Driving Differences: Belize vs. Malta Explained
When exploring the roads of Belize and Malta, drivers will encounter notable contrasts in regulations and practices that directly affect road safety. From driving on opposite sides to varying speed limits and unique traffic signals, understanding these distinctions is crucial for a secure journey in either destination. Prepare for a fascinating examination of these two distinct driving environments!
Lanes
| Belize | 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 | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | 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 |
Driving Side
belize:
Right
malta:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
belize:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belize:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
Overtaking: On Left
belize:
Yes
malta:
No
Overtaking: On Right
belize:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
malta:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
belize:
Use rightmost lane.
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
belize:
No
malta:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
belize:
N/A
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belize:
N/A
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
belize:
No
malta:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
belize:
N/A
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
belize:
N/A
malta:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belize:
N/A
malta:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belize:
N/A
malta:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Belize | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-55 mph | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-55 mph | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-55 mph | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-65 mph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 55-65 mph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 55-65 mph | 80 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines are usually collected immediately | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
belize:
25 mph
malta:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belize:
25 mph
malta:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
40-55 mph
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belize:
40-55 mph
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
40-55 mph
malta:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
55-65 mph
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belize:
55-65 mph
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
55-65 mph
malta:
80 km/h
Speed Units
belize:
mph
malta:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belize:
N/A
malta:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
belize:
No
malta:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belize:
Yes, fines are usually collected immediately
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Belize | 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 Belize | 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
belize:
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
belize:
Not used in Belize
malta:
Not used in Malta
Traffic Signs: Language
belize:
English; symbols are standard
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belize:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
Turns
| Belize | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
belize:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
malta:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
belize:
Varies by locality; check for signs
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Belize | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annually; proof may be required | 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
belize:
Mandatory annually; proof may be required
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belize:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belize:
Not mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belize:
Not mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Belize | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
belize:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Belize | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used occasionally | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
belize:
0.08%
malta:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
belize:
0.05%
malta:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
belize:
Zero tolerance
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
belize:
Less common; checkpoints used occasionally
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
belize:
Varies; can be substantial
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Belize | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
belize:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Belize | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 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
belize:
911
malta:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
belize:
911
malta:
112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belize:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belize:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belize:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Belize | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; BZD$100 to $500 | 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 | Fines for non-compliance | Typically around €50, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; significant fines | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, fines are often collected immediately | 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
belize:
Varies; BZD$100 to $500
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
belize:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belize:
Fines for non-compliance
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
belize:
Fines for use without hands-free
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belize:
Varies; significant fines
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
belize:
Yes, fines are often collected immediately
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
belize:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay