Driving Differences: Maldives vs Tunisia Uncovered
The driving landscapes of the Maldives and Tunisia present intriguing contrasts that every traveler should note. From varying speed limits to distinct lane regulations, understanding these key discrepancies is vital for ensuring a secure experience on the roads. Get ready to navigate the unique traffic norms of these two captivating destinations!
Lanes
| Maldives | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Not typically permitted. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| 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 |
Driving Side
maldives:
Left
tunisia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
tunisia:
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.
tunisia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
tunisia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
tunisia:
Not typically permitted.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
tunisia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
tunisia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
tunisia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
tunisia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
tunisia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
tunisia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
tunisia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 90 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
tunisia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
tunisia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
maldives:
80 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
tunisia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
tunisia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
tunisia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
tunisia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
tunisia:
Yes
Signals
| Maldives | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not typically used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; 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
tunisia:
Not typically used
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
tunisia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
tunisia:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
tunisia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Maldives | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
tunisia:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
tunisia:
Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
tunisia:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Mandatory; 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
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
tunisia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
tunisia:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
| 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
tunisia:
Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
tunisia:
Moderate use
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
tunisia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common; checkpoints used broadly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Substantial; varies by offense |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
tunisia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
tunisia:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
tunisia:
Common; checkpoints used broadly
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
tunisia:
Substantial; varies by offense
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
tunisia:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
tunisia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 197 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 197 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
tunisia:
197
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
tunisia:
197
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
tunisia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; DT 40 to DT 500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | DT 40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | DT 60 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Varies; DT 60 to DT 200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
tunisia:
Varies; DT 40 to DT 500
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
tunisia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
tunisia:
DT 40
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
tunisia:
DT 60
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
tunisia:
Varies; DT 60 to DT 200
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
tunisia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
tunisia:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay