Driving in the Maldives vs. Poland: Key Differences
When venturing abroad, understanding the driving customs is crucial for ensuring safety. This comparison between the Maldives and Poland reveals significant contrasts, such as driving sides, speed limits, and road etiquette. While the Maldives adheres to left-side travel, Poland follows the right. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can enhance your experience and security on foreign roads.
Lanes
Maldives | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Driving Side | Left | Right |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. | Used for temporary markings, such as during road works. |
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives. | Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe. |
Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
Overtaking: On Right | Yes, when safe and legal. | Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads. |
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, taxis, and bicycles where specified. |
Bus Lanes: Markings | May be designated with road signs or markings. | Labeled 'BUS' on the road. |
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 sometimes colored pavement. |
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
maldives:
Left
poland:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
poland:
Used for temporary markings, such as during road works.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
poland:
Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
poland:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
poland:
Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
poland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
poland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
poland:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
poland:
Labeled 'BUS' on the road.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
poland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
poland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
poland:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
poland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
maldives:
No
poland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
Maldives | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 20 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 140 km/h |
Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 100 km/h |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 80 km/h |
Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation. |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
poland:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
poland:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
poland:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
80 km/h
poland:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
poland:
140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
poland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
poland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
maldives:
No
poland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
poland:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation.
Signals
Maldives | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Signals a change to green is imminent. |
Use Of Indicators: Mandatory | Yes, for all turns and lane changes | Yes, for all turns and lane changes. |
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
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; local ordinances may apply. |
Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Polish; symbols are standard. |
Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Triangular with red border. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
maldives:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
poland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
poland:
Signals a change to green is imminent.
Use Of Indicators: Mandatory
maldives:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes
poland:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
maldives:
Signal when exiting
poland:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
poland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
poland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
Horn Usage: Penalties
maldives:
Fines may apply for misuse
poland:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
maldives:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
poland:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
maldives:
Not to be used to signal other messages
poland:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
maldives:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
poland:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
maldives:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
poland:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
poland:
Polish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
maldives:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
poland:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
poland:
Triangular with red border.
Turns
Maldives | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Allowed only if a green arrow is present. |
Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Varies by location; check for signs. |
Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows. |
Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
poland:
Allowed only if a green arrow is present.
Left Turn: General
maldives:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
poland:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
maldives:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
poland:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
poland:
Varies by location; check for signs.
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
poland:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
maldives:
Prohibited
poland:
Prohibited.
Documentation
Maldives | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
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 with International Driving Permit. |
Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Mandatory every year. |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield. |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory. |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Requirement
maldives:
Valid driver's license required
poland:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
poland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
poland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit.
Insurance
maldives:
Liability insurance mandatory
poland:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
poland:
Mandatory every year.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
poland:
Displayed on windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
Maldives | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries. |
Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. |
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
maldives:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
poland:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
maldives:
Discouraged, fines may apply
poland:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
maldives:
Common practice
poland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
maldives:
Discouraged and may be penalized
poland:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
maldives:
Only in emergency situations
poland:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
poland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
Pedestrians Priority
maldives:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
poland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
poland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
maldives:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
poland:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
Maldives | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common; checkpoints used frequently. |
Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial. |
Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. |
Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
poland:
0.02%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
maldives:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
poland:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
maldives:
Check if medication affects driving ability
poland:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
poland:
Common; checkpoints used frequently.
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
poland:
Varies; can be substantial.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
maldives:
Possible for severe offenses
poland:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
poland:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
Maldives | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. |
Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
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. |
Priority: Entering
maldives:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
poland:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
maldives:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
poland:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
maldives:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
poland:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
maldives:
Signal right when preparing to exit
poland:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
poland:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
poland:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
Maldives | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 997 |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 981 or through your insurance provider. |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory. |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory. |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
poland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
poland:
997
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
poland:
981 or through your insurance provider.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
poland:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
poland:
Mandatory.
Penalties And Fines
Maldives | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles. |
Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Mandatory, fines apply. |
Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Fines apply for use without hands-free device. |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines and license points apply. |
Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Rare; usually paid online or by mail. |
Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay. |
Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
poland:
Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles.
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
poland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
poland:
Mandatory, fines apply.
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
poland:
Fines apply for use without hands-free device.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
poland:
Fines and license points apply.
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
poland:
Rare; usually paid online or by mail.
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
poland:
Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
maldives:
Same as residents; must be paid
poland:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
maldives:
Possible if fines are not paid
poland:
Possible if fines are not paid.