Driving Differences: Malta vs. Tonga for Safe Travel
When navigating the roads of Malta and Tonga, understanding the variations in regulations and practices is essential for a secure journey. Key distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol consumption thresholds. While Malta mandates bus and cycle lanes, Tonga allows overtaking on the left, emphasizing the need for thorough preparation before driving abroad.
Lanes
| Malta | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on some divided roads. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| 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. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
tonga:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
malta:
No
tonga:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malta:
Yes
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
malta:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
malta:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
malta:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
malta:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Malta | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
malta:
50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malta:
50 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
70 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malta:
70 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
70 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
80 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
malta:
80 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
80 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
malta:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Malta | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Maltese; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; 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.
tonga:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malta:
Not used in Malta
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
malta:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Malta | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
Right Turn On Red
malta:
Not allowed
tonga:
Prohibited
Documentation
| Malta | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield. | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended
tonga:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended
tonga:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Malta | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
malta:
0.05%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
malta:
0.02%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Malta | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 for emergencies | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta | Check with your insurance provider |
| 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
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
malta:
112 for emergencies
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Malta | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| 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 | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Typically around €100, points on license | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Typically around €100, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 days to pay | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Alcohol
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
tonga:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred