Driving in Malta vs. Slovakia: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Malta and Slovakia, drivers encounter unique regulations and practices that shape their travel experience. Key distinctions include driving on opposite sides and differing speed limits. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a secure and smooth journey across these fascinating nations.
Lanes
| Malta | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Usage | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
malta:
Left
slovakia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
slovakia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
slovakia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
malta:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malta:
Yes
slovakia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
slovakia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
slovakia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
slovakia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
slovakia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
malta:
N/A
slovakia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
malta:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Malta | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 90 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: 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 | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malta:
50 km/h
slovakia:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
70 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malta:
70 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
70 km/h
slovakia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
80 km/h
slovakia:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malta:
80 km/h
slovakia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
80 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
malta:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
slovakia:
Yes
Signals
| Malta | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Slovakia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Maltese; symbols are standard | Slovak; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. | Triangular-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
malta:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
slovakia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malta:
Not used in Malta
slovakia:
Not used in Slovakia
Traffic Signs: Language
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
slovakia:
Slovak; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
slovakia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Malta | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
slovakia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Malta | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 along with local license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Mandatory and regular inspections required |
| 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: Foreign: E U/ E E A
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
slovakia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
slovakia:
International Driving Permit required along with local license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
slovakia:
Mandatory and regular inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
slovakia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended
slovakia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended
slovakia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Malta | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
slovakia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Malta | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
malta:
0.05%
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
malta:
0.02%
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
slovakia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
slovakia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
slovakia:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Malta | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
slovakia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Malta | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 for emergencies | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta | Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service |
| 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
slovakia:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
slovakia:
Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
slovakia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
slovakia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Malta | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license | Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible |
| 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 | €50 to €150, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Typically around €100, points on license | €100 to €200, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Typically around €100, points on license | €100 to €250, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Common |
Common Fines: Speeding
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
slovakia:
Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible
Common Fines: Alcohol
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
slovakia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
slovakia:
€50 to €150, points in some regions
Common Fines: Phone Use
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
slovakia:
€100 to €200, points in some regions
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
slovakia:
€100 to €250, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
slovakia:
Common