Driving in the Maldives vs. Samoa: Key Safety Differences
Discover the unique nuances of road regulations in the Maldives and Samoa. While both nations prioritize safety, they differ significantly in lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol regulations. Understanding these distinctions can enhance your driving experience and ensure a secure journey in these beautiful island destinations.
Lanes
| Maldives | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. | Marks the centerline on two-way 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 Right | Yes, when safe and legal. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be designated with road signs or markings. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Minimal | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
samoa:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
samoa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
samoa:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
maldives:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
samoa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
samoa:
Yes
Signals
| Maldives | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in Samoa |
| 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 Samoan; 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
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
samoa:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Maldives | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Not allowed |
| 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
samoa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
samoa:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
maldives:
Common practice
samoa:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Alcohol
| Maldives | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
samoa:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left 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 |
Signaling: Exiting
maldives:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
samoa:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
samoa:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 685-22-222 |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
samoa:
685-22-222
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; ST$50 to ST$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 | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
samoa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay