Ecuador vs Malta: Driving Differences You Need to Know
When navigating the roads of Ecuador and Malta, drivers will encounter notable distinctions that can impact their travel experience. From contrasting driving sides—right in Ecuador and left in Malta—to variations in speed limits and lane usage, understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey. Equip yourself with vital knowledge to drive confidently in both countries.
Lanes
| Ecuador | 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: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motor vehicles in some areas. | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. |
Driving Side
ecuador:
Right
malta:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ecuador:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ecuador:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
Overtaking: On Left
ecuador:
Yes
malta:
No
Overtaking: On Right
ecuador:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
malta:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ecuador:
Use rightmost lane.
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ecuador:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ecuador:
Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas.
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ecuador:
Limited
malta:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ecuador:
Shared with motor vehicles in some areas.
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
Speeds Limits
| Ecuador | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; often applied for traffic violations. | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ecuador:
30 km/h
malta:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ecuador:
90 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ecuador:
90 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ecuador:
100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ecuador:
90 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ecuador:
90 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ecuador:
Yes; often applied for traffic violations.
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Ecuador | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ecuador | Not used in Malta |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard. | English and Maltese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with white background | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ecuador:
Not used in Ecuador
malta:
Not used in Malta
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ecuador:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
malta:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
ecuador:
N/A
malta:
Fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
ecuador:
Spanish; symbols are standard.
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ecuador:
Triangle-shaped with white background
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
Turns
| Ecuador | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal. | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
ecuador:
Prohibited unless a sign permits.
malta:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
ecuador:
Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal.
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Ecuador | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection is mandatory | 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
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ecuador:
Annual inspection is mandatory
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ecuador:
Displayed on the windshield.
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ecuador:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ecuador:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Ecuador | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply. | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized. | Discouraged and may be penalized |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations. | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in urban areas. | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
ecuador:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
malta:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
ecuador:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
malta:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
ecuador:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
malta:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
ecuador:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
malta:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
ecuador:
Only in emergency situations.
malta:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ecuador:
Frequent use in urban areas.
malta:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
ecuador:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
malta:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ecuador:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
ecuador:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
malta:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Ecuador | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability. | Check if medication affects driving ability |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police frequently set up checkpoints. | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; significant fines imposed. | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses. | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension. | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
ecuador:
0.03%
malta:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ecuador:
0.00%
malta:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ecuador:
0.00%
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
ecuador:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
malta:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
ecuador:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
malta:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
ecuador:
Common; police frequently set up checkpoints.
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
ecuador:
Varies; significant fines imposed.
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
ecuador:
Possible for severe offenses.
malta:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
ecuador:
Can result in license suspension.
malta:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Ecuador | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit. | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight. | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Priority: Entering
ecuador:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
malta:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
ecuador:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
malta:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
ecuador:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
malta:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
ecuador:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
ecuador:
Use for first exit or straight.
malta:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
ecuador:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
malta:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Ecuador | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 or 112 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Use general emergency numbers. | 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available through insurance companies or auto clubs. | 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
ecuador:
911 or 112
malta:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ecuador:
Use general emergency numbers.
malta:
112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ecuador:
Available through insurance companies or auto clubs.
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ecuador:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ecuador:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Ecuador | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial based on speed. | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines and possible imprisonment. | Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts. | Typically around €50, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; varies by infraction. | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Hefty fines for violations. | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; often required. | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties. | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid. | Same as residents; must be paid |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid. | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
ecuador:
Varies; can be substantial based on speed.
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
ecuador:
Severe fines and possible imprisonment.
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ecuador:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts.
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
ecuador:
Fines apply; varies by infraction.
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ecuador:
Hefty fines for violations.
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ecuador:
Yes; often required.
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
ecuador:
Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties.
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
ecuador:
Same as residents; must be paid.
malta:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
ecuador:
Possible if fines are not paid.
malta:
Possible if fines are not paid