Foreigners’ guide to driving in Malta
Living in Malta
Foreigners’ guide to driving in Malta
Quick answer
Foreigners can drive in Malta using a valid overseas licence, but the rules depend on where it was issued. EU and EEA licences remain valid while the licence itself is valid and can be exchanged after 185 days of residence. UK and most other non-EU licences can be used for up to 12 months from the holder’s last entry into Malta. Licences from the UK, Switzerland, Australia and the UAE can generally be exchanged; other non-EU drivers usually need to pass the Maltese driving tests. Malta drives on the left. Standard speed limits are 50 km/h in urban areas and 80 km/h elsewhere. Cars must be insured and covered by a valid annual road licence.
Can I drive in Malta on my foreign licence?
The answer depends primarily on where your licence was issued.
| Licence issued in | How long can you use it? | Can it be exchanged? |
|---|---|---|
| EU country | As long as it remains valid | Yes, after 185 days of residence |
| EEA: Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein | As long as it remains valid | Yes, after 185 days of residence |
| United Kingdom | Up to 12 months from your last entry into Malta | Yes, without retaking the driving tests |
| Switzerland | Up to 12 months from your last entry | Yes |
| Australia | Up to 12 months from your last entry | Yes |
| United Arab Emirates | Up to 12 months from your last entry | Yes, subject to Transport Malta’s eligibility conditions |
| Other non-EU country | Up to 12 months from your last entry | Normally no; you will usually need to obtain a Maltese licence |
These rules apply only while your original licence remains valid. An expired, suspended or cancelled licence does not give you permission to drive in Malta. For more information, visit the Transport Malta guide.
EU and EEA licence holders
A valid licence from another EU or EEA country is recognised in Malta. You do not have to exchange it simply because you have relocated.
You may nevertheless decide to exchange it after completing at least 185 days of residence. This can be useful if your licence is approaching its expiry date or if you would prefer to manage renewals locally.
You cannot hold two EU driving licences at the same time. When your Maltese licence is issued, you must surrender the licence being exchanged.
UK licence holders after Brexit
UK licences no longer fall under the EU recognition system. A UK licence can be used in Malta for up to 12 months from the date you last entered the country.
Malta and the UK have a reciprocal agreement, so UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man licences can be exchanged without taking a new theory or practical test. You should begin the exchange before the 12-month period expires, as you cannot legally continue driving while waiting if that period has already ended.
Other non-EU licence holders
A person holding a licence issued outside Malta and the EU may drive for up to 12 months from their last entry into Malta.
Only licences from specified countries can be exchanged. If your licence was issued elsewhere, for example, in India, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa or the United States, you will generally need to obtain a Maltese licence through the normal theory and practical testing process once the 12-month period ends.
Do not assume that having an International Driving Permit extends the validity of your national licence. It does not replace the requirement to exchange or obtain a Maltese licence.
How to exchange a foreign driving licence
You must normally have lived in Malta for at least 185 days during the 12 months before submitting your application.
Transport Malta may ask for:
- The appropriate exchange application form
- A passport photograph
- Your Maltese identity or residence card
- Evidence that you have lived in Malta for at least 185 days
- Your original driving licence
- A legal translation if the licence is not in English
- Confirmation from the issuing authority in certain cases
Evidence of residence can include employment records, tax documents, a property purchase or rental contract, or confirmation from an educational institution. Transport Malta then contacts the issuing country where necessary to validate the licence.
Once the exchange is approved, you will normally be required to surrender your original licence.
How much does a Maltese driving licence exchange cost?
The fee depends on the remaining validity of your original licence and your age.
If the original licence remains valid, the Maltese licence normally keeps the same expiry date and costs €7 for each year of validity remaining.
For an expired or nearly expired licence, Transport Malta lists:
| Applicant’s age | New licence validity | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Under 60 | 10 years | €80 |
| Between 60 and 70 | Until the year of the 70th birthday | €7 per year, plus €10 for the card |
| 70 or over | 5 years | €29.25 |
These figures were current on Transport Malta’s exchange page in July 2026, but it is sensible to check again before applying.
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
EU and EEA licence holders do not normally need an International Driving Permit to drive in Malta. Visitors carrying a standard UK photocard licence also do not generally need one when driving in the EU.
Drivers from other countries should check both Maltese requirements and the conditions imposed by their rental company or insurer. An IDP may be requested when a licence is not written in English or does not use the Roman alphabet.
An IDP should be carried together with the original national licence. It is a supporting document or translation, not a standalone driving licence, and it does not allow a resident to ignore Malta’s 12-month limit.
Important road rules in Malta
Driving side and roundabouts
Traffic drives on the left, and vehicles circulate clockwise around roundabouts.
When approaching a roundabout, give way to vehicles already on it and to traffic approaching from your right. Use the road markings and signs, as lane arrangements can differ between junctions.
Speed limits
The standard limits for passenger cars are:
- 50 km/h on urban roads
- 80 km/h on rural roads
Posted signs take priority. Many residential streets, village centres, construction zones and school areas have limits of 20, 30 or 40 km/h. Malta has no motorway network.
Alcohol
The general legal blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 grams per litre, equivalent to 0.05%. Lower limits may apply to particular categories of professional or inexperienced drivers.
The practical approach is simple: do not drink before driving. Even a small amount can affect your ability to react to Malta’s narrow roads, busy junctions and frequent stop-start traffic.
Mobile phones
Using a handheld mobile phone while driving is prohibited. Hands-free use is permitted, but it can still distract you, particularly when navigating an unfamiliar route.
Seat belts and child restraints
Seat belts are compulsory for drivers and passengers in both the front and rear seats. Children must use a suitable restraint for their age and size.
Road tax and vehicle road licences
What is commonly called road tax in Malta is officially the vehicle road licence.
The licence is valid for one year. The renewal month is determined by the first letter of the vehicle’s registration number. You can normally renew through an insurer or through Transport Malta’s online vehicle licensing service, provided that the insurance and VRT information has been entered into the system.
The amount is not a single flat fee. It depends on factors such as:
- The vehicle’s age
- Fuel type
- CO₂ emissions
- Engine and vehicle specifications
- The date on which the vehicle was first registered
For that reason, it is better to check the specific vehicle through Transport Malta rather than rely on a general online estimate.
Road licence, registration tax and VRT are different
These terms are easy to confuse:
Annual road licence: The recurring annual amount required to keep a vehicle licensed.
Registration tax: A one-off tax that may be charged when a vehicle is first registered in Malta, including when it is imported.
VRT: In everyday Maltese use, this usually means the Vehicle Roadworthiness Test, the inspection confirming that the car is safe and roadworthy.
Most private cars require periodic VRT inspections once they are more than four years old. The exact frequency depends on the vehicle’s age, mileage, category and use.
Buying or importing a car
When buying a used car already registered in Malta, the vehicle’s logbook must normally be signed by the seller, buyer and a witness. The new owner must have an insurance policy effective from the date of transfer. A €10 administrative transfer fee currently applies, excluding any other charges or new plates. Transfers can also be processed through participating insurance agencies and brokers.
Importing a vehicle is more involved. You may need the foreign registration certificate, inspection and valuation documents, insurance, customs documents, registration forms and a Certificate of Conformity or Single Vehicle Approval.
A person bringing a used vehicle to Malta for registration must generally complete the inspection and registration process within 30 days of its arrival. Registration tax, inspection, administration, number-plate and annual licence fees may all apply. Vehicles imported from outside the EU can also be subject to customs and VAT requirements.
A non-resident may keep a foreign-registered vehicle in Malta for up to seven months within a 12-month period. This should not be confused with the rules applying to someone who has relocated and become resident.
Car insurance in Malta
Third-party liability insurance is compulsory. It covers your legal liability for injuries or damage caused to other people, but not damage to your own car.
Third-party fire and theft adds protection against theft and fire, while comprehensive insurance can also cover accidental damage to your own vehicle. Premiums depend on your age, driving history, type and value of car, intended use, excess and the people insured to drive it.
Foreign drivers may be asked to provide evidence of their driving or insurance history. Obtaining several quotes is more useful than relying on a general average, particularly if you are under 25 or have not previously held insurance in your own name.
What to do after an accident
For a minor front-to-rear collision without injuries or damage to public property, move the cars if they are obstructing traffic and complete a Front-to-Rear Statement of Facts form.
The form must be signed by both drivers, and each driver should retain a copy. Take photographs before moving the vehicles where it is safe to do so, collect witness details and inform your insurer.
For other accidents:
- Call the traffic wardens on 2132 0202 for a more serious collision without injuries.
- Call 112 if anyone is injured or if state property has been damaged.
- Do not move seriously injured people, vehicles or debris unless instructed or necessary for immediate safety.
Keeping a copy of the Front-to-Rear form in your car is still advisable, as the standard procedure remains largely paper-based.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive in Malta on my UK licence?
Yes. You can use a valid UK licence for up to 12 months from your last entry into Malta. To continue driving after that, exchange it for a Maltese licence. The exchange agreement allows you to do this without retaking the theory or practical test.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Malta?
EU, EEA and standard UK photocard licence holders do not normally need one. Drivers from other countries should check the requirements for their licence and rental company, particularly where the licence is not in English or Roman script.
What is the alcohol limit for driving in Malta?
The general limit is 0.5 grams per litre of blood, or 0.05%. Lower limits may apply to some driver categories. Avoid drinking completely when you intend to drive.
Who has priority at a Maltese roundabout?
Give way to traffic already using the roundabout and to vehicles approaching from your right. Always follow the signs, traffic lights and lane markings at the individual junction.
Can I bring my own car to Malta as a non-resident?
A non-resident may generally keep a foreign-registered vehicle in Malta for up to seven months during a 12-month period. If you relocate and become resident, different import and registration obligations apply.
Is it realistic to live in Malta without a car?
Yes, particularly when you live and work in Valletta, Sliema, St Julian’s, Gżira, Msida or another well-connected central area. Buses, ferries, taxis and app-based transport can cover most daily journeys.
A car becomes more useful if you commute across the island, work irregular hours, live in a rural area or regularly travel with children. The best choice depends less on the size of Malta and more on the distance between your home, workplace and usual activities.
Driving as part of life in Malta
Driving in Malta is not particularly complicated once you become familiar with left-hand traffic, local roundabouts and the narrower village roads. The most important step is to check your licence status early rather than discovering after 12 months that you can no longer drive legally.
Confirm whether your licence can be exchanged, start the application before its validity period ends and account for the annual road licence, insurance and VRT when calculating the cost of owning a car.
Planning to relocate for work?