Driving in Liechtenstein vs. Malta: Key Safety Differences
When comparing the road rules of Liechtenstein and Malta, distinct variations emerge that can significantly affect your travel experience. From driving sides—right in Liechtenstein versus left in Malta—to speed limits and lane usage, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring safe journeys in each unique environment.
Lanes
| Liechtenstein | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing. | 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not typically used in Liechtenstein. | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
liechtenstein:
Right
malta:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
liechtenstein:
Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing.
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
liechtenstein:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
Overtaking: On Left
liechtenstein:
Yes
malta:
No
Overtaking: On Right
liechtenstein:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
malta:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
liechtenstein:
Use rightmost lane.
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
liechtenstein:
No
malta:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
liechtenstein:
Not typically used in Liechtenstein.
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
liechtenstein:
N/A
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
liechtenstein:
Exclusive for bicycles.
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
liechtenstein:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
malta:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
liechtenstein:
Yes
malta:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
liechtenstein:
Electronic signs display current limits.
malta:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Liechtenstein | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
liechtenstein:
30 km/h
malta:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
liechtenstein:
120 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
liechtenstein:
100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
liechtenstein:
Yes
malta:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
liechtenstein:
Electronic signs display current limits
malta:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Liechtenstein | 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 | Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green | Not used in Malta |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | English and Maltese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
liechtenstein:
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
liechtenstein:
Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green
malta:
Not used in Malta
Traffic Signs: Language
liechtenstein:
German; symbols are standard
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
liechtenstein:
Triangle-shaped with red border
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
Turns
| Liechtenstein | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
liechtenstein:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Liechtenstein | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
liechtenstein:
Required annually
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
liechtenstein:
Displayed on windshield
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Liechtenstein | 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
liechtenstein:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Liechtenstein | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Heavy fines; varies by severity | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.08%
malta:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.05%
malta:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.00%; zero tolerance
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
liechtenstein:
Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines; varies by severity
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Liechtenstein | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
liechtenstein:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Liechtenstein | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance company or local service providers | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
liechtenstein:
117
malta:
112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
liechtenstein:
Contact insurance company or local service providers
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Liechtenstein | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | 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 | Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance | Typically around €50, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, points on license | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately | 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
liechtenstein:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
liechtenstein:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
liechtenstein:
Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
liechtenstein:
Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines, points on license
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
liechtenstein:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay