Driving in Maldives vs. Tonga: Key Safety Differences

When exploring the unique driving landscapes of the Maldives and Tonga, notable distinctions emerge that every traveler should heed. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol regulations, these islands offer diverse rules that impact road safety. Understanding these variances can greatly enhance your confidence and security behind the wheel while navigating unfamiliar roads.

maldivestonga

RIGHT

Driving Side

The driving side in maldives is the Right Side of the road

Driving Safety Score

The driving Driving Safety Score in maldives is 96

0.908 $

Gas Price in USD

The driving Driving Safety Score for maldives is 0.908 US Dollars

While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.

Lanes

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	Maldives	Tonga
Markings: Solid Yellow Line	Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.	Often used to separate traffic directions.
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.
Bus Lanes: Presence	Limited	No
Bus Lanes: Usage	Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.	N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings	May be designated with road signs or markings.	N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence	Minimal	No
Cycle Lanes: Usage	Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.	N/A
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	N/A

Markings: Solid Yellow Line

maldives:

Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.

tonga:

Often used to separate traffic directions.

Markings: Dashed Yellow Line

maldives:

Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.

tonga:

Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.

Overtaking: On Left

maldives:

tonga:

Yes

Overtaking: On Right

maldives:

Yes, when safe and legal.

tonga:

Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.

Bus Lanes: Presence

maldives:

Limited

tonga:

Bus Lanes: Usage

maldives:

Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.

tonga:

N/A

Bus Lanes: Markings

maldives:

May be designated with road signs or markings.

tonga:

N/A

Cycle Lanes: Presence

maldives:

Minimal

tonga:

Cycle Lanes: Usage

maldives:

Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.

tonga:

N/A

Cycle Lanes: Markings

maldives:

Usually not specifically marked in many areas.

tonga:

N/A

High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements

maldives:

Not applicable

tonga:

N/A

Variable Speed Limits: Indications

maldives:

Not applicable

tonga:

N/A

Speeds Limits

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	Maldives	Tonga
Urban Areas: Standard	30 km/h	40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones	25 km/h	40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles	80 km/h	70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans	80 km/h	70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers	80 km/h	70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles	Not applicable	No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans	Not applicable	N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers	Not applicable	N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications	Not applicable	N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras	Yes	No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines	Common	Common; paid directly to traffic officers

Urban Areas: Standard

maldives:

30 km/h

tonga:

40-50 km/h

Urban Areas: Residential Zones

maldives:

25 km/h

tonga:

40 km/h

Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles

maldives:

80 km/h

tonga:

70-80 km/h

Rural Areas: Buses And Vans

maldives:

80 km/h

tonga:

70-80 km/h

Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers

maldives:

80 km/h

tonga:

70-80 km/h

Highways: Cars And Motorcycles

maldives:

Not applicable

tonga:

No specific highways with designated higher speed limits

Highways: Buses And Vans

maldives:

Not applicable

tonga:

N/A

Highways: Trucks And Trailers

maldives:

Not applicable

tonga:

N/A

Variable Speed Limits: Indications

maldives:

Not applicable

tonga:

N/A

Enforcement: Speed Cameras

maldives:

Yes

tonga:

No widespread use

Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines

maldives:

Common

tonga:

Common; paid directly to traffic officers

Signals

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	Maldives	Tonga
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together	Not commonly used in Maldives	Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts	Signal when exiting	Use indicators appropriately
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 Tongan; 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

tonga:

Not commonly used in Tonga

Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts

maldives:

Signal when exiting

tonga:

Use indicators appropriately

Horn Usage: Allowed

maldives:

Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies

tonga:

Only in cases to avoid accidents

Traffic Signs: Language

maldives:

Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard

tonga:

English and Tongan; symbols are standard

Traffic Signs: Warning

maldives:

Country-specific shapes and colors

tonga:

Diamond-shaped with yellow background

Turns

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	Maldives	Tonga
Right Turn On Red	Not allowed unless signed	Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed	Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated	Varies by location; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes	Limited, mainly at main intersections	Yes, marked with arrows

Right Turn On Red

maldives:

Not allowed unless signed

tonga:

Prohibited

U- Turns Allowed

maldives:

Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated

tonga:

Varies by location; check for signs

Special Turn Lanes

maldives:

Limited, mainly at main intersections

tonga:

Yes, marked with arrows

Documentation

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	Maldives	Tonga
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	Required; proof may be 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

tonga:

Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended

Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U

maldives:

Accepted with International Driving Permit

tonga:

Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended

Vehicle Inspection: Requirement

maldives:

Periodic checks required

tonga:

Required; proof may be required

Vehicle Inspection: Sticker

maldives:

Usually displayed on the vehicle

tonga:

Displayed on windshield

Road Etiquette

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	Maldives		Tonga
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging	Common practice		Common practice, especially in heavy traffic

Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging

maldives:

Common practice

tonga:

Common practice, especially in heavy traffic

Alcohol

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	Maldives	Tonga
Limits: General Drivers	0.00%	0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers	0.00%	0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers	0.00%	Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks	Less common	Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines	Fines can be substantial	Varies; can be substantial

Limits: General Drivers

maldives:

0.00%

tonga:

0.08%

Limits: Professional Drivers

maldives:

0.00%

tonga:

0.04%

Limits: Underage Drivers

maldives:

0.00%

tonga:

Zero tolerance

Enforcement: Random Checks

maldives:

Less common

tonga:

Common at specific times or checkpoints

Enforcement: Fines

maldives:

Fines can be substantial

tonga:

Varies; can be substantial

Roundabouts

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	Maldives	Tonga
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

tonga:

Signal left when preparing to exit

Lane Usage: Right

maldives:

Appropriate lanes as per signage

tonga:

Use for first exit or straight

Lane Usage: Left

maldives:

Appropriate lanes as per signage

tonga:

Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe

Emergency Services

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	Maldives		Tonga
Contact: General Emergency	119		911
Contact: Traffic Police	Contact local police for traffic issues		Contact local police

Contact: General Emergency

maldives:

119

tonga:

911

Contact: Traffic Police

maldives:

Contact local police for traffic issues

tonga:

Contact local police

Penalties And Fines

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	Maldives	Tonga
Common Fines: Speeding	Varies; fines start from MVR 750	Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Alcohol	Severe penalties including license suspension	Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts	Fines apply for non-compliance	Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use	Fines for use without hands-free	Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation	Substantial fines	Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot	Possible for minor offenses	Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline	Varies; typically within a specified time	Immediate payment preferred

Common Fines: Speeding

maldives:

Varies; fines start from MVR 750

tonga:

Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police

Common Fines: Alcohol

maldives:

Severe penalties including license suspension

tonga:

Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time

Common Fines: Seat Belts

maldives:

Fines apply for non-compliance

tonga:

Mandatory; fines for non-compliance

Common Fines: Phone Use

maldives:

Fines for use without hands-free

tonga:

Fines for handheld phone use while driving

Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation

maldives:

Substantial fines

tonga:

Fines apply

Payment: On The Spot

maldives:

Possible for minor offenses

tonga:

Common; fines usually paid immediately

Payment: Deadline

maldives:

Varies; typically within a specified time

tonga:

Immediate payment preferred