Foreign Drivers in the Maldives Now Required to Pass Local Driving Test
Vehicles on the streets of Male’ city | Photo: MV+
The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has announced that foreign nationals holding overseas driving licences will now be required to pass a driving test before being permitted to drive in the Maldives.
Speaking at a press conference held at the President’s Office, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen stated that the new policy marks a departure from the previous regulations, which allowed foreign licence holders to drive under a more lenient framework. Under the former system, local licences were issued to foreign drivers without requiring an assessment, sometimes for periods exceeding the validity of their original foreign licences.
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According to the Ministry, the revised policy will limit the validity of Maldivian driving permits issued to foreign nationals to the same duration as their foreign licences. In addition, the new regulation requires foreign applicants to undergo the same driving assessments as Maldivian citizens before being granted a local licence.
The Minister highlighted the challenges of driving in Malé, particularly the need to navigate narrow streets, and noted that driving practices from abroad may not be suitable for local conditions. The government has therefore deemed it necessary to apply a uniform testing process for all applicants, regardless of nationality.
Previously, foreign nationals from over 20 countries recognised by the Ministry were exempt from driving assessments, and were eligible for permanent local licences based solely on their valid foreign credentials. This exemption will no longer apply under the updated policy.
