Driving in Hungary vs. Malta: Key Differences Explained
When it comes to navigating the roads of Hungary and Malta, drivers must be aware of notable contrasts that impact their journeys. From lane usage to speed limits, these countries exhibit distinct rules and practices. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience behind the wheel.
Lanes
| Hungary | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. | 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 | Not allowed except in special cases. | Yes |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. | 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 colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Rare | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs. | N/A |
Driving Side
hungary:
Right
malta:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
hungary:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
Overtaking: On Left
hungary:
Yes
malta:
No
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
malta:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
malta:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
hungary:
Use rightmost lane.
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Exclusive for bicycles.
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
malta:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hungary:
N/A
malta:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
malta:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
malta:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; issued by traffic police | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hungary:
20-30 km/h
malta:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
90 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
70-80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Yes
malta:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
malta:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Hungary | 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 | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Not used in Malta |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hungarian; symbols are standard | English and Maltese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
hungary:
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
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
malta:
Not used in Malta
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
malta:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
Turns
| Hungary | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
hungary:
Not allowed.
malta:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Hungary | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed | 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 | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the license plate or windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
malta:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
malta:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Limited use | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
hungary:
Limited use
malta:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
malta:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hungary | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
malta:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
malta:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Hungary | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
hungary:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Hungary | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or specific insurance hotline | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
malta:
112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance | Typically around €50, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay