Driving Differences: Malta vs. Montenegro Explained
When navigating the roads of Malta and Montenegro, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experience. Key contrasts include driving on opposite sides—left in Malta and right in Montenegro—as well as varying speed limits and rules around overtaking. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a safe and smooth journey in either destination.
Lanes
| Malta | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled with road signs and pavement markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Driving Side
malta:
Left
montenegro:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
montenegro:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
montenegro:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
malta:
No
montenegro:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malta:
Yes
montenegro:
Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
montenegro:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
montenegro:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
montenegro:
Labeled with road signs and pavement markings.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
montenegro:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
malta:
N/A
montenegro:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
malta:
N/A
montenegro:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
montenegro:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Malta | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malta:
50 km/h
montenegro:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
70 km/h
montenegro:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malta:
70 km/h
montenegro:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
70 km/h
montenegro:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
80 km/h
montenegro:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malta:
80 km/h
montenegro:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
montenegro:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
montenegro:
Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot
Signals
| Malta | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Montenegro |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Maltese; symbols are standard | Montenegrin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. | Triangle-shaped with red border and white background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
malta:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
montenegro:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malta:
Not used in Malta
montenegro:
Not used in Montenegro
Traffic Signs: Language
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
montenegro:
Montenegrin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
montenegro:
Triangle-shaped with red border and white background
Turns
| Malta | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Sometimes allowed, check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
malta:
Not allowed
montenegro:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
montenegro:
Sometimes allowed, check for signs
Documentation
| Malta | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield. | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
montenegro:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
montenegro:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
montenegro:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
montenegro:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended
montenegro:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended
montenegro:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Malta | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Use common but regulated |
| 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
montenegro:
Use common but regulated
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
montenegro:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Malta | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
malta:
0.05%
montenegro:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
malta:
0.02%
montenegro:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
montenegro:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
montenegro:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
montenegro:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Malta | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
montenegro:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Malta | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 for emergencies | 122 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta | Available from several organizations; check locally |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
malta:
112 for emergencies
montenegro:
122
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
montenegro:
Available from several organizations; check locally
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
montenegro:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
montenegro:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Malta | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license | Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses |
| 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 | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Typically around €100, points on license | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Typically around €100, points on license | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 days to pay | Usually within 8 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
montenegro:
Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses
Common Fines: Alcohol
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
montenegro:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Payment: On The Spot
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
montenegro:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
montenegro:
Usually within 8 days