Driving in Malta vs South Africa: Key Safety Insights
In this comprehensive comparison of driving regulations between Malta and South Africa, we unveil key distinctions that influence road safety. From speed limits and lane markings to emergency protocols, each country's unique traffic rules shape the driving experience. Discover how these variations impact your journey abroad and ensure a secure travel adventure.
Lanes
| Malta | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on some divided roads. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used to indicate parking restrictions. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
malta:
No
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
malta:
Yes
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Bus Lanes: Usage
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
malta:
N/A
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Malta | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
malta:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malta:
50 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
70 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malta:
70 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
70 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
80 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malta:
80 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Malta | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Maltese; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
malta:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
south africa:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malta:
Not used in Malta
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Malta | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
U- Turns Allowed
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Malta | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield. | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Malta | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: Underage Drivers
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
malta:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Emergency Services
| Malta | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 for emergencies | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
malta:
112
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
malta:
112 for emergencies
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Malta | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| 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 | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Typically around €100, points on license | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Typically around €100, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay