Driving in Bhutan vs Malta: Key Safety Differences
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. This comparison between Bhutan and Malta uncovers significant contrasts, from speed limits and traffic signals to the presence of dedicated lanes for buses and cyclists. Explore these vital distinctions to drive safely and confidently in each country.
Lanes
| Bhutan | 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. |
| 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bhutan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
malta:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
malta:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
malta:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
malta:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
malta:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
malta:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
malta:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
malta:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
malta:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Bhutan | 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 Bhutan | 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
bhutan:
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
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
malta:
Not used in Malta
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
Turns
| Bhutan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Bhutan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
malta:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
malta:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
malta:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bhutan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bhutan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
malta:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
malta:
112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | Typically around €50, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay