Short answer: Malta drives on the left. The minimum age for a car licence is 18. If your licence was issued outside Malta and the EU, Transport Malta says you may drive in Malta for no more than twelve months from the date of your last entry into Malta. After that you need a Maltese licence, either by exchange (only for some countries) or by passing the theory and practical tests.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Malta?
Left. Malta drives on the left like the UK, Ireland, India and Cyprus. Cars are right-hand drive, and roundabouts go clockwise. If you are renting, see our Malta car hire and driving tips.
Can tourists drive in Malta?
Yes. Visitors can drive on a valid licence. For a licence issued outside Malta and the EU, Transport Malta’s wording is that the holder may drive in Malta for a period not exceeding twelve months from the date of their last entry into Malta. Car hire companies set their own minimum age and licence-holding period, so check the rental terms as well. Whether an international driving permit is needed depends on your licence (for example, if it is not in English or a Latin script); confirm with your rental company.
Third-country nationals (non-EU): how long can you drive in Malta?
| Your licence | What the rules say |
|---|---|
| Issued outside Malta and the EU | Regulation 5 of S.L. 65.18: you may drive any class of vehicle your licence covers for a period not exceeding 12 months from the date of your last entry into Malta. Heavy vehicle categories (C, D and similar) also need a Certificate of Professional Competence. |
| UK (including Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man) | Under the Malta-UK MoU, UK nationals in Malta may keep using their British licence for up to 12 months from the date they last entered Malta. After that they need a Maltese licence. UK licences can be exchanged without a theory or practical test. |
Which licences can be exchanged for a Maltese one?
Regulation 7 allows exchange for a licence from another EU member state, Switzerland, or a country Malta has a mutual recognition agreement with. The Fourteenth Schedule lists those countries as Australia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom (including the Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and Northern Ireland). Transport Malta’s exchange page also names Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. India is not on the list, so an Indian licence cannot be exchanged and you take the tests.
An International Driving Permit is a different thing: Transport Malta issues one only to people with normal residence in Malta (€23.25 plus a €10 administrative charge, valid 12 months).
- Documents listed: application form, passport photo, copy of your Maltese residence permit, evidence of residence, the valid original licence, and a legal translation if the licence is not in English.
- You must have lived in Malta for at least 185 days in the preceding 12 months.
Non-EU residents: licence validity is tied to your residence permit
Transport Malta’s licence page now says that for third-country nationals, probationary licences, renewals and category inclusions are issued “according to the validity of their Residence Permit”. The fee is pro-rated to match that validity (Ninth Schedule of S.L. 65.18). EU and Maltese nationals still get the standard 10 years.
- What it means: if your residence permit runs for 2 years, a licence issued or renewed now is valid for about 2 years, not 10, and costs proportionally less.
- Code 117: a report by Expatax Malta quotes Transport Malta as saying that a licence carrying harmonised code 117 is renewed to the same date as the residence or ID card. We could not find code 117 on Transport Malta’s own page, so treat this as reported, not official.
- Renew your permit first: if your ID card or permit expires before a new one is issued, renewing the licence can be blocked. Keep both dates in your diary.
- Learner’s permit: holders of a third-country licence must complete a DRV029 declaration when applying for a learner’s permit.
Transport Malta’s rule appeared on its website in May 2026, and the older S.L. 65.18 text we read does not mention it, so confirm the effective date and how it applies to licences already issued with Transport Malta.
How to get a Maltese driving licence
- Find an instructor: a licensed motoring school or a non-licensed instructor.
- Get a learner’s permit (€23.25, valid three years). It lets you practise under instruction Monday to Saturday, not on Sundays or public holidays.
- Apply for and sit the theory test.
- Apply for the practical test once all lessons on your Student Record Sheet are done.
- Sit the driving ability test.
Minimum age for a car (category B) is 18. Motorbike ages vary: A1 and B1 are 18, A2 is 20, and A is 24 (or 22 with two years on A2). Transport Malta does not state a minimum number of lessons on the page we checked.
| Item | Fee (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Learner’s permit | 23.25 |
| Theory test | 30.25 |
| Practical test (weekday) | 23.25 |
| Practical test (Saturday) | 40.00 |
| Theory test re-sit | 22.50 |
| Probationary licence (3 years) | 21.00 + 10 admin |
| Full licence (10 years) | 70.00 + 10 admin |
These are Transport Malta’s government fees. Driving school lessons are charged separately and each school sets its own prices.
The theory test and the practical test
Theory test
You need your learner’s permit and ID card. It runs 45 minutes with 35 multiple-choice questions, and the pass mark is 30 correct answers. You receive a pass certificate, and you must have it before you can sit the practical test.
Practise free: try our Malta theory test practice quiz and mock test, built from the official Transport Malta question banks.
Practical test
- Bookings are made at the Authority’s offices, first come first served, and you are notified two or three weeks ahead.
- At least 25 minutes of road driving for categories A and B, not counting the pre-brief, checks, manoeuvres and debrief.
- Start checks: read a number plate from 20.5 metres and answer two “show and tell” safety questions.
- More than 15 minutes late cancels the test, and you pay a new fee.
- If you miss the slot you must re-apply and pay €23.25 again.
- You may be accompanied by a third person on the test, who must not speak to the examiner or influence the test. If they do, the examiner can stop the test and record a fail.
Failing is common and not a problem in itself: you can re-apply and re-sit. A good instructor who knows the test routes and the examiner’s checklist is the practical way to improve your chances.
Penalty points and probationary licence
- Pass the practical test and you get a probationary licence valid for up to three years, under the penalty point system. For non-EU nationals the validity follows the residence permit, so it can be shorter.
- With no points, or fewer than 12, you then get a full licence (ten years for Maltese and EU nationals; for non-EU nationals, tied to the residence permit).
- A full licence is revoked at 12 or more points within any 12-month period. A probationary licence is revoked at 12 or more points during the three-year period; you can re-apply only after three months and must restart the whole process.
Points are recorded by the Court of Magistrates or the Commissioners for Justice. If you admit the offence and pay under the fast procedure, the minimum points for that offence are recorded. Points go on the licence of the person who committed the offence, not on the registered owner of the car. You can see yours on the Transport Malta penalty points page.
| Offence (Sixth Schedule) | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding | 3-6 |
| Driving without a seat belt | 3 |
| Holding a mobile phone while driving or stationary in traffic (cars, motorbikes, e-scooters) | 6-9 |
| Headphones while driving | 3-6 |
| Traffic light, stop sign, double white line, prohibitory sign | 3-5 |
| Pedestrian crossing offence | 3-5 |
| Driving without insurance | 6-8 |
| Driving not in accordance with a licence | 3-6 |
| Non-renewal of driving licence or vehicle road licence | 3-6 |
| Drink or drug driving | 3-11 |
| Reckless or dangerous driving | 3-11 |
| Failing to stop after an accident | 5-10 |
Reduce your points
Anyone with a full or probationary licence can cut the recorded points by 50% by attending a Transport Malta approved safety awareness course and passing its test. The course can be taken once every two years.
If your full licence is revoked
- First time: you get a new licence after two months, without a driving test.
- Second time within three years: fresh application after two months.
- Third time within five years: fresh application after one year, or a shorter period (not under six months) if the Administrative Review Tribunal allows it.
- Fourth time within seven years: only if the Administrative Review Tribunal authorises it, and not before two years.
A court or tribunal can take your licence at the hearing if your points reach 12, but this does not take effect if you declare in writing that you will appeal or petition.
Alcohol and driving
The limits are in article 2 of the Traffic Regulation Ordinance (Cap. 65). Any one of the three measures counts:
| Driver | Breath (per 100 ml) | Blood (per 100 ml) |
|---|---|---|
| Most drivers | 22 microgrammes | 50 mg (0.5 g/l) |
| Probationary licence holders | 9 microgrammes | 20 mg (0.2 g/l) |
| Commercial vehicle drivers | 9 microgrammes | 20 mg (0.2 g/l) |
| Bus, coach, passenger-for-fee drivers | 0 | 0 |
If you hold a probationary licence (the first three years after passing the test), the lower limit applies to you. The law also lets the Minister change these limits by regulation, so check before relying on them.
Penalties under article 15H: a fine of at least €4,000 for a first conviction and at least €8,000 for a second, plus disqualification from holding or getting a licence for at least six months (one year for a repeat). Drink driving also carries 3-11 penalty points. The safest rule is not to drink and drive. Taxis and the bus network cost far less than a conviction.
Drug driving is separate: the permitted THC level is 2 microgrammes per litre of blood for most drivers.
How much are common traffic fines in Malta?
These are the fixed fines in the Second Schedule of the Traffic Regulation Ordinance (Cap. 65), the list used for tickets under article 62. Amounts are in euro.
| Offence | Fine (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Parking, waiting or stopping at a prohibited place (for example on yellow lines) | 23.29 |
| Contravening a no-entry sign | 75 |
| Speeding, up to 15 km/h over the limit | 34.94 |
| Speeding, more than 15 km/h over the limit | 100 |
| Driving through a red light (article 15J) | 200 |
| Holding or using a hand-held phone while driving or stationary in traffic (cars, vans, motorbikes, e-scooters) | 200 |
| Using an earpiece or headset in the ear closest to the window (cars, vans), or in both ears (motorbikes, e-scooters) | 200 |
| Phone or headset offences in vehicles for hire and goods vehicles | 300 |
| Obstruction, including slipways, piers and wharfs | 104.82 |
| Hindering the free flow of traffic, including blocking a bus or bus stop | 104.82 |
| Parking outside a garage that is not yours | 104.82 |
| Driving in a priority-vehicle (bus) lane | 50 |
| Overloading passengers (per extra passenger) | 50 |
| Lights not in accordance with the law | 23.29 |
| Licence not affixed to the windscreen | 23.29 |
| Failure to renew the driving licence | 34.94 |
| Failure to renew the vehicle licence | 69.88 |
| Excessive smoke from the exhaust | 46.59 |
| Non-effective silencer | 69.88 |
| Using a prohibited horn or warning device | 11.65 |
These fines are separate from penalty points. For example, speeding, a phone in hand and a red light also add points (see the points table above). Parking enforcement on controlled-parking zones, clamping and towing fall under other regulations with their own charges, so check the notice or the Local Enforcement System Agency (LESA). Fines can change by legal notice, so confirm the current amount on your ticket.
Seat belts
Under the Seat Belts Regulations (S.L. 65.12) the driver and every adult in the front or rear seat must wear a seat belt on a public road, where the seat has one. The maximum fine is €46.59 for the driver or a front-seat passenger aged 16 or over, and €23.29 for a rear-seat passenger aged 16 or over. If the passenger is under 16, the driver is responsible. The Sixth Schedule lists driving without a seat belt at 3 penalty points. Children need a child restraint matched to their weight until they are 150 cm tall (a child of 135 cm to under 150 cm may use an adult belt if no child seat is available). Children under three must be in a suitable child restraint, and an adult seat belt must not be used on them.
Driving without insurance
Third-party insurance is compulsory (Cap. 104, article 3). This is a court offence, not a ticket:
- First offence: a fine of €2,329.37 to €4,658.75, or up to three months in prison, or both.
- Second offence: €4,658.75 to €5,823.43, or up to six months in prison, or both.
- Third or later offence: €5,823.43 to €6,988.12, or up to one year in prison, or both. The owner’s vehicle is forfeited; another driver also pays a further fine equal to the vehicle’s value.
- Unless the court decides otherwise for special reasons, you are also disqualified from driving for 12 months, and the offence carries 6-8 penalty points.
- If the police ask, you must give your name and address and show your insurance certificate (or produce it at the Commissioner of Police within two days).
Clamping and towing
In a signed clamping or towing zone, or if your vehicle has no valid circulation licence on the windscreen, it can be clamped or removed (S.L. 65.13). The fees are:
| Item | Fee (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Removing a clamp | 180 |
| Release or towing, including the first 24 hours of storage | 200 |
| Storage after the first 24 hours, per day | 15 |
| Disposal of a derelict or abandoned vehicle | 2,500 |
The vehicle is not released until you pay. If it was removed for an unpaid road licence, you must also pay the licence and its administrative fee first. If you do not claim a clamped vehicle within about 24 hours, it can be removed to storage. Unclaimed vehicles can be sold at auction after a notice period. Removing a clamp yourself is an offence.
Paid-parking and resident-permit zones are run by Local Councils under separate regulations, and each zone has its own signs and rules, so read the sign.
Got a fine? How to pay, contest and appeal
How to pay
Traffic and parking contraventions can be paid online through the government contravention service at les.gov.mt, or through your Local Council. Tickets issued by the Police or Transport Malta can take up to 45 days to appear in the system, so a missing ticket does not mean there is none. Court-imposed fines can be paid online through servizz.gov.mt.
Pay the ticket on time
When an officer hands you a notice or sticks it on your windscreen, it states the penalty, where to pay and the deadline. Under the Commissioners for Justice Act (Cap. 291, article 14) that deadline is never less than seven days, and for offences on the Second Schedule of the Traffic Regulation Ordinance (Cap. 65, article 62) it is ten days. Paying counts as admitting the offence, and for road offences the minimum penalty points are then recorded. If you do not pay in time, you are summoned to the Local Tribunal. Removing a notice from a car that is not yours is itself an offence (fine €46.59).
Step 1: If you get a summons (Local Tribunal)
- The summons shows the penalty. You can still settle by paying up to three days before the hearing, and then you do not need to appear.
- If you do not appear, you are treated as admitting the charge and the Commissioner orders the penalty.
- Instead of appearing, you can send written representations or a sworn declaration contesting the charge, or appoint a representative in writing. The Commissioner must take these into account.
- If you lose and do not pay within one month of the final decision, an extra €11.65 is added.
Step 2: Petition the Petitions Board (optional, within 30 days)
You can ask the Petitions Board to cancel the case or reduce the penalty. File the petition at the Board’s registry no later than 30 days from the Tribunal judgment, with your reasons (a petition without reasons is void). You cannot petition once the penalty has been paid. The Board accepts only for strong reasons, for example:
- a clear mistake about the driver or the vehicle,
- a clear mistake that led to a wrong finding of guilt,
- humanitarian reasons,
- a charge or notice that is manifestly unjust or oppressive,
- the rules for sending the ticket by mail were not followed.
Filing the petition pauses the Tribunal proceedings. The Board acknowledges within three working days, asks the Agency or Police for comments (due within three weeks), and decides within 15 days of receiving them. If the petition is refused, a new summons is issued.
Step 3: If the Tribunal rejects you, go to the Court of Magistrates (within 30 days)
Anyone aggrieved by a Commissioner’s decision can apply to the Court of Magistrates within 30 days from the day the decision is given to have it revoked or varied. The court decides the case on its merits under the Criminal Code. That decision cannot be appealed to any other court. If the court finds the application frivolous or vexatious, it can order you to pay up to €116.47. If you were never properly served with the charge, you can instead ask the Court of Magistrates for a re-trial within 15 days of learning of the decision.
Serious offences and penalty points in court
Serious offences such as drink driving go to the Court of Magistrates directly, not the Local Tribunal. Cap. 65 gives the Attorney General the right to appeal its judgments to the Court of Criminal Appeal. A convicted driver’s own appeal rights come from the Criminal Code, with short deadlines, so get a lawyer straight away. Declaring in writing that you will appeal also stops the licence being taken at the hearing.
Driving in Gozo
The same licence rules apply in Gozo, and you cross by ferry from Cirkewwa, so a car hire may have restrictions on taking the vehicle across; ask your rental company. See Malta vs Gozo for planning.
FAQ
Can I drive in Malta on an Indian licence?
As a licence issued outside Malta and the EU, the rule is up to 12 months from the date of your last entry. India is not on the exchange list, so for long-term residence you should plan to take the Maltese tests.
Do I need to take both tests?
If your licence cannot be exchanged, yes: learner’s permit, theory test, then practical test.
What is the minimum age to drive a car?
18.
How long is a Maltese licence valid?
Learner’s permit three years. For Maltese and EU nationals, probationary licence three years and full licence ten years. For non-EU nationals, Transport Malta issues probationary licences and renewals according to the validity of the residence permit, so the licence can be shorter. See the validity section above.
Does my driving licence expire when my residence permit expires?
For non-EU nationals, new and renewed licences are issued to match the residence permit’s validity, with a pro-rated fee. Keep your permit renewed so licence renewal is not blocked.
Can I use a UK licence?
Yes for up to 12 months from last entry, then exchange without tests under the MoU. The page says the governments will keep negotiating, so terms may change.
I got a traffic fine. What are my options?
Pay it by the deadline on the notice, or wait for the summons and contest it at the Local Tribunal. After a loss you can petition the Petitions Board or apply to the Court of Magistrates, each within 30 days. See the fines section above.
If my appeal is rejected, can I go to a higher court?
For Local Tribunal cases, the Court of Magistrates decision is final under article 11 of the Commissioners for Justice Act. For serious offences, ask a lawyer about the Court of Criminal Appeal.
What if I miss my practical test?
You lose the slot and must apply and pay again.