Driving Differences: Maldives vs. Switzerland for Safety
The driving experience in the Maldives and Switzerland showcases notable contrasts that are essential for road safety awareness. While the Maldives adheres to left-side driving, Switzerland operates on the right. Additionally, speed regulations and lane usage vary significantly, highlighting the importance of understanding local practices to ensure a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Maldives | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, when safe and legal. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| 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
switzerland:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
switzerland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
switzerland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
switzerland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
switzerland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
switzerland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
switzerland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
maldives:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 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 | 80 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, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
switzerland:
30 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
switzerland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
switzerland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
maldives:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Maldives | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Prepare to go |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
switzerland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Maldives | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
switzerland:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
switzerland:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
switzerland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
switzerland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Lane Usage: Right | Appropriate lanes as per signage | Use for the 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: Entering
maldives:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
switzerland:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
switzerland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
switzerland:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay