Driving Differences: Maldives vs Thailand for Travelers
When navigating the roads of the Maldives and Thailand, understanding the distinct traffic regulations and customs is crucial for a safe journey. From lane markings and speed limits to rules on overtaking, this comparison highlights the significant contrasts between these two nations, ensuring you drive confidently while enjoying your travels.
Lanes
| Maldives | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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: 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.
thailand:
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.
thailand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
thailand:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
thailand:
Prohibited
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
thailand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
thailand:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
thailand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
thailand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
thailand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
thailand:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
thailand:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
thailand:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
thailand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
80 km/h
thailand:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
thailand:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
thailand:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
thailand:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
thailand:
Yes
Signals
| Maldives | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in Thailand |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
thailand:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| Maldives | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Allowed at intersections 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
thailand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
thailand:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| 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 | Mandatory for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 to alert other drivers |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
maldives:
Common practice
thailand:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Substantial fines and possible imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
thailand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
thailand:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
thailand:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 left lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Exiting
maldives:
Signal right when preparing to exit
thailand:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
thailand:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
thailand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days