Driving Safely: Jordan vs. Malta Road Rules
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Jordan and Malta, essential for ensuring secure travels. Key distinctions include driving sides—right in Jordan and left in Malta—and varying speed limits and lane usage. Understanding these unique aspects enhances your driving experience and promotes safety while navigating foreign territories.
Lanes
| Jordan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the roadway. | 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 | Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No specific bus lanes | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses share lanes with other vehicles. | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited; primarily in urban areas. | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicular traffic. | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Cycle symbols where applicable. | N/A |
Driving Side
jordan:
Right
malta:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
jordan:
Marks the edge of the roadway.
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
jordan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
Overtaking: On Left
jordan:
Yes
malta:
No
Overtaking: On Right
jordan:
Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads.
malta:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
jordan:
Use rightmost lane.
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
jordan:
No specific bus lanes
malta:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
jordan:
Buses share lanes with other vehicles.
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
jordan:
N/A
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
jordan:
Limited; primarily in urban areas.
malta:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
jordan:
Shared with vehicular traffic.
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
jordan:
Cycle symbols where applicable.
malta:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Jordan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; common. | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
jordan:
50-60 km/h
malta:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
jordan:
40 km/h
malta:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
jordan:
80-100 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
jordan:
70-90 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
jordan:
70-90 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
jordan:
100-120 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
jordan:
80-100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
jordan:
80-100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
jordan:
Yes; common.
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Jordan | 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 typically used | Not used in Malta |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | To avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and English; 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
jordan:
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
jordan:
Not typically used
malta:
Not used in Malta
Horn Usage: Allowed
jordan:
To avoid accidents
malta:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
jordan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse
malta:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
jordan:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
jordan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
Turns
| Jordan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
Right Turn On Red
jordan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
malta:
Not allowed
Documentation
| Jordan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspections required | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
jordan:
International Driving Permit recommended
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
jordan:
International Driving Permit required
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
jordan:
Annual inspections required
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
jordan:
Displayed on windshield
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
Road Etiquette
| Jordan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use is common | 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
jordan:
Moderate use is common
malta:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
jordan:
Pull over and stop if necessary
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Jordan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common at checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
jordan:
0.00%
malta:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
jordan:
0.00%
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
jordan:
Common at checkpoints
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
jordan:
Can be substantial
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Jordan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
jordan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Jordan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 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
jordan:
911
malta:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
jordan:
911
malta:
112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
jordan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jordan:
Recommended
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jordan:
Recommended
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Jordan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial | 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 | Fines apply | Typically around €50, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, occasionally | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
jordan:
Varies; fines can be substantial
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
jordan:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
jordan:
Fines apply
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
jordan:
Fines apply
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
jordan:
Fines apply
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
jordan:
Yes, occasionally
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
jordan:
Typically 30 days to pay
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay