Driving in the Maldives vs. Spain: Key Differences Explained
When traversing the roads of the Maldives and Spain, drivers encounter notable variations in traffic regulations and practices. From contrasting driving orientations—left in the Maldives versus right in Spain—to distinct speed limits and lane usage, understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Explore the key distinctions to enhance your driving experience. .
Lanes
| Maldives | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| 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 taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be designated with road signs or markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
maldives:
Left
spain:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
spain:
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.
spain:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
spain:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
spain:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
spain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
spain:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
maldives:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
maldives:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 120 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, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
maldives:
80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
80 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
maldives:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Maldives | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in Spain |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
spain:
Not used in Spain
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
spain:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Maldives | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
spain:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| 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
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
| 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
spain:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
spain:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
spain:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay