Driving in Malta vs. Oman: Key Differences Explained
Driving in Malta and Oman presents unique challenges and regulations that every traveler should be aware of. From lane usage and speed limits to traffic signals and alcohol limits, these countries showcase contrasting approaches to road safety. Understanding these distinctions will help ensure a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Malta | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| 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 | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
malta:
Left
oman:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
oman:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
oman:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
malta:
No
oman:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malta:
Yes
oman:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
oman:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
malta:
Yes
oman:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
oman:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
oman:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
oman:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
malta:
N/A
oman:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
malta:
N/A
oman:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
oman:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Malta | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
malta:
50 km/h
oman:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malta:
50 km/h
oman:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
70 km/h
oman:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malta:
70 km/h
oman:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
70 km/h
oman:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
80 km/h
oman:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malta:
80 km/h
oman:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
80 km/h
oman:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
oman:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
oman:
Yes
Signals
| Malta | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Oman |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Maltese; symbols are standard | Arabic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
malta:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
oman:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malta:
Not used in Malta
oman:
Not used in Oman
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
malta:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
oman:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Traffic Signs: Language
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
oman:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
oman:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Malta | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
malta:
Not allowed
oman:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
oman:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Malta | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Regular inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield. | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
oman:
Regular inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
oman:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended
oman:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Malta | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Use more frequent 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
oman:
Use more frequent compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
oman:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Malta | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| 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 |
| Enforcement: Fines | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial | Substantial fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
malta:
0.05%
oman:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
malta:
0.02%
oman:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
oman:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
oman:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
oman:
Substantial fines
Test Refusal
malta:
Can result in license suspension
oman:
Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties
Roundabouts
| Malta | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
oman:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Malta | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 9999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 for emergencies | 9999 |
| 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 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
malta:
112
oman:
9999
Contact: Traffic Police
malta:
112 for emergencies
oman:
9999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
oman:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
oman:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
oman:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Malta | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license | Varies; fines can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Typically around €50, points may apply | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Typically around €100, points on license | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Typically around €100, points on license | Fines can be substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 days to pay | Varies; ensure timely payment |
Common Fines: Speeding
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
oman:
Varies; fines can be substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
oman:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
oman:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
oman:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
oman:
Fines can be substantial
Payment: On The Spot
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
oman:
Common
Payment: Deadline
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
oman:
Varies; ensure timely payment