If you're planning to stay in Malta beyond a year, you will need a Maltese driving licence. The rules around when, how, and what documents are required differ significantly depending on where your current licence was issued — EU/EEA, UK, or rest of world. This guide covers all three routes based on official Transport Malta guidance.
Key rule: EU/EEA and UK licence holders can drive freely in Malta indefinitely on their home licence. The 12-month rule applies to non-EU/non-UK nationals: after 12 months of residence, a Maltese licence is required. The exchange (not re-test) route is available for eligible countries.
Who Can Exchange Without a Test
| Licence Origin | Can Drive Freely? | Exchange Without Test? | Deadline to Exchange |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU / EEA Member State | Yes — indefinitely | Yes | Optional (must be 185 days resident) |
| United Kingdom (incl. Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey) | Yes — 12 months | Yes (MoU signed) | After 12 months, exchange required |
| Australia | 12 months max | Yes | After 12 months |
| Switzerland | 12 months max | Yes | After 12 months |
| UAE (Maltese or UAE nationals only) | 12 months max | Yes | After 12 months |
| All other non-EU countries | 12 months max | No — must sit theory + practical test | After 12 months |
The Exchange Process (EU/UK/Australia/Switzerland)
To exchange your foreign licence for a Maltese one, you must have been legally resident in Malta for at least 185 days in the previous 12 months. This is verified through your Identity/Residence Card issue date, or via supporting documents: income tax returns, notarised rental agreements, or a letter from an educational institution confirming attendance dates.
Documents required: Application form (DRV029 from transport.gov.mt), passport-size photo, ID card or Residence Card, copy of your foreign driving licence, and the fee. The fee for a 10-year Maltese driving licence is €80 (valid 10 years, or pro-rata). Cash is not accepted at Transport Malta — card or bank transfer only.
Process: Submit documents to Transport Malta's Land Transport Directorate (Triq Pantar, Lija). Transport Malta validates the application, which may involve communication with the issuing country's authority. Once validated, you attend in person to complete the exchange and collect your new Maltese licence. Timelines vary from a few days (EU licences) to several weeks for more complex verification cases.
For Non-EU Nationals (No Exchange Agreement)
If your licence was issued by a country not on the eligible exchange list, you cannot simply swap — you must pass the Maltese driving theory test (available in English) and the practical test. The process mirrors getting a new licence from scratch: learner permit (€31, valid 3 years), theory test, practical test with an approved instructor. The total cost including lessons typically runs €400–€700 depending on the number of lessons needed. If you already drive confidently to Maltese standards (left-hand traffic, local road conditions), many candidates pass the practical test in one or two attempts.
Driving in Malta Before You Exchange
EU/EEA and UK licence holders can drive on their home licence indefinitely (EU) or for 12 months (UK). No additional permit is required. Non-EU nationals may drive for 12 months from their last entry into Malta — this is not 12 months from when they obtained residency, but from last entry, which matters if you make regular trips outside Malta. If your licence is in a non-Latin script, an International Driving Permit is recommended when renting, though it is not legally required for all rental companies.
