Driving in Maldives vs. South Africa: Key Differences
When driving abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial. In this comparison between the Maldives and South Africa, we explore significant distinctions such as lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol regulations. Discover how these variations influence safe navigation and help ensure a smooth journey in each unique environment.
Lanes
| Maldives | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, when safe and legal. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be designated with road signs or markings. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| 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: 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.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
maldives:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Maldives | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in South Africa |
| 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 | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
south africa:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Maldives | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
south africa:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
south africa:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
maldives:
Common practice
south africa:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Alcohol
| Maldives | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Maldives | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
south africa:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
south africa:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay