Maldives Driving Theory Test cheat sheet

Red circles give orders (prohibitions and restrictions); blue circles give mandatory instructions; yellow/amber diamonds warn of hazards ahead.

A red octagon means STOP: a full halt at the line is required even when the road appears clear.

An inverted red-and-white triangle means GIVE WAY: slow or stop and yield to traffic on the priority road.

Solid white centre line: no crossing or overtaking. Broken white centre line: crossing permitted when safe and the road ahead is clear.

Double solid lines on your side of the centre mean no overtaking; a broken line on your side permits overtaking when safe.

A red diagonal cross over a lane (X signal) means that lane is closed; a green arrow means the lane is open.

Yellow box junction: do not enter unless your exit is clear, except when turning right and blocked only by oncoming traffic.

Zebra crossings: pedestrians on the crossing have absolute priority; no parking or overtaking within the marked approach zone.

At an uncontrolled junction, give way to traffic already on the junction and to vehicles approaching from your right where local practice applies.

A vehicle turning across oncoming traffic must yield to vehicles going straight ahead.

At a roundabout, traffic already circulating has priority; enter only when a safe gap exists.

Emergency vehicles with sirens or flashing lights have priority: pull over, slow down, and do not follow closely behind them.

Overtake on the right by default; overtaking on the left is only permitted in slow-moving queues or when the vehicle ahead is signalling to turn right.

Do not overtake at pedestrian crossings, junctions, blind bends, hill crests, or where a solid line restricts it.

Reversing vehicles must give way to all other traffic and pedestrians; reversing on main roads is prohibited where it creates danger.

Pedestrians on a marked crossing have right-of-way; drivers must stop and remain stopped until they have cleared the road.

The two-second rule gives minimum dry-weather following distance; double it to four seconds in rain or poor visibility.

Scan 12-15 seconds ahead of the vehicle to identify hazards before they become emergencies.

A safe gap at junctions: if you cannot complete the manoeuvre without forcing others to brake, do not proceed.

Alcohol slows reaction time and narrows attention; any alcohol before driving reduces fitness to drive.

Fatigue signs (yawning, drifting, heavy eyelids) require stopping in a safe place to rest; opening a window is not a cure.

In rain, braking distances increase and aquaplaning risk rises above roughly 50 km/h on standing water; reduce speed and avoid sudden steering.

Use the mirrors-signal-manoeuvre sequence and check blind spots before changing lanes or direction.

At night, dip headlights when following or meeting other vehicles to avoid dazzle; look toward the left edge of the road when dazzled.

Urban and built-up areas in the Maldives generally carry a 25-30 km/h limit; signed limits on a road override the default.

Rural and open road limits are typically 40-50 km/h unless signs state otherwise; motorway-style limits do not apply on most local roads.

Speed limits are maximums for ideal conditions; in rain, darkness, or congestion, drive below the posted limit.

Stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance; thinking distance grows linearly with speed, braking distance grows with the square of speed.

Doubling speed roughly quadruples braking distance, so a 40 km/h stop needs about four times the distance of a 20 km/h stop.

Two-second rule: pick a fixed object; you should reach it no sooner than two seconds after the vehicle ahead passes it.

In wet conditions, at least double the following gap and reduce speed by roughly a third on wet roads.

Speed limits apply to motorcycles and scooters equally; posted limits are not advisory.

Clutch pedal: left foot; brake and accelerator: right foot; on automatic vehicles use the left foot only for the brake if at all.

Pre-drive checks: tyres (pressure and tread), lights, mirrors, seat position, fuel, and fluid levels.

Headlights: use dipped beam at night and in rain; use full beam only when no other vehicle is ahead or approaching.

Hazard warning lights indicate a stationary hazard or breakdown; they are not a parking permit.

Tyre tread depth minimum is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre; worn tyres increase stopping distance and aquaplaning risk.

Brake fluid and engine oil levels should be checked regularly; low brake fluid can mean a leak or worn pads.

Dashboard warning lights: red means stop and investigate; amber means caution and check soon; green/blue are informational.

Handbrake (parking brake) must be applied when parked; on slopes, turn wheels toward the kerb and engage a low gear.

A valid driving licence for the correct vehicle class must be carried while driving; driving without one is an offence.

Learner drivers must display L plates and be accompanied by a qualified licensed driver as required by regulation.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited; penalties include fines, licence suspension, and possible imprisonment.

Seat belts must be worn by the driver and all passengers where fitted; children should use appropriate restraints.

Helmets are mandatory for motorcycle and scooter riders and pillion passengers.

Third-party insurance is required for motor vehicles used on public roads.

Vehicle registration and roadworthiness must be current; driving an unregistered or uninsured vehicle is an offence.

Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is prohibited; use hands-free only when it does not distract.

A helmet must be correctly fastened and fit snugly; a loose or unfastened helmet offers little protection.

Before riding, check tyre pressure, brakes, lights, horn, mirrors, and chain/belt tension.

Ride with the headlight on to increase visibility to other road users.

Keep both hands on the handlebars and both feet on the footpegs while moving.

Braking: apply both brakes together, with more pressure on the front brake for effective stopping; avoid locking the front wheel.

Maintain a larger following distance than a car because motorcycle stopping distances can be longer on wet or sandy roads.

Avoid riding in the driver's blind spot; position yourself where you can be seen in mirrors and by the driver's peripheral vision.

Pillion passengers must be licensed, wear a helmet, and sit astride facing forward with feet on the pegs.

At an accident scene: stop, switch on hazard lights, and secure the scene before assisting.

Call emergency services and report the location, number of casualties, and hazards.

Do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger (fire, traffic); suspected spinal injury requires immobilisation.

DRABC: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation - assess in that order before giving aid.

Control severe bleeding with direct pressure using a clean cloth; do not remove an embedded object.

If a casualty is not breathing, start CPR at roughly 100-120 compressions per minute and call for help.

Exchange details (name, address, insurance, registration) with other parties after a collision; report to police where required.

Place warning triangles or hazard lights well behind the vehicle to warn approaching traffic.

Indicate at least three seconds before turning or changing lanes, and cancel the indicator after completing the manoeuvre.

At traffic lights: red = stop behind the line; amber = stop unless it is unsafe to do so; green = proceed only if the way is clear.

A flashing amber at a pelican-style crossing means give way to pedestrians on the crossing.

A police officer's signals override traffic lights and road signs.

Broken white lines mark lane boundaries where lane changes are permitted; solid white lines prohibit lane changes.

Stop lines are solid white lines at junctions and signals; you must stop before the line on red.

Direction arrows painted on the road indicate the permitted direction for that lane; do not change lanes across solid lines.

A flashing red light at a level crossing means stop; do not proceed until the signal is clear.

Hazard perception is the ability to spot developing risks early and plan a response before braking is needed.

The most common urban hazards are pedestrians stepping out, vehicles emerging from side roads, and parked cars hiding pedestrians.

In wet conditions, increase following distance and reduce speed; braking distances can double.

At night, use dipped headlights and reduce speed so you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear.

When approaching a hazard, ease off the accelerator and cover the brake before committing to a stop.

Do not overtake when a hazard is developing ahead; wait until the road is clear and the manoeuvre is safe.

In heavy rain, avoid sudden braking and steering; aquaplaning reduces steering and braking control.

If you feel drowsy while driving, stop in a safe place and rest; fresh air and music are not substitutes for sleep.

Speed limits are maximums for ideal conditions; reduce speed in rain, darkness, or heavy traffic.

Two-second rule: minimum following gap in dry conditions; four seconds in wet conditions.

Stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance; thinking distance grows with speed and reaction time.

Braking distance increases with the square of speed: doubling speed roughly quadruples braking distance.

At 30 km/h, typical stopping distance is about 10-13 metres; at 50 km/h it is about 25-30 metres.

In wet weather, braking distances can double; increase the following gap accordingly.

Speed limits apply to all vehicles including motorcycles and scooters.

Posted speed limits override default limits; drive below the limit when conditions require.

Pre-drive checks: tyres, lights, mirrors, seat position, fuel, and fluid levels.

Headlights: dipped beam at night and in rain; full beam only when no other vehicle is ahead or approaching.

Hazard warning lights indicate a stationary hazard or breakdown; not a parking permit.

Tyre tread depth minimum is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre.

Brake fluid and engine oil should be checked regularly; low brake fluid can indicate a leak or worn pads.

Dashboard warning lights: red means stop and investigate; amber means caution and check soon.

Handbrake must be applied when parked; on slopes, turn wheels toward the kerb and engage a low gear.

Use the mirrors-signal-manoeuvre sequence before changing lanes or direction.

A valid driving licence for the correct vehicle class must be carried while driving.

Learner drivers must display L plates and be accompanied by a qualified licensed driver.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited; penalties include fines, licence suspension, and possible imprisonment.

Seat belts must be worn by the driver and all passengers where fitted.

Helmets are mandatory for motorcycle and scooter riders and pillion passengers.

Third-party insurance is required for motor vehicles used on public roads.

Vehicle registration and roadworthiness must be current; driving an unregistered or uninsured vehicle is an offence.

Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is prohibited.

A helmet must be correctly fastened and fit snugly for effective protection.

Before riding, check tyre pressure, brakes, lights, horn, mirrors, and chain/belt tension.

Ride with the headlight on to increase visibility to other road users.

Keep both hands on the handlebars and both feet on the footpegs while moving.

Apply both brakes together, with more pressure on the front brake for effective stopping.

Maintain a larger following distance than a car because motorcycle stopping distances can be longer on wet or sandy roads.

Avoid riding in the driver's blind spot; position where you can be seen.

Pillion passengers must wear a helmet and sit astride facing forward with feet on the pegs.

At an accident scene: stop, switch on hazard lights, and secure the scene before assisting.

Call emergency services and report the location, number of casualties, and hazards.

Do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger; suspected spinal injury requires immobilisation.

DRABC: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation - assess in that order.

Control severe bleeding with direct pressure using a clean cloth; do not remove an embedded object.

If a casualty is not breathing, start CPR at roughly 100-120 compressions per minute and call for help.

Exchange details (name, address, insurance, registration) with other parties after a collision.

Place warning triangles or hazard lights well behind the vehicle to warn approaching traffic.

At an uncontrolled junction, give way to traffic already on the junction and to vehicles approaching from your right where local practice applies.

A vehicle turning across oncoming traffic must yield to vehicles going straight ahead.

At a roundabout, traffic already circulating has priority; enter only when a safe gap exists.

Emergency vehicles with sirens or flashing lights have priority: pull over, slow down, and do not follow closely.

Overtake on the right by default; overtaking on the left is only permitted in slow-moving queues or when the vehicle ahead is signalling to turn right.

Do not overtake at pedestrian crossings, junctions, blind bends, hill crests, or where a solid line restricts it.

Reversing vehicles must give way to all other traffic and pedestrians.

Pedestrians on a marked crossing have right-of-way; drivers must stop and remain stopped until they have cleared.

Red circles give orders (prohibitions and restrictions); blue circles give mandatory instructions; yellow/amber diamonds warn of hazards.

A red octagon means STOP: a full halt at the line is required even when the road appears clear.

An inverted red-and-white triangle means GIVE WAY: slow or stop and yield to traffic on the priority road.

Solid white centre line: no crossing or overtaking. Broken white centre line: crossing permitted when safe.

Double solid lines on your side of the centre mean no overtaking; a broken line on your side permits overtaking when safe.

A red diagonal cross (X signal) means that lane is closed; a green arrow means the lane is open.

Yellow box junction: do not enter unless your exit is clear, except when turning right and blocked only by oncoming traffic.

Zebra crossings: pedestrians on the crossing have absolute priority; no parking or overtaking within the marked approach zone.