Driving in Malta vs. Sweden: Key Safety Differences
When driving in Malta and Sweden, understanding the unique regulations and practices is crucial for ensuring road safety. Key distinctions include driving sides—left in Malta and right in Sweden—as well as varying speed limits, signaling protocols, and lane usage rules. Stay informed to navigate these diverse driving environments effectively.
Lanes
| Malta | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on some divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used to indicate parking restrictions. | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by 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
sweden:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
malta:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Left
malta:
No
sweden:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malta:
Yes
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
sweden:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
sweden:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
malta:
N/A
sweden:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
malta:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Malta | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 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 | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
malta:
50 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malta:
50 km/h
sweden:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
70 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malta:
70 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
70 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
80 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malta:
80 km/h
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
80 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
malta:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Malta | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Malta | Not common in Sweden. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Use is generally discouraged. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Maltese; symbols are standard | Swedish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
malta:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
malta:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malta:
Not used in Malta
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
malta:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
malta:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
malta:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
malta:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
malta:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
malta:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
malta:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
malta:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| Malta | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not generally allowed. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
malta:
Not allowed
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
malta:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
malta:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
malta:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
malta:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Malta | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield. | Proof may be required to be shown. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Driver's License: Requirement
malta:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
malta:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| Malta | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Rarely used except for emergencies. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
malta:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
malta:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
malta:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
malta:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
malta:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
malta:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
malta:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
malta:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Malta | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | Zero tolerance; 0.00%. |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial | Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for high levels or repeat offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
malta:
0.05%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
malta:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
malta:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
malta:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
malta:
Can result in license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Malta | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if you plan to take the first exit. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
malta:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
malta:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
malta:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
malta:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
malta:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Malta | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 for emergencies | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Contact: Traffic Police
malta:
112 for emergencies
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| Malta | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, 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 | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Typically around €100, points on license | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Typically around €100, points on license | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 days to pay | Typically within 30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
malta:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
malta:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.