Driving in Madagascar vs. Malta: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the distinct driving regulations of Madagascar and Malta, it's crucial to understand their unique traffic norms and safety measures. Notably, Madagascar drives on the right, while Malta adheres to the left. Additionally, speed limits and lane usage practices significantly differ, underscoring the importance of awareness for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Madagascar | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically not used. | 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 | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Stay to the right lane when possible. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Available mainly in urban areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved mostly for buses. | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be marked clearly in major cities. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Sparse | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles unless marked. | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes, when possible. | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are fixed. | N/A |
Driving Side
madagascar:
Right
malta:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
madagascar:
Typically not used.
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
madagascar:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
Overtaking: On Left
madagascar:
Yes
malta:
No
Overtaking: On Right
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
malta:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
malta:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Sparse
malta:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
malta:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
malta:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Madagascar | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 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 |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, particularly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common. | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Not applicable
malta:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
malta:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Madagascar | 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 commonly used | Not used in Malta |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | May apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French and Malagasy | English and Maltese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red borders | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
madagascar:
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
madagascar:
Not commonly used
malta:
Not used in Malta
Horn Usage: Allowed
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
malta:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
malta:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
malta:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
malta:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
malta:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
Turns
| Madagascar | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless specified otherwise | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
madagascar:
Prohibited
malta:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Madagascar | 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 recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for all vehicles | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Indication may vary | Displayed on license plate or windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
madagascar:
Indication may vary
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
madagascar:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Madagascar | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Use is more frequent in urban areas | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Significantly used for communication with other drivers | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
malta:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
malta:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
malta:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
malta:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Madagascar | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.08% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
malta:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
malta:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
madagascar:
0.02%
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
madagascar:
Can be substantial
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
Test Refusal
madagascar:
Results in penalties
malta:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Madagascar | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Not commonly practiced | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
malta:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Madagascar | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 117 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Could vary; commonly police contact | 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited | 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: General Emergency
madagascar:
117
malta:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
malta:
112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
madagascar:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Madagascar | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels | Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-use | Typically around €50, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use while driving | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Monetary fines applied | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Determined by issuing authority | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay