Driving Differences: France vs. Malta Explained
When navigating the roads of France and Malta, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that significantly influence their travel experience. Key contrasts include the driving side—right in France and left in Malta—along with varying speed limits and road etiquette. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in both countries.
Lanes
France | Malta | |
---|---|---|
Driving Side | Right | Left |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Marks the left edge on some divided roads. |
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Often used to indicate parking restrictions. |
Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | Yes |
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. |
Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. |
Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
france:
Right
malta:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
Overtaking: On Left
france:
Yes
malta:
No
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
malta:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
france:
Use rightmost lane.
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
france:
Exclusive for bicycles.
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
france:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
malta:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
malta:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
malta:
N/A
Speeds Limits
France | 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 |
Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
france:
30 km/h
malta:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
france:
80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
france:
80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
130 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
france:
100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
france:
90 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
malta:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
malta:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
France | 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 France | Not used in Malta |
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
Traffic Signs: Language | French; symbols are standard | English and Maltese; symbols are standard |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
france:
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
france:
Not used in France
malta:
Not used in Malta
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
malta:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
malta:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
Turns
France | Malta | |
---|---|---|
U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
France | Malta | |
---|---|---|
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | 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, an MOT style test is required periodically | Annual vehicle inspection required |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield. |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Recommended |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
france:
Displayed on windshield
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
malta:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
malta:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
France | Malta | |
---|---|---|
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
malta:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
France | Malta | |
---|---|---|
Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial |
Limits: Underage Drivers
france:
0.00%
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
Roundabouts
France | Malta | |
---|---|---|
Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
malta:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
france:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
France | Malta | |
---|---|---|
Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | 112 for emergencies |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance 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: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
malta:
112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
France | Malta | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license |
Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | Typically around €50, points may apply |
Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | Typically around €100, points on license |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | Typically around €100, points on license |
Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay