Zero Alcohol, Left-Hand Traffic — Maldives in 2026
Data verified:
3 min readMaldives drives on the left side of the road. The minimum driving age is 18. The motorway speed limit is 100 km/h. The general emergency number is 112. Foreign drivers should carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside their valid national licence.
Maldives drives on the left. Left-hand traffic requires extra attention from right-side drivers. Use our penalty calculator and printable checklist below.
Maldives requires a warning triangle and hi-vis vest in the vehicle at all times, and roadside checks do happen; the penalty for a missing item is set locally and we do not publish a figure we cannot verify. Rental companies rarely include the full kit; ask before leaving the lot.
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Maldives sets its blood-alcohol limit at zero, so a single drink before driving is already a violation. Traffic keeps to the left, which means right-side drivers should take extra care at junctions and roundabouts. Speed limits run 50 km/h in towns, 80 km/h on rural roads and 100 km/h on motorways, and a driver must be at least 18 to hold a licence.
Speed limits are 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on rural roads, and 100 km/h on motorways. The blood alcohol limit is zero. You must be at least 18 to drive.
Emergency Numbers in Maldives
General Emergency: 112 | Police: 112
Save these numbers before you start driving. In Maldives, emergency calls are free from any phone.
Speed Limits in Maldives
The default speed limits for passenger cars in Maldives are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on rural roads, and 100 km/h on motorways.
Trucks and vehicles over 3.5 tonnes have lower limits: 50 km/h urban, 70 km/h rural, and 80 km/h on motorways.
For comparison, motorway limits in nearby countries: Pakistan (120 km/h), India (120 km/h).
Important: Posted signs always override default limits. Watch for temporary restrictions in construction zones, near schools, and in residential areas.
Speeding Fines and Penalties
Speeding fines in Maldives vary based on how much you exceed the posted limit. Fines increase sharply for higher violations and may include licence points or driving bans for serious offences.
Traffic Rules and Regulations
Drive on the left side of the road. Overtake on the right. At roundabouts, traffic flows clockwise — give way to vehicles already in the roundabout.
Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants. Children must use appropriate restraint systems based on their age and height.
Using a hand-held phone while driving is prohibited. Hands-free systems are permitted.
Use headlights in poor visibility, tunnels, and at night. Some areas require headlights at all times.
Priority at intersections follows posted signs. When no signs are present, yield to traffic from the right.
Drink-Driving Laws and Alcohol Limits
Maldives enforces a zero-tolerance drink-driving policy. Any detectable alcohol in your blood while driving is illegal. There is no safe amount — even one drink can put you over the limit. Penalties include heavy fines, licence confiscation, and potential imprisonment.
The safest approach is to not drink at all if you will be driving. Alcohol affects reaction time and judgement regardless of the legal limit.
Tyre Requirements and Regulations
Winter tyres are not required in Maldives. Standard tyres are sufficient for normal driving conditions.
The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm.
Studded tyres: restricted.
For detailed tyre law information, see our Tyre Laws in Maldives guide.
Driving License Requirements
Always carry your original driving licence — photocopies are not accepted.
The minimum driving age is 18 years.
Parking and Fuel
Parking in major cities can be limited and expensive. Shopping centres and commercial areas usually have dedicated car parks. Read signs carefully to avoid towing.
Most fuel stations accept major credit and debit cards. In rural areas, keep your tank above half — stations may be far apart.
Seasonal Driving Conditions
Maldives has hot climate with monsoon seasons. Check weather forecasts before long journeys and adjust your driving to conditions. Road surfaces and visibility can change quickly with weather.
Practical Driving Tips for Maldives
- If switching from right-hand traffic, concentrate on turns and roundabouts — these are where most mistakes happen.
- Download offline maps of Maldives before your trip — mobile signal can be unreliable on rural roads.
- Take a break every 2 hours on long drives. Fatigue is a leading cause of road accidents.
- Use our interactive tools on this page — compare rules with your home country and calculate potential fines before you set off.
Speed Limits in Maldives
| Road Type | Cars | Trucks (>3.5t) |
|---|---|---|
| Urban | 50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Motorway | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
Emergency Numbers in Maldives
These numbers are free to call and available 24/7. When calling, state your location and the nature of the emergency.
Tyre Laws in Maldives
Winter tyre requirements, tread depth rules, and studded tyre regulations.
View tyre regulationsAvoid a fine in Maldives
Who pays a driving fine abroad, the hire-car admin-fee trap, and how to appeal.
Read the fine guideDriving in Maldives on a foreign licence
Nationality-specific licence, IDP & rules — pick where your licence is from:
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Recent changes to this page
- Title, description and introduction rewritten from this page's own data (no shared template wording).
- Removed an equipment penalty that was actually the speeding fine copied from another field; countries.json has no equipment-fine value, so no figure is published.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Maldives, the default speed limits for passenger vehicles are: urban areas 50 km/h (31 mph), rural roads 80 km/h (50 mph), and motorways 100 km/h (62 mph). Always follow posted signs as limits may differ on specific roads.
In Maldives, traffic drives on the left side of the road. Vehicles have the steering wheel on the right side. If you are visiting from a country that drives on the right, take extra care at intersections, roundabouts, and when overtaking.
The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in Maldives is 0.0% (0.0mg/ml). Stricter limits often apply to novice drivers and commercial vehicle operators. Penalties for exceeding the limit can include heavy fines, license suspension, and imprisonment.
Foreign visitors to Maldives should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their valid national driving license. An IDP translates your license into multiple languages and is recognized internationally. Check with the embassy of Maldives for the most current requirements.
Winter tyres in Maldives are: Not Required. Regardless of legal requirements, winter tyres or all-season tyres with the appropriate markings (M+S or 3PMSF) are strongly recommended when temperatures drop below 7°C for improved safety and grip.
The general emergency number in Maldives is 112. These numbers are free to call and available 24/7. When calling, be prepared to state your location and the nature of the emergency.
Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is prohibited in Maldives. Hands-free systems (Bluetooth, speakerphone, or mounted devices) are permitted. Penalties for mobile phone use while driving typically include fines. For safety, always use hands-free solutions or pull over to use your phone.
When driving in Maldives, you should always carry: your valid driving license (and IDP if applicable), vehicle registration document, valid insurance certificate (Green Card for European countries), and your passport or national ID. Rental car drivers should also carry the rental agreement. Police may request these documents during routine checks.
The minimum age to drive a car in Maldives is 18 years old. Some categories of vehicles (such as motorcycles or heavy vehicles) may have different age requirements. Novice drivers may face additional restrictions during their first years of driving.
Driving in Maldives is generally safe for tourists who are prepared. Road infrastructure follows Asian standards. Before driving, familiarize yourself with local traffic rules, road signs, and driving customs. Consider downloading offline maps, carrying emergency supplies, and purchasing comprehensive insurance. Avoid driving at night in unfamiliar areas if possible.
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