Driving in Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Malta: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Bosnia and Herzegovina versus Malta, drivers encounter notable variations in regulations and practices. From the contrasting driving sides to speed limits and penalties, understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring safety and compliance while overseas. Discover the key disparities that can affect your journey in these two unique countries.
Lanes
| Bosnia and herzegovina | 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 in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
Driving Side
bosnia and herzegovina:
Right
malta:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bosnia and herzegovina:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bosnia and herzegovina:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
Overtaking: On Left
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes
malta:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
malta:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bosnia and herzegovina:
Use rightmost lane.
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
Exclusive for bicycles.
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement.
malta:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, frequently used | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bosnia and herzegovina:
30 km/h
malta:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bosnia and herzegovina:
130 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bosnia and herzegovina:
100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bosnia and herzegovina:
90 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, frequently used
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Bosnia and herzegovina | 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 |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unreasonable use prohibited | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard | English and Maltese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bosnia and herzegovina:
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
bosnia and herzegovina:
Not used
malta:
Not used in Malta
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bosnia and herzegovina:
Unreasonable use prohibited
malta:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Headlight Flash: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
To warn other drivers of your presence
malta:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Traffic Signs: Language
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bosnia and herzegovina:
Triangle-shaped with red border
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
Turns
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by a sign | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
malta:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed when not prohibited by a sign
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on 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
bosnia and herzegovina:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bosnia and herzegovina:
International Driving Permit recommended
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory annual inspection
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bosnia and herzegovina:
Displayed on windshield
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bosnia and herzegovina | 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
bosnia and herzegovina:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines possible | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.03%
malta:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.00%
malta:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.00%; zero tolerance
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bosnia and herzegovina:
Common
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Substantial fines possible
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bosnia and herzegovina:
Can result in license suspension and fines
malta:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bosnia and herzegovina:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Usually provided by insurance | 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: Traffic Police
bosnia and herzegovina:
122
malta:
112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually provided by insurance
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | 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 apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; fines can be significant
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines applicable
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, often required
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay