Driving Differences: Maldives vs. Slovakia Explained
The driving landscapes of the Maldives and Slovakia present intriguing contrasts that every traveler should be aware of. From the left-hand driving in the Maldives to Slovakia's right-side rules, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Key differences include speed limits, road signs, and lane usage, all pivotal for safe navigation in these distinct locales.
Lanes
| Maldives | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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
slovakia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
slovakia:
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.
slovakia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
slovakia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
slovakia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
slovakia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
slovakia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
slovakia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
slovakia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
slovakia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
slovakia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
slovakia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
maldives:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
slovakia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
slovakia:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
maldives:
80 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
slovakia:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
slovakia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
slovakia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
maldives:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
slovakia:
Yes
Signals
| Maldives | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in Slovakia |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Slovak; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Triangular-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
slovakia:
Not used in Slovakia
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
slovakia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
slovakia:
Slovak; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
slovakia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Maldives | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
slovakia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
slovakia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
slovakia:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 along with local license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Mandatory and regular inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on 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
slovakia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
slovakia:
International Driving Permit required along with local license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
slovakia:
Mandatory and regular inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
slovakia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
slovakia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory
slovakia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
slovakia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
slovakia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
slovakia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
slovakia:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
slovakia:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
slovakia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
slovakia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
slovakia:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
slovakia:
Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
slovakia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
slovakia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | €50 to €150, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | €100 to €200, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | €100 to €250, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
slovakia:
Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
slovakia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
slovakia:
€50 to €150, points in some regions
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
slovakia:
€100 to €200, points in some regions
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
slovakia:
€100 to €250, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
slovakia:
Common
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
slovakia:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay