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    Getting a Driving Licence in Malta

    September 1, 2024
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    Get the lowdown on driving in Malta - find the national highway code, what’s needed to get your Maltese driving licence and how much lessons cost.

    Driving is the most commonly used mode of transport in Malta, with most people preferring to have their own car over catching the bus or walking to their destination. If you decide that you would like to get your Maltese driving licence, here is some background information to get you prepared.

    The Basics

    First things first, Malta is one of just four countries in the European Union that drives on the left-hand side of the road, the others being the United Kingdom, Ireland and Cyprus.

    The legal driving age in Malta is 18 - this is when you can start working towards obtaining your driving licence. You can do this in one of two ways - either by getting in touch with a motoring school and taking lessons with one of their licenced instructors, or by applying for your own driving permits with a non-licenced driving instructor. For this, your non-licenced driving instructor would need to be at least 25 years old, have their own driving licence related to the same vehicle category and be covered with the necessary insurance and Transport Malta documentation.

    Getting Started

    On average, driving lessons will cost somewhere between €20 to €40 per lesson, which typically lasts for an hour. Naturally, prices will vary from one motoring school to another. How often you go is really up to you and how quickly you’d like to learn to drive. You should discuss the frequency of your lessons with your driving instructor before you start to make sure they can meet your expectations.

    A tip from Boq: The learner’s permit will cost you €23.25 to apply for - you will need to submit the relevant paperwork to your instructor, who will apply on your behalf.

    You can choose to obtain your licence by driving a manual car or an automatic one - learning to drive a manual car tends to take longer, because it requires more skill. However, it’s good to keep in mind that those who learn how to drive a manual will be able to drive an automatic but not the other way round.

    The Theory Test

    There are two parts to obtaining your driving licence. The first is the theory test, which you can sit for at any time. It is a multiple choice test made up of 35 questions - you must get at least 30 of these correct in order to pass. You can prepare for this test by studying the highway code and any other official material provided to you by Transport Malta.

    A tip from Boq: The theory test will cost you €30.25 to sit for, whilst a resit will cost you €22.50.

    The Practical Test

    When it comes to the practical test, just like with all other things, not everyone learns at the same pace, so the amount of time it will take to obtain your driving licence will differ from one person to the next. It will be up to your instructor to put you forward for the test when he feels that you are ready.

    A tip from Boq: The practical test will cost you €23.25 if you sit for it between Monday to Friday and €40.00 if you sit for it on the weekend.

    Once your instructor has applied for you, there tends to be a waiting time of a few weeks to a couple of months before you receive your test date and actually sit for it. This depends on a number of factors, such as the amount of driving test applications during that time and the number of available slots and examiners. On the practical test day, an examiner will assess your driving skills on a route that they choose. It is up to the examiner to decide what you will be tested on and it is not uncommon to be asked a couple of theory questions before getting started.

    Minor mistakes are tolerated and tallied up. To pass your practical test and become a licensed driver, you need to ensure you don’t accumulate more than 15 mistakes.

    International Driving Licences

    If you’re coming to Malta with a foreign driving licence, here’s what you need to know:

    • Non-EU licences are valid for 12 months from your last entry into Malta.
    • Licences from EU/EEA countries, Switzerland, Australia, UAE, or UK can be exchanged for a Maltese licence if you’ve been a resident for at least 185 days in the past year.
    • The exchange process involves submitting an application, proof of residency, and sometimes getting your current licence validated.

    A tip from Boq: Start the exchange process well before your 12-month period is up to ensure a smooth transition.

    Remember, while driving is popular in Malta, consider exploring other options like public transport, shared transport or walking. Whatever you choose, familiarize yourself with local rules for a safe and enjoyable journey.