🛣️ Road markings
What yellow and white lines, coloured parking bays, zig-zags, yellow boxes, chevrons and painted islands mean in Malta, and which ones you must never drive over.
Road markings give orders and warnings just like signs, and you can see them even when signs are hidden. In Malta several markings are on the instructor's list of "once and you fail" mistakes, so learn them well.
Yellow lines along the kerb
| Marking | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Double yellow line | No waiting or parking at any time. |
| Single yellow line | No parking. A brief stop to let passengers in or out is generally tolerated, but you must not leave the car. |
Parking bays
| Bay | Who may park |
|---|---|
| White bay | Anyone (general parking), subject to any signs. |
| Blue bay | Residents with a permit during the hours shown on the sign; others outside those hours. |
| Green bay | Residents with a permit only, at all times. |
| Yellow bay / marked "LOADING", "BUS", "TAXI", disabled symbol | Only the vehicles or users indicated. |
White lines in the road
- Broken (dashed) centre line — separates the two directions. You may cross it to overtake or turn if it is safe.
- Longer dashes, shorter gaps — a hazard warning line: a bend, junction or crest is coming. Do not cross unless you can see the road is clear well ahead.
- Continuous white line — you must not cross or straddle it, and you must not overtake across it.
- Continuous + broken line side by side — you may cross only if the broken line is on your side.
- Lane lines — divide lanes in the same direction. On a two-lane road, keep to the left lane unless overtaking or turning right.
- Stop line (thick continuous line at a STOP sign or lights) — stop with the front of the car behind it.
- Give-way line (double broken line, often with a triangle painted on the road) — give way to traffic on the major road.
Zig-zag lines at zebra crossings
White zig-zags on both sides of a zebra crossing mean no stopping, no parking and no overtaking in that area. They keep the view of pedestrians clear. Approaching a zebra, cover the brake and check your mirrors.
Yellow box junction
Do not enter the yellow box unless your exit road or lane is clear. The only exception: you may enter and wait when you want to turn right and are stopped only by oncoming traffic (or by other vehicles waiting to turn right).
Chevrons, hatched areas and painted islands
- Hatched area with a broken border — separates traffic; avoid entering it unless necessary and safe.
- Chevrons or hatching with a continuous border — you must not enter it except in an emergency. These are common at segregated left-turn lanes on roundabouts.
- Painted islands and painted mini-roundabout centres — treat them as if they were raised kerbs.
Other markings
- Yellow transverse bars on roundabout approaches, getting closer together — slow down.
- "BUS" / "BUS LANE" painted on the road — a lane reserved for buses and the vehicles signed (cabs, bicycles, motorcycles, emergency vehicles).
- Arrows in lanes — get in the correct lane early for your direction.
- "SLOW" / "SCHOOL" words — reduce speed and watch for children.
