Driving in Jamaica vs. Malta: Key Safety Differences
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and driving practices between Jamaica and Malta. While both nations prioritize safety, significant variations exist, from speed limits to lane usage and traffic signals. Understanding these distinctions is essential for a secure and enjoyable journey abroad. Explore the nuances that ensure safe travels in these unique locales.
Lanes
| Jamaica | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the center of the road on two-way streets. | Marks the left edge on some divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution. | Often used to indicate parking restrictions. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear | Yes |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Bridge crossings | Railroad crossings |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Marked with signs indicating bus lane | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Occasional with bicycle symbols | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
Overtaking: On Right
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
malta:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
malta:
Railroad crossings
Bus Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
malta:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
malta:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
malta:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
jamaica:
Not applicable
malta:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
malta:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Jamaica | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| 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 |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits via signs | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common for immediate traffic violations | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
malta:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
jamaica:
30 km/h
malta:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
jamaica:
80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
jamaica:
80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
jamaica:
100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
jamaica:
100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
malta:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Jamaica | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Jamaica | Not used in Malta |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Typically allowed in situations to avert danger | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged near hospitals and schools | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Rarely enforced | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To signal intentions, often a warning | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not widely restricted | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, especially if indicator lights fail | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | English and Maltese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Often triangular with red borders | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
malta:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
malta:
Not used in Malta
Horn Usage: Allowed
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
malta:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
malta:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
malta:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
malta:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
malta:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
malta:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
malta:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
jamaica:
English; symbols are standard
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
Turns
| Jamaica | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless signs prohibit it | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
jamaica:
Prohibited
malta:
Not allowed
Left Turn: General
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
malta:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
malta:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Jamaica | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not consistently used | Displayed on license plate or windshield. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
jamaica:
Not consistently used
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
Road Etiquette
| Jamaica | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To signal intentions or warnings | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Informally regulated | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged | Discouraged and may be penalized |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Encouraged only to avert danger | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use; more common than in some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if safe | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Sirens and flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
jamaica:
To signal intentions or warnings
malta:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
jamaica:
Informally regulated
malta:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
jamaica:
Common practice
malta:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
jamaica:
Discouraged
malta:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
malta:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
malta:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
malta:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
malta:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Jamaica | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check for impairment warnings | Check if medication affects driving ability |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasionally conducted | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies with severity and past offenses | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe breaches | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
jamaica:
0.08%
malta:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
jamaica:
0.03%
malta:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
malta:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
malta:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
malta:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
malta:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Jamaica | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout |
| Priority: Inside | Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if taking an immediate exit | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for immediate or second exit | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for other exits | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Priority: Entering
jamaica:
Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority
malta:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
malta:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
malta:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Lane Usage: Right
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
malta:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
jamaica:
Use for other exits
malta:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Jamaica | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 or 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 119 | 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Depends on provider; often through insurance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
jamaica:
119 or 110
malta:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
jamaica:
119
malta:
112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jamaica:
Recommended
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Jamaica | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment | 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 | Subject to fines and points | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor fines | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Must be paid promptly to avoid complications | Same as residents; must be paid |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible for unresolved fines | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
jamaica:
Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
malta:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines
malta:
Possible if fines are not paid