Driving in Maldives vs. Turkey: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of the Maldives and Turkey, drivers will encounter distinct regulations and practices that can impact their journey. Key contrasts include driving sides—left in the Maldives versus right in Turkey—and varying speed limits. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience on unfamiliar terrain.
Lanes
| Maldives | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| 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 with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
maldives:
Left
turkey:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
turkey:
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.
turkey:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
turkey:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
turkey:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
turkey:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
turkey:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
turkey:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
turkey:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
turkey:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
maldives:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
turkey:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
turkey:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
turkey:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
turkey:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
maldives:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Maldives | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
turkey:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Maldives | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
turkey:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| 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
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
| 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
turkey:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
turkey:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
turkey:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
turkey:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
turkey:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
turkey:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
turkey:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges