Driving in Kazakhstan vs. Malta: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Kazakhstan and Malta, drivers encounter striking contrasts in regulations and practices. From diverse lane usage to varying speed limits and alcohol restrictions, understanding these distinctions is crucial for a safe journey. Whether you’re on the right side in Kazakhstan or the left in Malta, being informed enhances your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Kazakhstan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left 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 Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Varies by region | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles where present. | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
Driving Side
kazakhstan:
Right
malta:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kazakhstan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
kazakhstan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
Overtaking: On Left
kazakhstan:
Yes
malta:
No
Overtaking: On Right
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
malta:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
kazakhstan:
Use rightmost lane.
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
malta:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
malta:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Kazakhstan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
malta:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
malta:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kazakhstan:
Yes
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Kazakhstan | 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 Kazakhstan | Not used in Malta |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard | English and Maltese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
kazakhstan:
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
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
malta:
Not used in Malta
Traffic Signs: Language
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
Turns
| Kazakhstan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
malta:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Kazakhstan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Kazakhstan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
malta:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
kazakhstan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Kazakhstan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
malta:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
malta:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Fines
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Kazakhstan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
kazakhstan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Kazakhstan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 102 | 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 | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
kazakhstan:
Call 102
malta:
112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Kazakhstan | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | Typically around €50, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for handheld use while driving | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks | 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
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay