Driving in Cyprus vs. Malta: Key Safety Differences
Driving in Cyprus and Malta presents distinct contrasts that are crucial for ensuring road safety while traveling. From lane markings to speed limits, both countries enforce unique regulations. Notably, Cyprus permits overtaking on the left, while Malta allows it on the right, making awareness of these variations essential for a secure journey.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | Marks the left edge on some divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic | Often used to indicate parking restrictions. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Usually reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. | 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 sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
Overtaking: On Left
cyprus:
Yes
malta:
No
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
malta:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
malta:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Exclusive for bicycles.
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
malta:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cyprus:
N/A
malta:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
malta:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
malta:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cyprus:
Yes
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Cyprus | 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 Cyprus | Not used in Malta |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; 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
cyprus:
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
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
malta:
Not used in Malta
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
malta:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
Turns
| Cyprus | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Cyprus | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits without additional permits | 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 | Yes, periodic 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 | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cyprus:
Accepted for short visits without additional permits
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malta:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial |
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
cyprus:
Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately
malta:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
cyprus:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 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: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
malta:
112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | 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 | Strict enforcement | Typically around €50, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
cyprus:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay