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.
Lanes
| 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:
No
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:
No
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:
No
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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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