Driving Safety: Maldives vs. Romania - Key Differences
When driving in the Maldives versus Romania, road users encounter significant contrasts in traffic regulations and practices. Key distinctions include driving on the left in the Maldives, while Romania adheres to right-side travel. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring safety and compliance during your journey abroad.
Lanes
| Maldives | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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 taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be designated with road signs or markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| 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 and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Not commonly used |
Driving Side
maldives:
Left
romania:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
romania:
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.
romania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
romania:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
romania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
romania:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
romania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
romania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
romania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
romania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
romania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
romania:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
romania:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
romania:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
romania:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
romania:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
romania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
romania:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
romania:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Maldives | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in Romania |
| 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; restrictions apply in some areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Romanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
romania:
Not used in Romania
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
romania:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Maldives | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
romania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
romania:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Yes, periodic inspections 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
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
romania:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
romania:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
romania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory
romania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use expected |
| 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
romania:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
romania:
Moderate use expected
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
romania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Considerable fines for offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
romania:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
romania:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Call your insurance provider or a local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
romania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Hefty fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines applicable; license points may be added |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
maldives:
Possible if fines are not paid
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist