Driving in Maldives vs. Sri Lanka: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of the Maldives and Sri Lanka, it's essential to understand their unique regulations and practices. Key distinctions include speed limits in urban areas and lane usage for cyclists and buses. Familiarizing yourself with these driving nuances ensures a safer journey in both beautiful countries.
Lanes
| Maldives | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Right | Yes, when safe and legal. | Allowed when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be designated with road signs or markings. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Minimal | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. | Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
sri lanka:
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.
sri lanka:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
sri lanka:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
sri lanka:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
sri lanka:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
sri lanka:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
sri lanka:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
maldives:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
sri lanka:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Maldives | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
sri lanka:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Hand Signals: Common Usage
maldives:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| Maldives | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
sri lanka:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
sri lanka:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Yes, proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 compared to some countries |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
maldives:
Common practice
sri lanka:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Maldives | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
sri lanka:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
sri lanka:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 119 or contact local police |
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
sri lanka:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay