Driving in Maldives vs. Russia: Key Differences Explained
Explore the distinct driving landscapes of the Maldives and Russia in our comprehensive comparison. While the Maldives mandates left-side travel with unique lane markings, Russia favors right-side navigation and implements variable speed limits. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in both countries.
Lanes
| Maldives | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided 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 taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be designated with road signs or markings. | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. |
| 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
russia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
russia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
russia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
russia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
russia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
russia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
russia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
russia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
russia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
russia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
maldives:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 60 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: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 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 | 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 | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
maldives:
80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
80 km/h
russia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
russia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
russia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
maldives:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Maldives | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in Russia |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
russia:
Not used in Russia
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
russia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Maldives | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
russia:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
russia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
russia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
russia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.035% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common, especially in cities |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
russia:
0.035%
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
russia:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
russia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
russia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
russia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; substantial fines |
| 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 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
russia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay