Driving Safely: Maldives vs. Philippines Road Rules
The driving landscape in the Maldives and the Philippines presents unique contrasts that are crucial for ensuring road safety. From lane usage to speed limits, these nations exhibit differing practices, such as driving on the left in the Maldives versus the right in the Philippines. Understanding these variations is essential for a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Maldives | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets. |
| 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 PUVs. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be designated with road signs or markings. | Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Minimal | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. | Shared with motorcycles or 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 occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Not commonly used |
Driving Side
maldives:
Left
philippines:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
philippines:
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.
philippines:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
philippines:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
philippines:
Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
philippines:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
philippines:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
philippines:
Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
philippines:
Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
philippines:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
philippines:
Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
philippines:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
maldives:
No
philippines:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
philippines:
Minimum two occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
philippines:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 40 kph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 20 kph |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80 kph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70 kph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 kph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 80 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 80 kph |
| Speed Units | km/h | kph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Less common; fines are usually issued later |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
philippines:
40 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
philippines:
20 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
maldives:
80 km/h
philippines:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
80 km/h
philippines:
50 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
philippines:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
philippines:
80 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
philippines:
80 kph
Speed Units
maldives:
km/h
philippines:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
philippines:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
philippines:
Less common; fines are usually issued later
Signals
| Maldives | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | English and Filipino; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
philippines:
Not used
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
philippines:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
philippines:
English and Filipino; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
philippines:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Maldives | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Common, check for signs indicating restrictions |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
philippines:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
philippines:
Common, check for signs indicating restrictions
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
philippines:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Required for registration; certificate must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
maldives:
Liability insurance mandatory
philippines:
Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
philippines:
Required for registration; certificate must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
philippines:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
philippines:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users |
| 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
philippines:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
philippines:
Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
philippines:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Severe for violations, may include imprisonment |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
philippines:
Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
philippines:
Severe for violations, may include imprisonment
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
philippines:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
philippines:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
philippines:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
philippines:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
philippines:
Check with your insurance provider or AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
philippines:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | PHP 300 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | PHP 1000 to PHP 5000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | PHP 1000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
philippines:
Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
philippines:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
philippines:
PHP 300
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
philippines:
PHP 1000 to PHP 5000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
philippines:
PHP 1000
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
philippines:
Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
philippines:
Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance