Driving Differences: Malta vs. Uzbekistan Explained
When exploring the roadways of Malta and Uzbekistan, it's essential to grasp their unique regulations and practices. From the driving side—left in Malta and right in Uzbekistan—to varying speed limits and overtaking rules, understanding these distinctions fosters safer journeys abroad. Embrace the road ahead with confidence by recognizing these crucial driving nuances.
Lanes
| Malta | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on some divided roads. | Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided 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 discouraged, unless unavoidable. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use the rightmost lane where possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. | Reserved for buses in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mostly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
malta:
Left
uzbekistan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
uzbekistan:
Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
uzbekistan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
malta:
No
uzbekistan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malta:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
malta:
List length: 5
uzbekistan:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
malta:
Use leftmost lane.
uzbekistan:
Use the rightmost lane where possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
malta:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
uzbekistan:
Reserved for buses in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
uzbekistan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
malta:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited, mostly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
uzbekistan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
malta:
N/A
uzbekistan:
May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
malta:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Malta | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
malta:
50 km/h
uzbekistan:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malta:
50 km/h
uzbekistan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
70 km/h
uzbekistan:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malta:
70 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
70 km/h
uzbekistan:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
80 km/h
uzbekistan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malta:
80 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
80 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
uzbekistan:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Malta | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Uzbekistan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Maltese; symbols are standard | Uzbek and Russian; 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.
uzbekistan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malta:
Not used in Malta
uzbekistan:
Not used in Uzbekistan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
malta:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
uzbekistan:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
malta:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
uzbekistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Hand Signals: Common Usage
malta:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
uzbekistan:
Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
uzbekistan:
Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
uzbekistan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Malta | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
malta:
Not allowed
uzbekistan:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
uzbekistan:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Malta | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield. | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malta:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
uzbekistan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
uzbekistan:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Malta | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Generally more frequent due to local driving habits |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
malta:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
uzbekistan:
Encouraged
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
malta:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
uzbekistan:
Generally more frequent due to local driving habits
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
malta:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
uzbekistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Malta | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21 |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized |
| Enforcement: Fines | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial | Substantial, varies by severity of infraction |
Limits: Professional Drivers
malta:
0.02%
uzbekistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
uzbekistan:
0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21
Enforcement: Random Checks
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
uzbekistan:
Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized
Enforcement: Fines
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
uzbekistan:
Substantial, varies by severity of infraction
Roundabouts
| Malta | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
malta:
Signal left when preparing to exit
uzbekistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Malta | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 103 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 for emergencies | 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
malta:
112
uzbekistan:
103
Contact: Traffic Police
malta:
112 for emergencies
uzbekistan:
102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
uzbekistan:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Malta | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| 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 | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Typically around €100, points on license | Fines for using phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Typically around €100, points on license | Fines issued, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
uzbekistan:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
uzbekistan:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
uzbekistan:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
uzbekistan:
Fines for using phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
uzbekistan:
Fines issued, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
uzbekistan:
Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office
Payment: Deadline
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
uzbekistan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
malta:
Possible if fines are not paid
uzbekistan:
Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines