Driving in Malta vs. Mexico: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Malta and Mexico, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experience behind the wheel. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol regulations and emergency protocols, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe journey in either country. Prepare for a driving adventure that highlights both challenges and unique norms!
Lanes
| Malta | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on some divided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used to indicate parking restrictions. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
malta:
Left
mexico:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
mexico:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
mexico:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
malta:
No
mexico:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malta:
Yes
mexico:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
mexico:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
malta:
N/A
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
malta:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Malta | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
malta:
50 km/h
mexico:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malta:
50 km/h
mexico:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
70 km/h
mexico:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malta:
70 km/h
mexico:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
70 km/h
mexico:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
80 km/h
mexico:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malta:
80 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
80 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
Signals
| Malta | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Malta | Not used in Mexico |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Maltese; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. | Triangular signs with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
malta:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
mexico:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malta:
Not used in Malta
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
Traffic Signs: Language
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
Turns
| Malta | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited |
Right Turn On Red
malta:
Not allowed
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
Documentation
| Malta | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Varies by state; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield. | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended
mexico:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended
mexico:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Malta | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
malta:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
mexico:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Malta | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
malta:
0.05%
mexico:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
malta:
0.02%
mexico:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
mexico:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
mexico:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Malta | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
mexico:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Malta | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 for emergencies | 066 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
malta:
112
mexico:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
malta:
112 for emergencies
mexico:
066 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Malta | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Typically around €50, points may apply | Varies, up to $50, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Typically around €100, points on license | Varies; can lead to significant fines |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Typically around €100, points on license | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 days to pay | Varies; system improvements for online payments |
Common Fines: Speeding
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
mexico:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
Payment: Deadline
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments