Driving Differences: Maldives vs Uzbekistan for Travelers
Exploring the road rules in the Maldives and Uzbekistan reveals fascinating contrasts. While the Maldives drives on the left, Uzbekistan adheres to right-side navigation. Speed limits and lane usage also diverge significantly, affecting your travel experience. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either destination.
Lanes
| Maldives | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. | Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided 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 discouraged, unless unavoidable. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use the rightmost lane where possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. | Reserved for buses in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be designated with road signs or markings. | Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Minimal | Limited, mostly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. | May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
maldives:
Left
uzbekistan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
uzbekistan:
Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
uzbekistan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
uzbekistan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
uzbekistan:
Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
maldives:
List length: 5
uzbekistan:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
uzbekistan:
Use the rightmost lane where possible.
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
uzbekistan:
Reserved for buses in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
uzbekistan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
uzbekistan:
Limited, mostly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
uzbekistan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
uzbekistan:
May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
uzbekistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
uzbekistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 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 | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
uzbekistan:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
uzbekistan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
uzbekistan:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
maldives:
80 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
uzbekistan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
uzbekistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
uzbekistan:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Maldives | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in Uzbekistan |
| 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 | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Uzbek and Russian; 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
uzbekistan:
Not used in Uzbekistan
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
uzbekistan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
uzbekistan:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
maldives:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
uzbekistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Hand Signals: Common Usage
maldives:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
uzbekistan:
Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
uzbekistan:
Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
uzbekistan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Maldives | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Allowed except where prohibited by signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
uzbekistan:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
uzbekistan:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
uzbekistan:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
uzbekistan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
uzbekistan:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Encouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Generally more frequent due to local driving habits |
| 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
uzbekistan:
Encouraged
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
uzbekistan:
Generally more frequent due to local driving habits
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
uzbekistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21 |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Substantial, varies by severity of infraction |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
uzbekistan:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
uzbekistan:
0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
uzbekistan:
Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
uzbekistan:
Substantial, varies by severity of infraction
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
uzbekistan:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
uzbekistan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 103 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 102 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
uzbekistan:
103
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
uzbekistan:
102
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Fines for using phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines issued, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
uzbekistan:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
uzbekistan:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
uzbekistan:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
uzbekistan:
Fines for using phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
uzbekistan:
Fines issued, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
uzbekistan:
Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
uzbekistan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
maldives:
Possible if fines are not paid
uzbekistan:
Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines