Driving in the Maldives vs. Taiwan: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of the Maldives and Taiwan, drivers encounter striking contrasts in regulations and practices. From their distinct driving sides—left in the Maldives and right in Taiwan—to varying speed limits and lane usage, understanding these nuances is essential for safe and enjoyable travels. Navigate confidently by familiarizing yourself with the key distinctions between these two fascinating destinations.
Lanes
| Maldives | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be designated with road signs or markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Minimal | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. | Exclusive for bicycles and scooters. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. | Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two or more occupants during peak times |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
maldives:
Left
taiwan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
taiwan:
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.
taiwan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
taiwan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
taiwan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
taiwan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
maldives:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
maldives:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 80-90 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, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
taiwan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
maldives:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
maldives:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Maldives | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in Taiwan |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
taiwan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Maldives | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
taiwan:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 in busy areas |
| 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
taiwan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
taiwan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
taiwan:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
taiwan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Steep fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay