Malta vs. Taiwan: Essential Driving Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Malta and Taiwan, motorists will encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. Key distinctions include driving on the left in Malta versus the right in Taiwan, varied speed limits, and unique traffic signal protocols. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in each country.
Lanes
| Malta | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. | Exclusive for bicycles and scooters. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants during peak times |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
malta:
Left
taiwan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
taiwan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
taiwan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
malta:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malta:
Yes
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
taiwan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
malta:
N/A
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
malta:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
malta:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
malta:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Malta | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90-110 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 | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
malta:
50 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malta:
50 km/h
taiwan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
70 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malta:
70 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
70 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
80 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malta:
80 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
80 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
malta:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Malta | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Taiwan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Maltese; symbols are standard | Mandarin; 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.
taiwan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malta:
Not used in Malta
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Traffic Signs: Language
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Malta | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
malta:
Not allowed
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Malta | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield. | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not 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
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Malta | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
| 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
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
taiwan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Malta | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| 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, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
malta:
0.05%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
malta:
0.02%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
malta:
Can result in license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Malta | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
taiwan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Malta | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 for emergencies | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
malta:
112
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
malta:
112 for emergencies
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Malta | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time | Steep fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Typically around €50, points may apply | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Typically around €100, points on license | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Typically around €100, points on license | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
| 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
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay