Driving in the Maldives vs. Pakistan: Key Differences
The driving landscapes of the Maldives and Pakistan present intriguing contrasts that are essential for travelers. While the Maldives emphasizes strict lane markings and lower speed limits, Pakistan features a more dynamic approach with variable speed regulations and extensive bus lanes. Understanding these distinctions can significantly enhance your road safety and overall experience in each country.
Lanes
| Maldives | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. |
| 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 | Prohibited |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, when safe and legal. | Yes, allowed on open roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, in major cities |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be designated with road signs or markings. | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Minimal | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. | Primarily in some urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. | Bicycle symbols on road. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
pakistan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
maldives:
80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Maldives | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used |
| 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 in residential areas |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used in some rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
pakistan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
maldives:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Maldives | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
pakistan:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
maldives:
Common practice
pakistan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
maldives:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Maldives | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
pakistan:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
pakistan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay