Driving in Fiji vs. Malta: Key Differences Explained
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Fiji and Malta. From lane markings to speed limits, these nations exhibit distinct approaches to vehicular norms. Notably, Malta features designated bus and cycle lanes, while Fiji emphasizes overtaking rules. Understanding these variations is vital for ensuring safe travels in both countries.
Lanes
| Fiji | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. | Marks the left edge on some divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted. | 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
Bus Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
malta:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
malta:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
malta:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Fiji | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 kph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 kph | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 kph | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 kph | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 kph | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 kph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 kph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 kph | 80 km/h |
| Speed Units | kph | km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
fiji:
50 kph
malta:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
fiji:
30 kph
malta:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
80 kph
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
fiji:
70 kph
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
60 kph
malta:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
100 kph
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
fiji:
90 kph
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
80 kph
malta:
80 km/h
Speed Units
fiji:
kph
malta:
km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Fiji | 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 Fiji | Not used in Malta |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| 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
fiji:
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
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
malta:
Not used in Malta
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
malta:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
fiji:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
Turns
| Fiji | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed only where indicated by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
fiji:
Not allowed.
malta:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Fiji | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
fiji:
Not mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Fiji | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
malta:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Fiji | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, potential loss of license | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
fiji:
0.08%
malta:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
fiji:
0.05%
malta:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Fiji | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
fiji:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Fiji | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones | 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | 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: General Emergency
fiji:
911
malta:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
malta:
112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Fiji | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500 | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines can apply | Typically around €50, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply; obey signals | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay