There is an important distinction in Malta: private e-kickscooters are legal if registered and insured; shared rental e-kickscooters have been banned since March 2024. Older guides, including an earlier version of this one, blurred the two. Before buying a scooter, check the current Transport Malta registration rules.
In short: For a private e-kickscooter, Transport Malta requires inspection and registration (€10), third-party insurance and an eligible rider aged at least 16 with an AM-category entitlement. The vehicle's maximum design speed is 20 km/h. The rental ban has been in force since 1 March 2024.
E-Scooter Rules at a Glance
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 16 years old |
| Licence required | AM category or another licence with AM entitlement; check your actual licence categories |
| Registration | Required — one-time fee of €10 at Transport Malta (Paola) |
| Insurance | Required — minimum third-party liability |
| Vehicle maximum design speed | 20 km/h |
| Public-space use | Follow current route, pedestrian and road restrictions; do not assume every pavement or promenade is open to scooters |
| Shared rental fleets | Banned since 1 March 2024 |
Getting an AM Licence
The minimum riding age is 16. Transport Malta's registration guidance requires AM-category entitlement; a car licence may include it, but check the categories actually printed on your licence rather than relying on an assumption. Its published theory-test fee is €31. See the current process and documents before applying.
Registration Process
Transport Malta asks owners to bring the e-kickscooter to its Technical Unit in Paola for inspection, then complete registration and third-party insurance. The stated registration fee is €10. Ask about eligibility before buying an imported model: a scooter that exceeds the 20 km/h design-speed limit may not qualify. A 2026 grant of up to €150 for a new e-kickscooter is also listed by Transport Malta; check its conditions and remaining availability.
Why You No Longer See Rental Scooter Fleets
The government announced the shared e-kickscooter ban in 2023, and it took effect on 1 March 2024. The previous version of this article described operator fees as though fleets were still running. That was outdated. The ban does not mean every privately owned scooter is illegal.
Where You Cannot Ride
Do not treat a pavement, promenade or main road as automatically scooter-permitted. Road classification, local restrictions and pedestrian priority matter. Plan a lawful route before setting off, especially where a direct road is an arterial route. If the route looks unsuitable, Malta's bus network may be the simpler choice.