Driving in Libya vs Malta: Key Differences Explained
Welcome to our insightful comparison of driving regulations between Libya and Malta. Discover the notable contrasts in road etiquette, speed limits, and lane usage. With Libya driving on the right and Malta on the left, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring safe and enjoyable travels in each nation.
Lanes
| Libya | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the separation between directions on some roads. | Marks the left edge on some divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Often used to indicate parking restrictions. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not commonly designated. | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Not commonly designated. | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Generally not used. | N/A |
Driving Side
libya:
Right
malta:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
libya:
Marks the separation between directions on some roads.
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
libya:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
Overtaking: On Left
libya:
Yes
malta:
No
Overtaking: On Right
libya:
Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
malta:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
libya:
Use rightmost lane.
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
libya:
No
malta:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
libya:
Not commonly designated.
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
libya:
N/A
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
libya:
No
malta:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
libya:
Not commonly designated.
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
libya:
Not applicable
malta:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
libya:
Generally not used.
malta:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Libya | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 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 | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Generally not used. | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
libya:
40 km/h
malta:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
libya:
90 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
libya:
80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
libya:
100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
libya:
90 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
libya:
Generally not used.
malta:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
libya:
Yes
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Libya | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Libya | Not used in Malta |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic | English and Maltese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
libya:
Not used in Libya
malta:
Not used in Malta
Traffic Signs: Language
libya:
Arabic
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
libya:
Triangle-shaped with red border
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
Turns
| Libya | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless specified | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
libya:
Generally not allowed unless specified
malta:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
libya:
Varies by locality; check for signs
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Libya | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required for registration and periodically thereafter | 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
libya:
International Driving Permit required
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
libya:
International Driving Permit recommended
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
libya:
Required for registration and periodically thereafter
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
libya:
Displayed on windshield
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
Road Etiquette
| Libya | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
libya:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Libya | 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: Random Checks | Possible; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
libya:
0.00%
malta:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
libya:
0.00%
malta:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
libya:
0.00%
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
libya:
Possible; checkpoints used in some areas
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
libya:
Varies; can be substantial
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Libya | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
libya:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Libya | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 193 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by area | 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 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
libya:
193
malta:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
libya:
Varies by area
malta:
112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
libya:
Check with your insurance provider
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
libya:
Recommended
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
libya:
Recommended
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Libya | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on severity | 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 may apply | Typically around €50, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required within 30 days | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
libya:
Varies; fines based on severity
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
libya:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
libya:
Fines may apply
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
libya:
Fines may apply
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
libya:
Fines may apply
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
libya:
Possible
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
libya:
Varies; typically required within 30 days
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay