Driving in Ireland vs Malta: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Ireland and Malta, travelers must be aware of notable distinctions in regulations and practices. Key variations include speed limits, lane usage, and traffic signaling. Understanding these contrasts ensures a safer and more enjoyable driving experience as you explore these vibrant destinations.
Lanes
| Ireland | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. | Marks the left edge on some divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Often used to indicate parking restrictions. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No, overtake on the right. | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, standard overtaking side. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
Overtaking: On Left
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
malta:
No
Overtaking: On Right
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
malta:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
ireland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ireland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
malta:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ireland:
N/A
malta:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
malta:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Ireland | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ireland:
30 km/h
malta:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
80-100 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ireland:
80-100 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
80-90 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
120 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ireland:
100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
90 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
malta:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Ireland | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to turn green. | Not used in Malta |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | English and Maltese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with red borders | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
malta:
Not used in Malta
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
malta:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
malta:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
Turns
| Ireland | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Ireland | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
malta:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malta:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Ireland | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Random breath testing is common. | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial |
Limits: Underage Drivers
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Ireland | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
ireland:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Ireland | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 or 999 | 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
ireland:
112 or 999
malta:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ireland:
112 or 999
malta:
112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Ireland | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license | 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 | €60 fine and two penalty points | Typically around €50, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €60 fine and three penalty points | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €80 and three penalty points | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
ireland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
ireland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay