Driving in Algeria vs. Malta: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Algeria and Malta, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence overall safety. Key differences include the driving side—right in Algeria and left in Malta—as well as varying speed limits and traffic signal protocols. Understanding these contrasts is essential for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Algeria | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on some divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Often used to indicate parking restrictions. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except on one-way roads. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
algeria:
Right
malta:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
algeria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
algeria:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
Overtaking: On Left
algeria:
Yes
malta:
No
Overtaking: On Right
algeria:
Prohibited except on one-way roads.
malta:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
algeria:
Use rightmost lane.
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
malta:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
malta:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
malta:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
algeria:
Not applicable
malta:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
malta:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Algeria | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
100 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
algeria:
90 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
120 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
algeria:
100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
90 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
malta:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
algeria:
Yes
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Algeria | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not typically used | Not used in Malta |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | English and Maltese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Usually triangular with red borders | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
algeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
malta:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
algeria:
Not typically used
malta:
Not used in Malta
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
algeria:
Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
malta:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
algeria:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
algeria:
Usually triangular with red borders
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
Turns
| Algeria | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
algeria:
Usually not allowed unless indicated
malta:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
algeria:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Algeria | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
algeria:
Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
algeria:
Displayed on windshield
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
algeria:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Algeria | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
algeria:
More frequent use than in some countries
malta:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
algeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks
malta:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
algeria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Algeria | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Checkpoints used especially on holidays | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
algeria:
0.02%
malta:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
algeria:
0.00%
malta:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
algeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
algeria:
Checkpoints used especially on holidays
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
algeria:
Varies; can be substantial
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Algeria | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
algeria:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Algeria | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 1548 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 | 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or auto club | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
algeria:
1548
malta:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
algeria:
17
malta:
112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
algeria:
Contact insurance provider or auto club
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
algeria:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Algeria | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Heavy fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Typically around €50, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed, may include points on license | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; also through post or bank | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid promptly | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
algeria:
Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
algeria:
Heavy fines, possible jail time
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
algeria:
Fines imposed, may include points on license
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
algeria:
Possible; also through post or bank
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
algeria:
Varies; typically must be paid promptly
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay