Malta (MT)
Malta is a small EU island nation in the central Mediterranean — the smallest EU member state by area — celebrated for its extraordinary concentration of history (the Knights of St John, ancient megalithic temples older than Stonehenge), warm climate of 300+ sunshine days per year, English as a co-official language making it uniquely accessible for anglophone expats, a thriving iGaming and fintech sector, and a strategic location halfway between Europe and North Africa.
Driving in Malta
Licence exchange, road rules, fines, buying a car, and cycling.
Driving in Malta is an experience that requires careful adjustment, especially for EU expats who have never driven on the left. CRITICALLY: Malta drives on the LEFT — inherited from British colonial rule and never changed. This catches many EU arrivals completely off-guard and is a significant cause of accidents among new expats. The road network is heavily congested (Malta has the worst traffic per capita in the EU), roads are narrow and poorly maintained with endemic potholes, and driving standards are notoriously aggressive by northern European standards. A car is near-essential for practical daily life outside the Valletta/Sliema corridor. Allow yourself 2–4 weeks of deliberate adjustment to left-hand driving before driving regularly.
Driving Licence Exchange
EU/EEA driving licences are valid in Malta and can be used until expiry — no exchange required while the licence is valid. After expiry, renew directly via Transport Malta (transport.gov.mt). Non-EU licence holders must exchange their licence if intending to drive in Malta long-term. Bilateral exchange agreements exist with several non-EU countries — these allow direct exchange without a driving test.
EU/EEA licences are valid in Malta for their full validity period. No exchange required. When renewing, apply to Transport Malta. Note: you MUST physically adjust to driving on the LEFT — the legal validity of your licence does not prevent accidents caused by driving on the wrong side.
Even though your EU licence is valid, many expats find the combination of left-hand traffic AND Malta's chaotic, narrow roads extremely challenging initially. Consider driving conservatively for the first weeks.
UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, UAE
Countries with bilateral exchange agreements: bring your valid foreign licence, Maltese eResidence card/ID, passport, and the Transport Malta exchange application to the Vehicle Registration Directorate. No driving test required for recognised agreement countries.
UK licences post-Brexit: the UK has been removed from the automatic EU recognition list but Malta maintains its own bilateral agreement with the UK — direct exchange is available without a test. Check current agreement status at transport.gov.mt as agreements can change.
For non-EU nationals from countries without a bilateral agreement: must pass the Maltese driving theory test and practical driving test. Theory test available in English. Practical test with a Transport Malta examiner on Maltese left-hand-drive roads.
Driving schools in Malta offer refresher courses specifically for those used to right-hand traffic — strongly recommended even if you passed a driving test in another country. The practical test in Malta includes urban driving in congested conditions.
Road Rules
Urban areas: 50 km/h (some streets 30 km/h near schools). Outside built-up areas: 80 km/h. Motorway (the short Maltese motorway sections): 80 km/h. These limits are often exceeded in practice but are legally enforced with speed cameras and police patrols.
80mg/100ml blood alcohol (0.08%) — same as UK. Lower limit for professional and novice drivers: 20mg/100ml (0.02%). Malta has very strict enforcement for drink driving. Breath tests are common at roadside police checkpoints, particularly on Friday/Saturday nights.
Using a handheld mobile phone while driving is illegal. Fines apply. Hands-free is permitted. Malta Police conduct regular enforcement operations against phone use while driving.
Mandatory for all occupants in front and rear seats. Fine for non-compliance. The driver is responsible for ensuring all occupants are wearing seat belts.
Children under 3 years must be in an approved child seat in the rear. Children under 1.35m must use an appropriate child restraint. Forward-facing child seats allowed from birth if rear-facing not possible in the specific vehicle.
No formal Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Malta as of 2026. However, Valletta has a vehicle access control system — most of Valletta's historic centre is restricted to residents and authorised vehicles. Non-residents require a permit (available from Malta Transport) to enter Valletta by car. Heavy fines for unauthorised entry.
Traffic Fines (Bußgeldkatalog)
Traffic enforcement in Malta is handled by the Traffic Police and the Malta Transport Authority (TM). Fixed penalty notices (FPNs) for minor offences. Points-based system does not apply in Malta as comprehensively as in the UK — but repeated serious offences can lead to licence suspension. Speed cameras are active on several key routes.
| Offence | Fine | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding (up to 20 km/h over limit) | €35–50 | — |
| Speeding (20–30 km/h over limit) | €100–150 | — |
| Mobile phone while driving | €35–100 | — |
| Not wearing seatbelt | €35–50 | — |
| Illegal parking | €20–50 (plus possible towing — €80–150 recovery) | — |
| Running a red light | €100–200 | — |
| Drink driving (over limit) | €500–2,000+ (plus possible licence suspension) | — |
| Driving without insurance | €1,000–2,500 (very serious offence) | — |
| Unauthorized entry to Valletta control zone | €120–500 | — |
Buying a Car
The Maltese second-hand car market is significant — importing new cars is expensive due to registration tax (calculated on CO2 emissions and engine size). Most cars on the road are second-hand European imports (primarily from UK, Japan, and mainland Europe). Right-hand drive cars are common (legacy of British influence) though left-hand drive cars from Europe are also present. This is unique — Malta officially drives on the left but many cars are left-hand drive.
- 1.Search: AutoTrader Malta (autotradermalta.com), Frank Salt Auto, Facebook Marketplace Malta, or main dealers.
- 2.Inspection: have any used car inspected by an independent mechanic before purchase. Vehicle history check via the seller's VRT (vehicle registration and licensing) documents.
- 3.VRT and Duty: imported cars from outside Malta are subject to registration tax and vehicle registration tax (VRT) — calculated on engine size and CO2. New imports are particularly expensive. Buying a locally registered car avoids this.
- 4.Transfer: at Transport Malta (transport.gov.mt) — both buyer and seller attend. The V5/registration document is transferred. Pay transfer stamp duty (typically €20–50).
- 5.Insurance: arrange before driving. Minimum third-party motor insurance required.
- 6.Annual Vehicle Licence: annual road tax payment required for all vehicles.
- •Check the vehicle is not stolen (police clearance via Transport Malta)
- •Check VRT (vehicle registration certificate) matches the car
- •Check annual roadworthiness test certificate is current (required for vehicles over 3 years old)
- •Check for outstanding finance or charges on the vehicle
- •Independent mechanical inspection for used cars
Second-hand car purchase: €4,000–15,000 for a practical used car. New cars are expensive — registration tax significantly inflates prices. Insurance: €300–800/year (comprehensive). Annual Vehicle Licence (road tax): €100–250 depending on engine size and age. Fuel: €1.60–1.80/litre.
Registration, Insurance & Tax
All vehicles in Malta must be registered with Transport Malta. The vehicle registration certificate (Liċenzja tal-Vettura) must be carried in the vehicle. Annual vehicle licence renewal (road tax equivalent) is required. Vehicle inspection (roadworthiness test) is mandatory for vehicles over 3 years old — annual for older vehicles. Transport Malta: transport.gov.mt.
Third-party liability motor insurance is mandatory for all vehicles driven on Maltese roads. Driving without valid motor insurance is a serious criminal offence in Malta, with fines up to €2,500 and possible prosecution. Always carry proof of insurance. Comprehensive cover is strongly recommended. See insuranceGuide for providers.
Annual vehicle licence (road tax): paid annually to Transport Malta. Amount depends on engine size, CO2 emissions, and age. Typically €100–250/year for private cars. Zero-emission vehicles: significantly reduced annual licence fee. Electric vehicles have been incentivised by the Maltese government.
Vehicles over 3 years old require an Annual Roadworthiness Test at Transport Malta-authorised inspection centres. Test checks: lights, brakes, steering, exhaust emissions, tyres, bodywork, and safety items. If a vehicle fails, defects must be rectified and the vehicle re-tested. Driving with an expired roadworthiness test certificate is an offence in Malta.
Cycling
Cycling is a minority activity in Malta for transport purposes — the combination of hills (in central and southern Malta), extreme summer heat, minimal cycle lane infrastructure, and aggressive driving culture makes daily cycling impractical for most people. However, leisure cycling is growing and some flat coastal areas (Sliema promenade, Marsaskala seafront) are pleasant for cycling.
- •Cyclists must obey all traffic laws (stop at red lights, give way at junctions)
- •Helmets are not legally mandatory for adults but strongly recommended
- •Cycling on pavements/footpaths is not permitted
- •Lights are required when cycling at night (front white, rear red)
- •Cycling on the Maltese motorway sections is prohibited
- •Cycle early morning (before 08:00) or evening (after 18:00) in summer to avoid extreme heat
- •Use the Sliema, Gżira, and Msida waterfront routes for pleasant flat cycling
- •E-bikes are increasingly popular in Malta for overcoming the hills
- •Lime and Bird e-scooters/e-bikes available in parts of Sliema and St Julian's for short trips
- •Always lock your bicycle securely — theft is a risk in urban areas