Driving in Malta vs. Slovenia: Key Safety Differences
Explore the essential distinctions in road regulations and driving customs between Malta and Slovenia. From lane usage and speed limits to penalties and emergency protocols, this comparison illuminates critical factors for a safe journey. Whether navigating roundabouts or understanding alcohol limits, being informed can enhance your travel experience in these unique locales.
Lanes
| Malta | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
malta:
Left
slovenia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
slovenia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
slovenia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
malta:
No
slovenia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malta:
Yes
slovenia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
slovenia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
slovenia:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
slovenia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
slovenia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
malta:
N/A
slovenia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Malta | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes, fines are often issued directly by police |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malta:
50 km/h
slovenia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
70 km/h
slovenia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malta:
70 km/h
slovenia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
70 km/h
slovenia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
80 km/h
slovenia:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malta:
80 km/h
slovenia:
100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
slovenia:
Yes, fines are often issued directly by police
Signals
| Malta | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Slovenia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Maltese; symbols are standard | Slovenian; 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.
slovenia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malta:
Not used in Malta
slovenia:
Not used in Slovenia
Traffic Signs: Language
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
slovenia:
Slovenian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
slovenia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Malta | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed where not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
malta:
Not allowed
slovenia:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
slovenia:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Malta | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; no International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended, but not mandatory for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Yes, periodic 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
slovenia:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
slovenia:
International Driving Permit recommended, but not mandatory for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
slovenia:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
slovenia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended
slovenia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended
slovenia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Malta | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
slovenia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Malta | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; roadside checks conducted |
| Enforcement: Fines | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial | Severe fines; varies based on offense |
Limits: Professional Drivers
malta:
0.02%
slovenia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
slovenia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
slovenia:
Common; roadside checks conducted
Enforcement: Fines
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
slovenia:
Severe fines; varies based on offense
Roundabouts
| Malta | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
slovenia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Malta | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 for emergencies | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta | 1987 for AMZS |
| 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
slovenia:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
slovenia:
1987 for AMZS
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
slovenia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
slovenia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Malta | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license | Varies; €40 to €1200, points on license |
| 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 | Fines apply, €120 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Typically around €100, points on license | Fines apply, €120 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Typically around €100, points on license | Fines apply, €250 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes, often fines are paid directly or within a deadline |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 days to pay | Varies; typically 8 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
slovenia:
Varies; €40 to €1200, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
slovenia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
slovenia:
Fines apply, €120
Common Fines: Phone Use
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
slovenia:
Fines apply, €120
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
slovenia:
Fines apply, €250
Payment: On The Spot
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
slovenia:
Yes, often fines are paid directly or within a deadline
Payment: Deadline
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
slovenia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay