Driving Differences: Maldives vs United Arab Emirates
Explore the driving landscape between the Maldives and the United Arab Emirates, where key distinctions can impact your safety on the roads. From differing lane usage and speed limits to unique traffic regulations, understanding these contrasts is essential for a secure travel experience in both nations. Stay informed and drive safely abroad!
Lanes
| Maldives | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 some 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. | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 6 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be designated with road signs or markings. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Minimal | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| 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: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Driving Side
maldives:
Left
united arab emirates:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
united arab emirates:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
maldives:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
united arab emirates:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
maldives:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
maldives:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 80-100 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 | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
maldives:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
maldives:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Maldives | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in UAE |
| 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 discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
united arab emirates:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Maldives | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
united arab emirates:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| 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 | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
| 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
united arab emirates:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Maldives | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
united arab emirates:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
united arab emirates:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay