Driving in Bahrain vs. Malta: Key Safety Differences
When it comes to navigating the roads of Bahrain and Malta, understanding the distinctions in traffic regulations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. From driving on different sides of the road to varying speed limits and penalties for violations, this comparison highlights essential variations that can impact your driving experience abroad. Stay informed for a safer trip!
Lanes
| Bahrain | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Marks the left edge on some divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. | Often used to indicate parking restrictions. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Yes |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | N/A |
Driving Side
bahrain:
Right
malta:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
Overtaking: On Left
bahrain:
Yes
malta:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
malta:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
malta:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahrain:
Use rightmost lane.
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
malta:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
malta:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
malta:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Bahrain | 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 in Bahrain | Not used in Malta |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Used as a signal of road rage or aggression | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and English; symbols are standard | English and Maltese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bahrain:
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
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
malta:
Not used in Malta
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
malta:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
malta:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
malta:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
malta:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bahrain:
Used as a signal of road rage or aggression
malta:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
Turns
| Bahrain | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
malta:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| 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
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
malta:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during nighttime | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
malta:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
malta:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
malta:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
malta:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Bahrain | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahrain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
malta:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
malta:
112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Typically around €50, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay