Driving in the Maldives vs. Portugal: Key Differences
When venturing from the Maldives to Portugal, understanding the distinct road regulations can significantly enhance your travel experience. Key contrasts include driving on the left in the Maldives versus the right in Portugal, varying speed limits, and differing lane etiquette. Familiarizing yourself with these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Maldives | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Prohibited. |
| 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 taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be designated with road signs or markings. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
maldives:
Left
portugal:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
portugal:
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.
portugal:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
portugal:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
portugal:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
portugal:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
portugal:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
portugal:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
portugal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
portugal:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
maldives:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 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 | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 90 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 | Possible |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
portugal:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
portugal:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
80 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
portugal:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
portugal:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
maldives:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Maldives | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in Portugal |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
portugal:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Maldives | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
portugal:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
portugal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory
portugal:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| 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
portugal:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
portugal:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
portugal:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
portugal:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
portugal:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
portugal:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
portugal:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
portugal:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay