Driving in Malta vs. Saudi Arabia: Key Differences
When traveling abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for a safe journey. This comparison between Malta and Saudi Arabia reveals notable contrasts: Malta drives on the left with distinct traffic markings and bus lanes, while Saudi Arabia operates on the right, emphasizing high-speed limits and strict alcohol policies. Explore these vital distinctions to ensure your driving experience is both informed and secure.
Lanes
| Malta | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
malta:
Left
saudi arabia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
saudi arabia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
saudi arabia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
malta:
No
saudi arabia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malta:
Yes
saudi arabia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
saudi arabia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
malta:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
malta:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
malta:
N/A
saudi arabia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
malta:
No
saudi arabia:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
malta:
N/A
saudi arabia:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
saudi arabia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Malta | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 120-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 120 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS |
Urban Areas: Standard
malta:
50 km/h
saudi arabia:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malta:
50 km/h
saudi arabia:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
70 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malta:
70 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
70 km/h
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malta:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
saudi arabia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
Signals
| Malta | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Saudi Arabia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Maltese; symbols are standard | Arabic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
malta:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
saudi arabia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malta:
Not used in Malta
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
Traffic Signs: Language
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
saudi arabia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Malta | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
saudi arabia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Malta | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Mandatory periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield. | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Malta | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use for communication on the road |
| 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
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
saudi arabia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Malta | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, random checkpoints are used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial | Substantial; possible imprisonment |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Frequent for offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
malta:
0.05%
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
malta:
0.02%
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
Enforcement: Fines
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
Enforcement: Imprisonment
malta:
Possible for severe offenses
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
Test Refusal
malta:
Can result in license suspension
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
Roundabouts
| Malta | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
saudi arabia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Malta | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 for emergencies | 993 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
malta:
112
saudi arabia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
malta:
112 for emergencies
saudi arabia:
993
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
saudi arabia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Malta | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time | Substantial fines, imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Typically around €50, points may apply | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Typically around €100, points on license | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Typically around €100, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
saudi arabia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay