |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common in certain areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | English; symbols can vary |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
maldives:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
maldives:
Fines may apply for misuse
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
maldives:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
maldives:
Not to be used to signal other messages
nigeria:
Not for other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
maldives:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Maldives | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Generally not allowed unless indicated |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Varies by locality; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Rarely marked |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
nigeria:
Rarely marked
Documentation
| Maldives | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
maldives:
Liability insurance mandatory
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
nigeria:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and can lead to fines |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used, but officially for emergencies |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, similar to some other countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
maldives:
Discouraged, fines may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
maldives:
Common practice
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
maldives:
Discouraged and may be penalized
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
Use Of Horn: Limited
maldives:
Only in emergency situations
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
Pedestrians Priority
maldives:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Occasional roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Fines vary across states |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for repeated or severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Likely to result in arrest or fines |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
Enforcement: Imprisonment
maldives:
Possible for severe offenses
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
Test Refusal
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal appropriately when entering if turning |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal 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 |
Priority: Inside
maldives:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
Signaling: Entering
maldives:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
Signaling: Exiting
maldives:
Signal right when preparing to exit
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
nigeria:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 or 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | Varies by region; check local contact |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
nigeria:
112 or 199
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Varies; fines and potential jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Common; usually with cash |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies by offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
nigeria:
Varies by offense