Driving in Malta vs. Switzerland: Key Differences Explored
When exploring the unique road practices between Malta and Switzerland, drivers will uncover significant distinctions. From lane regulations and speed limits to traffic signals and penalties, navigating these nuances is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Understanding these variations can enhance your driving experience abroad and promote safer travel.
Lanes
| Malta | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on some divided roads. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used to indicate parking restrictions. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| 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
switzerland:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Left
malta:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malta:
Yes
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
switzerland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
switzerland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
malta:
N/A
switzerland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
malta:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Malta | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 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 | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 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, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
malta:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malta:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
70 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malta:
70 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
70 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
80 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malta:
80 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
malta:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Malta | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Prepare to go |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Maltese; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
malta:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
switzerland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malta:
Not used in Malta
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Traffic Signs: Language
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Malta | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
malta:
Not allowed
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Malta | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield. | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| 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
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended
switzerland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Malta | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
switzerland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Malta | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
malta:
0.02%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
malta:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Malta | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| 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 the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
malta:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Signaling: Exiting
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
switzerland:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
malta:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Malta | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 for emergencies | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta | 140 |
| 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
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
switzerland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Malta | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| 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 | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Typically around €100, points on license | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Typically around €100, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay