Bolivia vs Malta: A Driving Safety Comparison
When comparing the roads of Bolivia and Malta, distinct variations in driving rules and safety protocols emerge. Notably, Bolivia drives on the right, while Malta adheres to a left-side tradition. Speed limits, lane usage, and enforcement methods also diverge, ensuring travelers remain informed and secure while navigating these unique terrains.
Lanes
| Bolivia | 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: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bolivia:
Right
malta:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bolivia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bolivia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
Overtaking: On Left
bolivia:
Yes
malta:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bolivia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
malta:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bolivia:
Use rightmost lane.
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
malta:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
malta:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bolivia:
N/A
malta:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
malta:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No, not commonly used | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued immediately | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
malta:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bolivia:
30 km/h
malta:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
malta:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
malta:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Bolivia | 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 Bolivia | Not used in Malta |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish | English and Maltese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bolivia:
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
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
malta:
Not used in Malta
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
malta:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
malta:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
Turns
| Bolivia | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
malta:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Bolivia | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | 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 inspection required | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bolivia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
malta:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bolivia:
0.00%
malta:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bolivia | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bolivia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bolivia:
911
malta:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
malta:
112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in 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 | Fines apply | Typically around €50, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bolivia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay