Driving in Malta vs. Poland: Key Differences Explained
Discover the essential distinctions between Malta and Poland's road regulations to enhance your travel experience. From diverse speed limits to contrasting lane usage, understanding these nuances is vital for ensuring your safety on foreign roads. Familiarize yourself with unique traffic signals and etiquette to navigate confidently and responsibly while abroad.
LEFT
Driving Side
The driving side in malta is the Left Side of the road
94
Driving Safety Score
The driving Driving Safety Score in malta is 94
1.391 $
Gas Price in USD
The driving Driving Safety Score for malta is 1.391 US Dollars
While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.
Lanes
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| Malta | Poland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right | |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on some divided roads. | Used for temporary markings, such as during road works. | |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used to indicate parking restrictions. | Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe. | |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes | |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads. | |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. | |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified. | |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' on the road. | |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. | Exclusive for bicycles. | |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes | |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
malta:
Left
poland:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
poland:
Used for temporary markings, such as during road works.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
poland:
Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
malta:
No
poland:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malta:
Yes
poland:
Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
poland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
poland:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
poland:
Labeled 'BUS' on the road.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
poland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
malta:
N/A
poland:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
malta:
No
poland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
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| Malta | Poland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 20 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70 km/h | 90 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h | |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 140 km/h | |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h | |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes | |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. | |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malta:
50 km/h
poland:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
70 km/h
poland:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malta:
70 km/h
poland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
80 km/h
poland:
140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malta:
80 km/h
poland:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
malta:
No
poland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
poland:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation.
Signals
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| Malta | Poland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Malta | Signals a change to green is imminent. | |
| Use Of Indicators: Mandatory | Yes, for all turns and lane changes | Yes, for all turns and lane changes. | |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. | |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents. | |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. | |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. | |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. | |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. | |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. | |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. | |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Maltese; symbols are standard | Polish; symbols are standard. | |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. | |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. | Triangular with red border. |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malta:
Not used in Malta
poland:
Signals a change to green is imminent.
Use Of Indicators: Mandatory
malta:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes
poland:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
malta:
Signal when exiting
poland:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Allowed
malta:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
poland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
malta:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
poland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
Horn Usage: Penalties
malta:
Fines may apply for misuse
poland:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
malta:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
poland:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
malta:
Not to be used to signal other messages
poland:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
malta:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
poland:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
malta:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
poland:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
poland:
Polish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
malta:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
poland:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
poland:
Triangular with red border.
Turns
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| Malta | Poland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed only if a green arrow is present. | |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. | |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. | |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs. | |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. | |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
malta:
Not allowed
poland:
Allowed only if a green arrow is present.
Left Turn: General
malta:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
poland:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
malta:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
poland:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
poland:
Varies by location; check for signs.
Special Turn Lanes
malta:
Yes, marked with arrows
poland:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
malta:
Prohibited
poland:
Prohibited.
Documentation
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| Malta | Poland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. | |
| 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 with International Driving Permit. | |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. | |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Mandatory every year. | |
| 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: Requirement
malta:
Valid driver's license required
poland:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
poland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
poland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit.
Insurance
malta:
Liability insurance mandatory
poland:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
poland:
Mandatory every year.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
poland:
Displayed on windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended
poland:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended
poland:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...
| Malta | Poland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. | |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. | |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. | |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. | |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. | |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries. | |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. | |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. | |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
malta:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
poland:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
malta:
Discouraged, fines may apply
poland:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
malta:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
poland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
malta:
Discouraged and may be penalized
poland:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
malta:
Only in emergency situations
poland:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
malta:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
poland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
Pedestrians Priority
malta:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
poland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
poland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
malta:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
poland:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Discover the essential distinctions between Malta and Poland's road regulations to enhance your travel experience. From diverse speed limits to contrasting lane usage, understanding these nuances is vital for ensuring your safety on foreign roads. Familiarize yourself with unique traffic signals and etiquette to navigate confidently and responsibly while abroad.
Alcohol
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| Malta | Poland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% | |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% | |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00% | |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. | |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. | |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used frequently. | |
| Enforcement: Fines | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial. | |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. | |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
malta:
0.05%
poland:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
malta:
0.02%
poland:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
poland:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
malta:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
poland:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
malta:
Check if medication affects driving ability
poland:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
poland:
Common; checkpoints used frequently.
Enforcement: Fines
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
poland:
Varies; can be substantial.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
malta:
Possible for severe offenses
poland:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
malta:
Can result in license suspension
poland:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
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| Malta | Poland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. | |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. | |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. | |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. | |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. | |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
malta:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
poland:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
malta:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
poland:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
malta:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
poland:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
poland:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
malta:
Use for first exit or straight
poland:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
malta:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
poland:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...
| Malta | Poland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 for emergencies | 997 | |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta | 981 or through your insurance provider. | |
| 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
poland:
997
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
poland:
981 or through your insurance provider.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.
Penalties And Fines
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| Malta | Poland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license | Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles. | |
| 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 | Mandatory, fines apply. | |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Typically around €100, points on license | Fines apply for use without hands-free device. | |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Typically around €100, points on license | Fines and license points apply. | |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Rare; usually paid online or by mail. | |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 days to pay | Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay. | |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. | |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
poland:
Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles.
Common Fines: Alcohol
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
poland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
poland:
Mandatory, fines apply.
Common Fines: Phone Use
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
poland:
Fines apply for use without hands-free device.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
poland:
Fines and license points apply.
Payment: On The Spot
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
poland:
Rare; usually paid online or by mail.
Payment: Deadline
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
poland:
Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
malta:
Same as residents; must be paid
poland:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
malta:
Possible if fines are not paid
poland:
Possible if fines are not paid.