Driving in Maldives vs. Oman: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of the Maldives and Oman, drivers encounter distinct rules and practices that influence their travel experience. From varying driving sides to speed limits and road markings, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure journey. Explore how these two nations prioritize road safety and etiquette, enhancing your confidence behind the wheel abroad.
Lanes
| Maldives | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 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 | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be designated with road signs or markings. | N/A |
| 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: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
maldives:
Left
oman:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
oman:
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.
oman:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
oman:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
oman:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
oman:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
oman:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
oman:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
oman:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
oman:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
oman:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
oman:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
oman:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
oman:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 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 | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
oman:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
oman:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
oman:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
maldives:
80 km/h
oman:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
oman:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
oman:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
oman:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
oman:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
oman:
Yes
Signals
| Maldives | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in Oman |
| 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 | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Arabic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
oman:
Not used in Oman
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
oman:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
oman:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
oman:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
oman:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Maldives | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
oman:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
oman:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
oman:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Regular inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
oman:
Regular inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
oman:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
oman:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory
oman:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Use more frequent compared to some countries |
| 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
oman:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
oman:
Use more frequent compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
oman:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Substantial fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties |
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
oman:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
oman:
Substantial fines
Test Refusal
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
oman:
Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
oman:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
oman:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 9999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 9999 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
oman:
9999
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
oman:
9999
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
oman:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
oman:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; fines can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines can be substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; ensure timely payment |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
oman:
Varies; fines can be substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
oman:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
oman:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
oman:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
oman:
Fines can be substantial
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
oman:
Common
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
oman:
Varies; ensure timely payment