Driving in Maldives vs. Norway: Key Safety Differences
Explore the unique road regulations and driving practices of the Maldives and Norway in this comprehensive comparison. While the Maldives follows a left-side driving system, Norway adheres to right-side travel. Key disparities include speed limits, use of bus lanes, and alcohol tolerance, ensuring that travelers are well-informed for safe journeys abroad.
Lanes
| Maldives | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, when safe and legal. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| 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 '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 colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
maldives:
Left
norway:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
norway:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
norway:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
norway:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
norway:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
norway:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
maldives:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
maldives:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 80 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
norway:
30 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
norway:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
norway:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
maldives:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
norway:
Yes
Signals
| Maldives | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in Norway |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
norway:
Not used in Norway
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
norway:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Maldives | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
norway:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
norway:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted with a national driving license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | None |
| 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
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
norway:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
norway:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
norway:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | High fines and possible license revocation |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
norway:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
norway:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
norway:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
norway:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Yes, typically required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
norway:
Yes, typically required
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay