Can I drive in Malta with my foreign licence?

EU/EEA licence holders can drive in Malta indefinitely on their existing licence — no exchange is required unless they want a Maltese licence. Non-EU nationals who establish residence in Malta must exchange their foreign licence for a Maltese one within 12 months. During the 12-month window, their foreign licence is valid for driving in Malta.

How do I exchange my driving licence in Malta?

Apply to Transport Malta. For eligible countries, the exchange is administrative (no test required). You surrender your foreign licence and receive a Maltese equivalent. The process involves an application form, your valid foreign licence, proof of Maltese residence, and a fee (approximately €23 for the licence card). Processing typically takes 4–8 weeks.

Which countries can exchange their licence without a test?

EU/EEA licences exchange directly. For non-EU countries, Transport Malta maintains a list of countries whose licences are accepted for direct exchange. Countries currently on Malta's equivalent list include the UK, USA (some states), Canada, Australia, and others. For countries not on the list, a practical and/or theory test may be required. Verify the current list with Transport Malta.

Does Malta drive on the left?

Yes. Malta drives on the left, the same as the UK, Ireland, Australia, and Japan. If you are coming from a right-driving country (most of continental Europe, the USA), you will need to adjust to left-side driving and right-hand-drive vehicles.

Driving Licence in Malta: Exchange and Rules for Expats 2026

EU licence holders can drive freely in Malta. Non-EU licence holders must exchange their licence within 12 months of establishing residence. This guide covers the process, documents, fees, and driving rules.

Official SourceLast updated 9 June 2026

Who can drive freely on a foreign licence?

Licence type	Rules in Malta
EU/EEA licence	Valid in Malta indefinitely — no exchange required (but can exchange if preferred)
UK licence (post-Brexit)	Valid for 12 months after establishing residence — then must exchange
Non-EU licence from recognised equivalent country	Valid for 12 months — then exchange required
Non-EU licence from non-recognised country	Valid for 12 months — then test required for Maltese licence

Transport MaltaLast verified: 2026-06-09. Verify the current list of recognised countries at transport.gov.mt.

Documents needed for licence exchange

Completed Transport Malta application form
Valid foreign driving licence (original — it will be surrendered)
Valid passport or identity card
Maltese residence permit
Proof of Maltese address (registered lease or utility bill)
Passport-sized photo
Medical certificate (if required for certain licence categories)
Application fee (approx. €23)

Malta driving rules for new arrivals

Drive on the left. This is the most important adjustment for arrivals from right-side-drive countries.
Seat belts: Mandatory for all occupants.
Speed limits: 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on regional roads, 90 km/h on expressways. Speed limits are enforced with cameras.
Mobile phone use: Handheld use while driving is illegal.
Blood alcohol limit: 80 mg/100ml (same as UK). Lower limit applies to new drivers in the first two years.
Parking: Very limited in Sliema, St Julians, and Valletta. Pay-and-display zones are widespread. Illegal parking is common but fines and clamps do happen.
Road condition: Maltese roads range from decent main roads to very narrow village streets. Potholes are common. GPS navigation is strongly recommended — road numbering is inconsistent.

Roundabouts in Malta

Malta uses UK-style roundabouts (give way to traffic on the right, i.e., already in the roundabout). If you are from a country where the vehicle entering has priority, this is a critical difference. Roundabout confusion is a common cause of accidents for new arrivals.

Getting a new Maltese licence from scratch

If your home country is not on the Transport Malta equivalent list and your licence has expired, or if you have never had a licence, you will need to go through the Maltese full licence process:

Obtain a learning licence from Transport Malta.
Complete the mandatory theory test.
Complete driving lessons with a licensed Malta driving school.
Pass the practical driving test.

Driving schools in Malta operate in English. Theory test preparation materials are available in English. Expect the full process to take 3–6 months from scratch.

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Maintained by MaltaPathway

This guide is written from public official sources and labelled limitations. MaltaPathway is independent, not a law firm or government agency. Founder proof, source policy, correction policy, and monetization disclosure live on the About and trust page.

Sources

Official SourceDriving Licences in Malta — Transport MaltaVerified 9 Jun 2026

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MaltaPathway is not a law firm, immigration consultancy, or government agency. The information on this page is based on publicly available official sources and is provided for informational purposes only. Immigration rules change — always verify with the relevant authority before making decisions. If your case is complex, consult a licensed immigration lawyer.