Zero Alcohol, Left-Hand Traffic — Maldives in 2026

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. We found no national speed table, so follow the posted signs, and a driver must be at least 18 to hold a licence.

We could not find a published national speed table for the Maldives in an official source; the WHO road safety report says limits are set by vehicle type, with higher speeds only in designated areas, so follow the posted signs. The blood alcohol limit is zero. You must be at least 18 to drive.

Emergency Numbers in Maldives

Police: 119 | Ambulance: 102 | Fire: 118

Save these numbers before you start driving. In Maldives, emergency calls are free from any phone.

Speed Limits in Maldives

We could not find a published national speed table for the Maldives in an official source; the WHO road safety report says limits are set by vehicle type, with higher speeds only in designated areas, so follow the posted signs.

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.