Transport Malta Driving Theory Test cheat sheet

Sign shapes: red-bordered triangle = warning; red-bordered circle = prohibition; blue circle = mandatory instruction; blue rectangle or square = information or direction.

STOP is the only octagonal sign and requires a complete stop at the stop line; Give Way is an inverted triangle and requires yielding to priority traffic.

A red circle with a white horizontal bar means no entry; a red circle with a diagonal bar over a symbol generally shows where a restriction ends.

Traffic lights: red = stop; amber = stop unless you are too close to stop safely; green = proceed only if the junction or crossing is clear.

A continuous white line must not be crossed except where permitted by law; a broken white line may be crossed when safe and visibility is adequate.

Yellow edge lines indicate parking restrictions; the accompanying plates or signs state the days and times, so do not rely on the line alone.

Zebra crossing markings give pedestrians priority once they are on the crossing; parking or stopping on the crossing is prohibited.

Lane arrows show the direction you must take from that lane; hatched areas bordered by solid lines should not be entered except in an emergency.

Speed-limit signs are red circles with black numerals; a grey diagonal bar across the sign indicates the end of that limit.

Malta drives on the left. At roundabouts traffic travels clockwise and you give way to traffic approaching from your right unless signs or markings indicate otherwise.

Default limits: 50 km/h in built-up areas and 80 km/h outside built-up areas, unless a sign shows a different limit.

Overtake on the right in normal left-hand traffic; overtake only with a clear road, sufficient gap, and no continuous line or sign prohibiting it.

Seat belts are compulsory for front and rear occupants; children under 150 cm must use an approved child restraint, and a rear-facing seat must not be used in front of an active airbag.

Blood-alcohol limits: 0.05% for most drivers; 0.02% for novice drivers and professional drivers.

Hand-held mobile phone use while driving is prohibited; even hands-free use must not distract you from control of the vehicle.

At an unmarked junction, give way to traffic approaching from your right; at a signed junction, obey the sign or marking.

Give way to emergency vehicles using lights or sirens, but do not mount the pavement, run a red light, or create another danger.

Pedestrians on a zebra crossing have priority; do not overtake a vehicle that has stopped at a crossing.

Dry-road following rule: at least two seconds behind the vehicle ahead; double it to four seconds or more in rain, and increase further in fog, ice, or at night.

Choose a speed that lets you stop within the distance you can see to be clear, especially on blind bends, crests, and narrow roads.

Use dipped headlights at night and in poor visibility; use main beam only when it will not dazzle oncoming drivers or vehicles ahead.

Fog lights are for seriously reduced visibility; switch them off when visibility improves to avoid dazzling other drivers.

Before changing lane or direction, use mirrors and a shoulder check to cover blind spots; signal in good time and act only when clear.

If a skid starts, ease off the accelerator, avoid harsh braking, and steer smoothly in the direction you want the front of the car to go.

Tiredness reduces reaction time; stop in a safe place and rest rather than relying on open windows, music, or caffeine to continue.

Give cyclists and motorcyclists extra room, especially in wet weather or when they may need to avoid drain covers and potholes.

At night, do not overdrive your headlights: the lit distance must be enough for you to stop if an unlit hazard appears.

Car tyre legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread and around the entire circumference.

Check tyre pressures when cold and use the manufacturer’s figures; adjust for heavy loads and check the spare.

Check lights, indicators, brake lights, and reflectors regularly; clean lenses and replace failed bulbs before driving.

Brake fluid should stay between the minimum and maximum marks; a spongy pedal, warning light, or falling level needs immediate attention.

Check engine oil, coolant, and screenwash with the vehicle on level ground; use the correct specification and do not overfill.

Carry a warning triangle and place it behind a broken-down vehicle where approaching traffic can see it, without putting yourself in danger.

Secure loads and do not exceed the roof or payload limit; an unsecured load can shift, affect braking, or fall into the road.

Before a journey check tyres, lights, brakes, mirrors, seat position, and fuel; these checks prevent most common breakdown causes.

Carry or have readily available your driving licence, vehicle registration certificate, insurance certificate, and valid VRT certificate.

Third-party motor insurance is compulsory; driving without it is a criminal offence and can lead to fines, disqualification, and vehicle seizure.

Private cars in Malta are first VRT-tested at four years, then every two years until ten years, and annually after ten years.

Tell the licensing authority promptly about a change of name or address on your licence and vehicle registration.

Penalty points and fines attach to traffic offences; accumulating the legal threshold or committing certain serious offences can lead to disqualification.

After a collision, stop, exchange names, addresses, and insurance details, and report to the police where injury or significant damage occurs.

Insurance can be invalidated by false information, undisclosed modifications, or using the vehicle for an undeclared purpose.

A Green Card is generally not required for travel within the EU/EEA, but check the insurer’s cover for any non-EU country on your route.

Vehicle excise licence (road tax) must be valid and recorded as required; using an untaxed vehicle can lead to penalties.

The emergency number in Malta is 112 for police, ambulance, and fire; state your location, the number of casualties, and the hazards.

DR ABC: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation. Check for danger first, then assess response, open the airway, check breathing, and assess circulation.

Adult CPR: 30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths, compressions at 100–120 per minute in the centre of the chest, about 5–6 cm deep.

If an unconscious casualty is breathing normally and has no suspected spinal injury, place them in the recovery position and monitor breathing.

Control severe bleeding with firm direct pressure using a clean dressing or clothing; call 112 and do not remove an embedded object.

Cool burns with running water for about 20 minutes; do not burst blisters or remove clothing stuck to the burn.

At a collision scene, switch off engines, warn other traffic, call 112, and do not move injured people unless there is immediate danger such as fire.

For a vehicle fire, stop, switch off the ignition, get everyone out and away, call 112, and do not open the bonnet if the fire is in the engine bay.

Use hazard warning lights to warn traffic of a breakdown; place a warning triangle if safe, and keep yourself and passengers away from the carriageway.