Road rules and safety - Malta

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The use of seat belts and child restraint systems is MANDATORY (Directive 91/671/EEC as amended). The use of seat belts is not compulsory for the following persons:

  • the driver of or a passenger in a motor vehicle constructed or adapted for the delivery or collection of goods or mail when carrying out local rounds of deliveries or collections
  • driver reversing or manoeuvring the motor vehicle for a short distance in a limited space
  • qualified driver and supervising the holder of provisional learning licence when the holder is performing any manoeuvre mentioned in the previous point
  • driver in possession of a certificate of medical exemption
  • member of the Police Force or of the Prison Service while protecting or escorting persons
  • driver in the service of a fire brigade and wearing operational clothing or equipment
  • medical officer or an attendant whilst attending to patients travelling in any ambulance
  • driver conducting a driving competence test
  • disabled person who is wearing a disabled person’s belt or a disabled person who is unable to use a standard belt
  • driver of a licensed taxi or car for hire while carrying passengers for hire
  • Red and amber signal indicate an impending change from the red signal to green signal and convey the same prohibition as the red signal
  • Green signal indicates that vehicle may proceed straight, or turn to the left or to the right
  • Amber signal indicates an impending change from the green signal to the red signal and conveys the same prohibition as the red signal

Motorcycles
Vehicles below 3.5 t

Standard speed limits (unless otherwise stated by traffic signs) [km/h]

Urban roads
Non-urban roads
Motorways/expressways

Passenger cars & vans
Vehicles below 3.5 t

Standard speed limits (unless otherwise stated by traffic signs) [km/h]

Urban roads
  • Passenger cars
Non-urban roads
  • Passenger cars
Motorways/expressways
  • Passenger cars
Urban roads
  • Vans
Non-urban roads
  • Vans
Motorways/expressways
  • Vans

Passenger cars & vans with trailers
Vehicles below 3.5 t

Standard speed limits (unless otherwise stated by traffic signs) [km/h]

Urban roads
Non-urban roads
Motorways/expressways

Heavy goods vehicles
over 3.5 t

Standard speed limits (unless otherwise stated by traffic signs) [km/h]

Urban roads
Non-urban roads
Motorways/expressways

Buses

Standard speed limits (unless otherwise stated by traffic signs) [km/h]

Urban roads
Non-urban roads
Motorways/expressways
0,8 g/l

Standard drivers

0,8 g/l

Novice drivers

0,8 g/l

Professional drivers

Forbidden drugs

THC (cannabis)

Methylamphetamine

MDMA (ecstasy)

Maltese Law does not specify any particular drugs but the Traffic Regulation Ordinance defines ‘drug’ as including any intoxicant other than alcohol.

  • Where the inner lane of a carriageway is indicated as a priority vehicle lane, it may only be used by public transport vehicles (excluding self-drive vehicles), horse-driven cabs (Karozzin), bicycles, motorcycles, fire engines, ambulances, salvage and rescue vehicles and any other vehicles on priority duty
  • A priority vehicle lane is indicated by means of a priority vehicle sign indicating the types of vehicle allowed to use the lane and the period of operation of the priority vehicle lane
  • A person driving a vehicle that is not listed above may only drive along a priority vehicle lane in case of emergency
BicyclesThe use of helmet is mandatory for power assisted pedal cycles and for children under 10 travelling pillion in a safety seat.
Two-wheel vehicles of category L1e (mopeds)
Two-wheel vehicles of categories L3e, L4e (motorcycles with/without a sidecar)
Motor tricycles of categories L2e, L5e (light and heavy tricycles)
Motor quadricycles of categories L6e, L7e (light and heavy quadricycles)
Use of mobile phone without hand-free set
Use of mobile phone with hand-free set
Safety equipment for carsCars for hire must be equipped with fire extinguishers, warning breakdown triangle and first aid kit.
Safety equipment for cyclistReflective jacket (in the dark only)
Helmet for children under 10 travelling pillion in a safety seat
Front and rear lamps and rear reflectors (in the dark only)
Racing bicycles are normally exempted from the obligations mentioned above unless used at night

Disclaimer

This content on road safety and traffic rules is provided by the national authorities according to Article 8(1) of Directive (EU) 2015/413/EU. The European Commission does not assume liability for this content or its accuracy. For the most accurate and up-to-date information check national websites, where you can also find information on other national rules covering time-based charges (vignettes), emission stickers and road tolls.

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Road rules and safety

Last checked: 12/06/2023
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