Driving Differences: Malta vs Romania for Safer Travels
When exploring the roads of Malta and Romania, drivers encounter distinct rules that influence their travel experience. Notable contrasts include Malta's left-side driving and lower speed limits, while Romania enforces stricter alcohol regulations and a right-side approach. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure journey in either destination.
Lanes
| Malta | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mainly in urban areas |
| 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 commonly used |
Driving Side
malta:
Left
romania:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
romania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
romania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
malta:
No
romania:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malta:
Yes
romania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
romania:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
romania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
romania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
malta:
Yes
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
romania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
malta:
N/A
romania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
malta:
N/A
romania:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
romania:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Malta | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70 km/h | 90 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 | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malta:
50 km/h
romania:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
70 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malta:
70 km/h
romania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
70 km/h
romania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
80 km/h
romania:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malta:
80 km/h
romania:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
80 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
romania:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
romania:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Malta | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Romania |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Maltese; symbols are standard | Romanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
malta:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
romania:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malta:
Not used in Malta
romania:
Not used in Romania
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
malta:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
Traffic Signs: Language
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Malta | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise |
U- Turns Allowed
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
Documentation
| Malta | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield. | Displayed on the 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
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
romania:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
romania:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended
romania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended
romania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Malta | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use expected |
| 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
romania:
Moderate use expected
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
romania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Malta | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits |
| 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 | Considerable fines for offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
malta:
0.05%
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
Limits: Professional Drivers
malta:
0.02%
romania:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
romania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
Roundabouts
| Malta | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
romania:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Malta | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 for emergencies | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta | Call your insurance provider or a local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road |
Contact: Traffic Police
malta:
112 for emergencies
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
Penalties And Fines
| Malta | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time | Hefty fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Typically around €50, points may apply | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Typically around €100, points on license | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Typically around €100, points on license | Fines applicable; license points may be added |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist |
Common Fines: Speeding
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
Payment: On The Spot
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
Payment: Deadline
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
malta:
Possible if fines are not paid
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist