Driving in Malta vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Malta and the United Kingdom, understanding the contrasting rules and regulations is crucial for ensuring road safety. Key distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and signaling practices, which can significantly impact your driving experience. Familiarizing yourself with these variations will help you drive confidently and safely in both countries.
Lanes
| Malta | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on some divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used to indicate parking restrictions. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid White Line
malta:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
malta:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Left
malta:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malta:
Yes
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
malta:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Bus Lanes: Usage
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
malta:
N/A
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
malta:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
malta:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Malta | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| 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 | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
malta:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malta:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
70 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malta:
70 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
70 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
malta:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
malta:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
malta:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Malta | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Maltese; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| 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.
united kingdom:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malta:
Not used in Malta
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
malta:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Malta | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
malta:
Not allowed
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
malta:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
malta:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Malta | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield. | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| 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
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Malta | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Malta | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Fines | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
malta:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Fines
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Malta | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| 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 |
Signaling: Entering
malta:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Signaling: Exiting
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
united kingdom:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
malta:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Malta | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 for emergencies | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| 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
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
malta:
112 for emergencies
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Malta | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| 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 | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Typically around €100, points on license | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Typically around €100, points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: Deadline
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay