Driving in the Bahamas vs. Malta: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the vibrant roads of the Bahamas and Malta, understanding their unique traffic regulations is essential for a safe journey. Notable distinctions include overtaking rules—where the Bahamas allows left-side maneuvers while Malta permits right-side passing. Additionally, speed limits and alcohol tolerance vary significantly, emphasizing the importance of being well-informed before hitting the road in either destination.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Not allowed. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahamas:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahamas:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
Overtaking: On Left
bahamas:
Yes
malta:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
malta:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
malta:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
malta:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
malta:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahamas:
N/A
malta:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
malta:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 80 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
malta:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
malta:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
malta:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
malta:
80 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
malta:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
malta:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Bahamas | 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 used | Not used in Malta |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | English and Maltese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bahamas:
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
bahamas:
Not used
malta:
Not used in Malta
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahamas:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
Turns
| Bahamas | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
malta:
Not allowed
Documentation
| Bahamas | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bahamas:
0.08%
malta:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
malta:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahamas:
0.00%; zero tolerance
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
bahamas:
Varies; can be substantial
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
malta:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
malta:
112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahamas:
Check with your insurance provider
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | Typically around €50, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahamas:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
bahamas:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay