Driving in Maldives vs. Tanzania: Key Safety Insights
Explore the essential contrasts in road regulations and practices between the Maldives and Tanzania. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol restrictions and emergency protocols, driving in these two countries presents unique challenges. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring safe journeys while abroad.
Lanes
| Maldives | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Yes |
| 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 'DART'; 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 dedicated lanes. |
| 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.
tanzania:
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.
tanzania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
tanzania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
tanzania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
tanzania:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
tanzania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
tanzania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
tanzania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30-50 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
tanzania:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
tanzania:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
tanzania:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
tanzania:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
tanzania:
Yes
Signals
| Maldives | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in Tanzania |
| 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 and Swahili; 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
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
tanzania:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
tanzania:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Maldives | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
tanzania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
tanzania:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| 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
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
tanzania:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
tanzania:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate usage compared to some countries |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
maldives:
Common practice
tanzania:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Maldives | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Significant fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
tanzania:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
tanzania:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
tanzania:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
tanzania:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 112 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
tanzania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
tanzania:
112
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
tanzania:
Common
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
tanzania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay