Driving Differences: Maldives vs Paraguay Explained
Driving in the Maldives and Paraguay presents unique contrasts that are crucial for road safety. While the Maldives follows left-hand traffic, Paraguay adheres to right-hand rules. Notably, speed limits vary significantly, with urban areas set at 30 km/h in the Maldives compared to 40 km/h in Paraguay. Understanding these distinctions ensures a safer experience on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Maldives | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Rarely, usually prohibited. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, mainly in urban areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be designated with road signs or markings. | Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Minimal | Limited, mainly in urban areas. |
| 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; may not always be separated by color. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
maldives:
Left
paraguay:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
paraguay:
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.
paraguay:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
paraguay:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
paraguay:
Rarely, usually prohibited.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
paraguay:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
paraguay:
Yes, mainly in urban areas.
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
paraguay:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
paraguay:
Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
paraguay:
Limited, mainly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
paraguay:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
paraguay:
Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
paraguay:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
paraguay:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, in major cities. |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
paraguay:
40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
paraguay:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
80 km/h
paraguay:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
paraguay:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
paraguay:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
paraguay:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
paraguay:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
maldives:
Yes
paraguay:
Yes, in major cities.
Signals
| Maldives | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in Paraguay |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Spanish; standard symbols used as well |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
paraguay:
Not used in Paraguay
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
paraguay:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
paraguay:
Spanish; standard symbols used as well
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
paraguay:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Maldives | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Allowed where 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
paraguay:
Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated.
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
paraguay:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
paraguay:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on vehicle windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
paraguay:
Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
paraguay:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
paraguay:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent than in some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to allow passage |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
maldives:
Common practice
paraguay:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
paraguay:
More frequent than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
maldives:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
paraguay:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
paraguay:
Pull over to allow passage
Alcohol
| Maldives | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common; police checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
paraguay:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
paraguay:
Common; police checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
paraguay:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
paraguay:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
paraguay:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
paraguay:
911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
paraguay:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
paraguay:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
paraguay:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Substantial fines and penalties |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; usually within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
paraguay:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
paraguay:
Substantial fines and penalties
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
paraguay:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
paraguay:
Varies; usually within 30 days