Driving Differences: Malta vs Nigeria for Safe Travel
When navigating the roads of Malta and Nigeria, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that significantly influence their travel experiences. Key disparities include driving sides—left in Malta versus right in Nigeria—as well as differing speed limits and signaling protocols. Understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Malta | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on some divided roads. | Used as a divider on major roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used to indicate parking restrictions. | Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Only where permitted and safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane where applicable. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. | Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. | Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Driving Side
malta:
Left
nigeria:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
Overtaking: On Left
malta:
No
nigeria:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malta:
Yes
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
Bus Lanes: Usage
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
malta:
Yes
nigeria:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
malta:
N/A
nigeria:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Malta | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare, mostly manual enforcement |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
malta:
50 km/h
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malta:
50 km/h
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
70 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malta:
70 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
80 km/h
nigeria:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malta:
80 km/h
nigeria:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
malta:
Yes
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Malta | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to other road users |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Malta | Not commonly used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Often used to signal presence or warning |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Rare but can apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not for other messages |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common in certain areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Maltese; symbols are standard | English; symbols can vary |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
malta:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malta:
Not used in Malta
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
malta:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
malta:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
malta:
Fines may apply for misuse
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
malta:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
malta:
Not to be used to signal other messages
nigeria:
Not for other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
malta:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
Traffic Signs: Language
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
Traffic Signs: Warning
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Malta | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed unless indicated |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Rarely marked |
Right Turn On Red
malta:
Not allowed
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
U- Turns Allowed
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
malta:
Yes, marked with arrows
nigeria:
Rarely marked
Documentation
| Malta | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield. | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | 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
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
malta:
Liability insurance mandatory
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended
nigeria:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Malta | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and can lead to fines |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used, but officially for emergencies |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, similar to some other countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
malta:
Discouraged, fines may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
malta:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
malta:
Discouraged and may be penalized
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
Use Of Horn: Limited
malta:
Only in emergency situations
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
malta:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
Pedestrians Priority
malta:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Malta | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Occasional roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial | Fines vary across states |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for repeated or severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Likely to result in arrest or fines |
Limits: Underage Drivers
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
Enforcement: Imprisonment
malta:
Possible for severe offenses
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
Test Refusal
malta:
Can result in license suspension
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
Roundabouts
| Malta | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal appropriately when entering if turning |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits |
Priority: Inside
malta:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
Signaling: Entering
malta:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
Signaling: Exiting
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
malta:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
Emergency Services
| Malta | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 for emergencies | Varies by region; check local contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
malta:
112
nigeria:
112 or 199
Contact: Traffic Police
malta:
112 for emergencies
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
nigeria:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Malta | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time | Varies; fines and potential jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Typically around €50, points may apply | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Typically around €100, points on license | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Typically around €100, points on license | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Common; usually with cash |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 days to pay | Varies by offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
Common Fines: Alcohol
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
Payment: On The Spot
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
Payment: Deadline
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
nigeria:
Varies by offense