Driving in Maldives vs. Saudi Arabia: Key Differences
Exploring the roads of the Maldives and Saudi Arabia presents unique challenges and regulations that every traveler should understand. Key distinctions include driving on the left in the Maldives versus the right in Saudi Arabia, varying speed limits, and differing protocols for emergency vehicles. Stay informed to navigate these diverse landscapes safely.
Lanes
| Maldives | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
maldives:
Left
saudi arabia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
saudi arabia:
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.
saudi arabia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
saudi arabia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
saudi arabia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
saudi arabia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
saudi arabia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
saudi arabia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
saudi arabia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
maldives:
No
saudi arabia:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
saudi arabia:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
saudi arabia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 120-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
saudi arabia:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
saudi arabia:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
maldives:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
saudi arabia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
saudi arabia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
Signals
| Maldives | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in Saudi Arabia |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Arabic; 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
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
saudi arabia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
saudi arabia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Maldives | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
saudi arabia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
saudi arabia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
saudi arabia:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mandatory periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection |
| 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
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use for communication on the road |
| 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
saudi arabia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
saudi arabia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common, random checkpoints are used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Substantial; possible imprisonment |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Frequent for offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties |
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
Enforcement: Imprisonment
maldives:
Possible for severe offenses
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
Test Refusal
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
saudi arabia:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
saudi arabia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 993 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
saudi arabia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
saudi arabia:
993
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
saudi arabia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Substantial fines, imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
saudi arabia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay