Driving in Malta vs. Turkey: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Malta and Turkey, it's essential to be aware of their unique driving practices and regulations. Key distinctions include driving on the left in Malta versus the right in Turkey, varying speed limits, and differing rules on overtaking. Understanding these nuances is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Malta | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if 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 and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| 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: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
malta:
Left
turkey:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
turkey:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
turkey:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
malta:
No
turkey:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malta:
Yes
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
turkey:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
turkey:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
malta:
N/A
turkey:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
malta:
N/A
turkey:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
malta:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Malta | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70 km/h | 90 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 |
| 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, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malta:
50 km/h
turkey:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
70 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malta:
70 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
70 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
80 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malta:
80 km/h
turkey:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
80 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
malta:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Malta | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Maltese; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
malta:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
turkey:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malta:
Not used in Malta
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
malta:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Malta | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
malta:
Not allowed
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Malta | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield. | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| 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
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Malta | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
| 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
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
turkey:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Malta | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| 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 are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
malta:
0.02%
turkey:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
turkey:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
malta:
Can result in license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Malta | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
turkey:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Malta | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 for emergencies | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| 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
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Malta | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Typically around €50, points may apply | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Typically around €100, points on license | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Typically around €100, points on license | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges