Driving in Malaysia vs. Malta: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Malaysia and Malta, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that significantly impact safety and compliance. From varying speed limits to specific markings and lane usage, understanding these contrasts is crucial for a secure journey abroad. Explore how these two nations shape their unique traffic environments and ensure a safe driving experience.
Lanes
| Malaysia | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions. | 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: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs. | 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 colored pavement. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
malaysia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
malaysia:
List length: 4
malta:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
malaysia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
malaysia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
malta:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Malaysia | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 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 | 90-110 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
malta:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malaysia:
30 km/h
malta:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malaysia:
Yes
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Malaysia | 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 Malaysia | Not used in Malta |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay 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
malaysia:
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
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
malta:
Not used in Malta
Traffic Signs: Language
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
Turns
| Malaysia | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Malaysia | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required yearly for roadworthiness | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield. |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malaysia:
Displayed on windshield
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
Alcohol
| Malaysia | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used nationwide | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
malaysia:
0.08%
malta:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
malaysia:
0.04%
malta:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
malaysia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
malaysia:
Substantial fines
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Malaysia | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring 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
malaysia:
999
malta:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
malaysia:
999
malta:
112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Malaysia | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; RM150 and above | 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 | RM300, points on license | Typically around €50, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | RM300, points on license | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; fines and points on license | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations | 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
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
malaysia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
malaysia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay