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.

maldivesoman

RIGHT

Driving Side

The driving side in maldives is the Right Side of the road

Driving Safety Score

The driving Driving Safety Score in maldives is 96

0.908 $

Gas Price in USD

The driving Driving Safety Score for maldives is 0.908 US Dollars

While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.

Lanes

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	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:

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:

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

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	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

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	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

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	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

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	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

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	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

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	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

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	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

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	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

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	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