Driving Safety: Maldives vs Vanuatu - Know the Differences
When navigating the unique roadways of the Maldives and Vanuatu, drivers will encounter distinct regulations and practices. Notably, while the Maldives drives on the left, Vanuatu adheres to right-side driving. This comparison highlights crucial aspects such as speed limits, lane usage, and overtaking rules, ensuring a safe and informed journey abroad.
Lanes
| Maldives | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| 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. | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Driving Side
maldives:
Left
vanuatu:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
vanuatu:
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.
vanuatu:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
vanuatu:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
vanuatu:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
vanuatu:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
maldives:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
maldives:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
maldives:
Common
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Maldives | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in Vanuatu |
| 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; 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
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
vanuatu:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Maldives | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
vanuatu:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
maldives:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
maldives:
Common practice
vanuatu:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Occasional |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
vanuatu:
Occasional
Test Refusal
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
vanuatu:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
vanuatu:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Possible; or through police stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
vanuatu:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay