Driving in Japan vs. Malta: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Japan and Malta, it's essential to understand the nuances that affect your travel experience. From unique lane markings and speed limits to traffic regulations and alcohol limits, each country presents distinct road customs. This comparison reveals vital distinctions that ensure a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Japan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | 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 Right | Yes, overtaking is done on the right. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours. | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
japan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
Overtaking: On Right
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
malta:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
malta:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
japan:
N/A
malta:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
malta:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
malta:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Japan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
japan:
40-50 km/h
malta:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
japan:
30 km/h
malta:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
60 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
japan:
60 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
60 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
80-100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
japan:
80-100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
malta:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
malta:
N/A
Signals
| Japan | 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 Japan | Not used in Malta |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Japanese with some bilingual signs; 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
japan:
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
japan:
Not used in Japan
malta:
Not used in Malta
Traffic Signs: Language
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
japan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
Turns
| Japan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Japan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required along with national license | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required along with national license | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on license plate or windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
japan:
Displayed on license plate
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
japan:
Not mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Japan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Generally used sparingly | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Flashing Lights: Usage
japan:
To warn of hazards
malta:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
japan:
Generally used sparingly
malta:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Japan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Prohibited; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints may be set up | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
japan:
0.03%
malta:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
japan:
0.00%
malta:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Japan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
japan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Japan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or JAF | 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
japan:
119
malta:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
japan:
110
malta:
112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
japan:
Recommended
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Japan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, points on license | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines; enforceable | Typically around €50, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Severe fines, points on license | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines, points on license | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid later | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
japan:
Fines; enforceable
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
japan:
Fines, points on license
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay