Driving in Maldives vs Singapore: Key Differences Explained
Discover the unique aspects of road regulations in the Maldives and Singapore, two countries with distinct driving cultures. From speed limits to lane markings, this comparison highlights crucial disparities that affect travelers. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure driving experience while exploring the scenic routes of both nations.
Lanes
| Maldives | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. | Marks the right 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. | Not allowed. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be designated with road signs or markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
singapore:
Marks the right 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.
singapore:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
singapore:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
singapore:
Not allowed.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
singapore:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
singapore:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
singapore:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
singapore:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
singapore:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
maldives:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 80-90 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
singapore:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
singapore:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
maldives:
80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
maldives:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Maldives | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in Singapore |
| 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; 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
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
singapore:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
singapore:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Maldives | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
singapore:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
singapore:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Display not required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
singapore:
Display not required
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones |
Flashing Lights: Usage
maldives:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
maldives:
Common practice
singapore:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Pedestrians Priority
maldives:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Alcohol
| Maldives | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
singapore:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
singapore:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
singapore:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 995 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | $200 to $500, demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay