Driving in Maldives vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of the Maldives and North Macedonia, drivers will encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence their journeys. Key highlights include the left-side driving in the Maldives versus the right-side norm in North Macedonia, as well as varied speed limits and signaling protocols. Understanding these nuances is vital for ensuring safety and compliance on international roads.
Lanes
| Maldives | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 left 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. | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
| 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' or 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 marked paths. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
maldives:
Left
north macedonia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
north macedonia:
Marks the left 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.
north macedonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
north macedonia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
north macedonia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
north macedonia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
north macedonia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
north macedonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
north macedonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
north macedonia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
north macedonia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
80 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
north macedonia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
north macedonia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
| Maldives | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Prepare to go |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Prohibited in urban areas at night |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to signal other messages |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
maldives:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
north macedonia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
maldives:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
maldives:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Maldives | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
north macedonia:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
north macedonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
north macedonia:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Maldives | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
north macedonia:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
north macedonia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact local service providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
north macedonia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, 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 | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
north macedonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay