Driving in Malta

While driving there has many similarities to driving in the UK, you still need to make sure you’re fully prepared if you’re planning a road trip around Malta. 

To make your trip to the island as safe and effortless as possible, we’ve put together a guide to everything you need to know before you go, from required documents to rules of the road.  

Driving a rented vehicle? Jump to the advice for driving a hire car in Malta section.

RAC European Breakdown Cover (Basic and Comprehensive) provides a wide range of benefits should you breakdown in Malta to ensure you stay safe. 

To supplement this, RAC also offers travel insurance. Cover will include medical expenses, baggage, personal money and belongings, among many other benefits.

• A valid, full UK driving licence (you must also be 18 or over)
• Your motor insurance certificate
• The V5 registration document for your own car or the hire car paperwork for a rental

Do I need a GB or UK sticker for driving in Malta?

From 28th September 2021, the distinguishing mark (or national identifier) displayed on vehicles registered in the United Kingdom that are driven abroad will change from GB to UK.  

This means that vehicles registered in the UK must display the letters “UK” when driven in Malta.   

In Malta, the sticker must be visible no matter what is on your number plate.

Do I need an insurance green card?

From 2nd August 2021, drivers will no longer require an insurance green card for taking their vehicles to Malta.

Aside from the documents above, there are some legally-required items you must bring with you to drive in Malta.

Unless your headlights can be adjusted, it's a legal requirement to carry headlamp converters (stickers for your headlights when driving on the right, so your lights don't dazzle motorists coming the other way).

A warning triangle is also compulsory to carry in vehicles in case of a breakdown.

It's also recommended to have:

• Spare bulbs for your car's external lights
• A fire extinguisher 
• A first-aid kit
• A reflective jacket

You can pick up all the car kit you need from RAC Shop.

Is there anything that I shouldn’t take with me?

Be aware that you cannot take the following with you into Malta:

• meat or products containing meat
• milk or dairy products

You cannot take the following unless you pay to have them inspected before you leave and get a ‘phytosanitary certificate’:

• fresh fruit (apart from bananas, coconuts, dates, pineapples and durians)
• vegetables
• plants
• plant products

• Wear a crash helmet if you're riding a motorcycle
• Ensure your car is covered by third-party insurance recognised in Malta. This is the legal minimum cover for residents and visitors, so check with your provider before you travel
• Like in the UK, you drive on the left and overtake on the right in Malta. Priority should be given to public transport and emergency vehicles 
• You shouldn't use your horn in built-up areas between 11pm-6am
• You won’t be given an on-the-spot traffic fine in Malta, but if you’re caught committing a motoring offence for which a fine is payable, you should settle this before you leave
• Seat belts must be worn in all seats where a belt is available
• Children under the age of 3 must use a suitable child restraint. Children aged 3-10 should use one where available but can use an adult seat belt if not
• The drink-drive limit in Malta is 0.08% - the same as the UK limit. A breath test is compulsory after an accident that has caused injury or when a driver has committed a serious motoring offence

In built-up areas, the speed limit is usually 50km/h unless otherwise signposted and 80km/h outside these areas. There are no motorways in Malta

• There are no toll roads in Malta
• Unleaded petrol and diesel are readily available throughout Malta, but you can’t get LPG. There are automatic petrol pumps that you can operate with a credit card
• Local drivers don't usually indicate when changing lanes
• You’ll find parking meters valid for up to 2 hours’ parking on Malta’s major streets. Vehicles causing an obstruction can be towed away and, in some cases, wheel clamps may be used
• If you're bringing your own car to Malta, you'll need a permit to enter the capital Valletta - or you can use the park and ride service

In an emergency

112 - Here's a really important bit of knowledge; you can dial 112 from anywhere in Europe and an operator will connect you to an emergency service in the country you're visiting.

Operators can answer your call in their native language, English or French.

Breaking down in Malta

RAC offers great-value, flexible RAC European breakdown cover tailored to meet your needs. We also offer comprehensive travel insurance, including cover for medical expenses, baggage, personal money and belongings.

Not all of the information in the guide above will be relevant to those looking to rent a hire car in Malta.

Though it might be a good idea to read through everything anyway, here are the most important things to know for drivers of rental vehicles:

Rental information

• The minimum age to hire a car is 21, although those under 25 may face a surcharge
• You need a full, valid UK driving licence and usually a second proof of ID (passport)
• Car rental companies ask that you have held your licence for a minimum term of 2 years
• Leading providers may require you  to use a credit card for deposit
• You may not be able to drive outside of Malta unless planned in advance - check with your hire company first
• Make sure you get car hire excess insurance before your trip to protect yourself from unexpected costs. It's almost always cheaper to do this with a separate insurer and in advance

Hire car driving tips

• The Maltese drive on the left, like the UK
• In built-up areas, the speed limit is usually 50km/h unless otherwise signposted and 80km/h outside these areas. There are no motorways in Malta
• Dial 112 in an emergency
• It’s compulsory to wear seat belts in the front and rear seats
• The blood alcohol content limit for drivers of private vehicles is 0.08%. That's the same as  the 0.08% in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but the higher than in Scotland.

Fuel

Fuel prices in Malta can be found in our up-to-date European fuel prices page.

UK Government travel advice

See up-to-date travel advice