🪧 Road signs
The logic of sign shapes and colours, a gallery of the signs you meet most in Malta, and how to read time plates and school-day restrictions.
You do not need to memorise hundreds of signs one by one. Malta uses the European system, where shape and colour tell you the type of message before you can even read it. Learn the logic first, then the individual signs.
Shapes and colours
| Shape / colour | Type | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Red circle (red border) | Prohibition — tells you what you must NOT do | speed limit, no overtaking, no right turn |
| Blue circle | Mandatory — tells you what you MUST do | turn left, keep left, mini roundabout |
| Red triangle | Warning — a hazard ahead | roundabout, crossroads, children, traffic lights |
| Rectangle | Information — directions, one-way, parking, places | one-way, direction signs |
| Octagon (STOP) and inverted triangle (GIVE WAY) | Unique shapes so you recognise them even from behind or covered in dirt | stop, give way |
| Blue disc with red border | Stopping and waiting restrictions | no stopping, no waiting |
Gallery of common signs
| Sign | Meaning |
|---|---|
 | STOP: stop completely at the line, then give way |
 | Give way to traffic on the major road |
 | No entry for vehicular traffic |
 | No entry on school days at the times shown (except school transport) |
 | No stopping (clearway) |
 | No waiting / no parking |
 | Maximum speed 30 km/h |
 | Maximum speed 50 km/h |
 | Maximum speed 80 km/h |
 | No overtaking |
 | No U-turn |
 | No right turn |
 | No left turn |
 | Turn left (mandatory) |
 | Keep left of the obstruction/island |
 | Mini roundabout: give way to traffic from the right, go clockwise |
 | One-way traffic |
 | Roundabout ahead |
 | Crossroads ahead |
 | Traffic lights ahead |
 | Pedestrian crossing ahead |
 | Children: school or playground nearby |
 | Other danger (read the plate below) |
STOP versus GIVE WAY
At a STOP sign you must bring the car to a complete stop at the stop line — wheels not turning — even if the road is clear, then give way. A rolling "almost stop" is a fail on the test. At a GIVE WAY sign you only stop if traffic is coming; otherwise you may continue carefully.
Time plates and school-day restrictions
A rectangular plate under a sign changes or limits it: it may give times, days, distances, or exceptions. Always read the plate before deciding the sign does not apply to you.
School-zone restrictions are very common in Malta. A typical example is a No entry — on school days only, except school transport sign with two time windows, for example:
- winter timetable: 07:05–08:35 and 13:55–14:55;
- summer timetable: 07:05–08:35 and 10:55–11:55.
Outside those times, or on days when schools are closed, the road can be used normally. During the times shown, entering is an offence — and on your test it would be a serious fault.
Other plates you will meet
- Distance plates ("200 m") under a warning sign: the hazard is that far ahead.
- "Except buses", "Except for access", "Except residents": the restriction does not apply to those users.
- Arrows on a parking sign: the zone where the restriction applies starts or ends.
