Driving in Malta vs. Spain: Key Differences Explained
Welcome to our comprehensive comparison between Malta and Spain, where we explore the diverse rules of the road and their implications for safe travel. Key distinctions include driving on the left in Malta versus the right in Spain, along with varying speed limits and lane usage regulations. Stay informed to enhance your driving experience abroad!
LEFT
Driving Side
The driving side in malta is the Left Side of the road
94
Driving Safety Score
The driving Driving Safety Score in malta is 94
1.391 $
Gas Price in USD
The driving Driving Safety Score for malta is 1.391 US Dollars
While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.
Lanes
Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...
| Malta | Spain | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. | |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. | |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. | Reserved for buses and taxis. | |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; 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. | |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes | |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants | |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes | |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
malta:
Left
spain:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
spain:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
malta:
No
spain:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malta:
Yes
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
spain:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
malta:
N/A
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
malta:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
malta:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
malta:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...
| Malta | Spain | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80-90 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h | |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 120 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, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malta:
50 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
70 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malta:
70 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
70 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
80 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malta:
80 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
malta:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...
| Malta | Spain | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Spain | |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Maltese; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard | |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
malta:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
spain:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malta:
Not used in Malta
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...
| Malta | Spain | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise | |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
malta:
Not allowed
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...
| Malta | Spain | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; must carry license. | |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. | |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections required. | |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield. | Displayed on windshield in some areas. | |
| 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
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...
| Malta | Spain | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations | |
| 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
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Welcome to our comprehensive comparison between Malta and Spain, where we explore the diverse rules of the road and their implications for safe travel. Key distinctions include driving on the left in Malta versus the right in Spain, along with varying speed limits and lane usage regulations. Stay informed to enhance your driving experience abroad!
Alcohol
Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...
| Malta | Spain | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% | |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance | |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints frequently used | |
| Enforcement: Fines | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial | Severe penalties, including high fines | |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
malta:
0.02%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
malta:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...
| Malta | Spain | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
spain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...
| Malta | Spain | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 for emergencies | Check with local authorities | |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta | Contact your insurance provider or RACE | |
| 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
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...
| Malta | Spain | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license | |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment | |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Typically around €50, points may apply | €200, mandatory use | |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Typically around €100, points on license | €200, points on license | |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Typically around €100, points on license | €200, points on license | |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes; discount if paid promptly. | |
| 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
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay