RoadVisa Beta

How to get a driving licence in Malta

Getting a car licence from scratch, country by country.

Car licence, category B

Getting your licence in Malta

Theory questions, in 45 minutes35
Pass mark30 correct
Theory test fee€30.25
Driving test fee (€40 on Saturdays)€23.25
Driving on the road during the test25+ min

Cash isn't accepted at Transport Malta.

Before you start driving

2
Learner's permitYes (€23.25), valid 3 years. Drive with your instructor and L plates, except on Sundays and public holidays.
Medical checkYes. A medical fitness test by a doctor, submitted online.

Required lessons

1
InstructorA licensed motoring school, or a private instructor aged 25+ with 5+ years' experience. A school must teach every lesson on the student record sheet before you apply for the test.

Good to know

8
Minimum age18 for category B.
Licence validityA 3-year probationary licence, then a full licence for 10 years.
Exam languagesThe theory question bank is published in English and Maltese. Free reading help is available for those who need it.
If you failApply and pay for a new test.
Automatic or manualPassing in an automatic limits your licence to automatic cars.
New driversA 3-year probationary licence: 12 or more penalty points revoke it, and you start the whole process again.
Already have a licence from abroad?EU and EEA licences stay valid. UK, Swiss, Australian and UAE licences can be exchanged. Others are valid for 12 months from your last entry, then you take the Maltese tests. See the Abroad tab.
Also worth knowing
  • Arrive on time: more than 15 minutes late counts as a no-show, and you pay again.

Step by step

  1. Learner's permitApply online with the medical test and fee.
  2. LessonsWith a motoring school or private instructor.
  3. Theory testAt Pietà, or fortnightly in Gozo.
  4. Driving testApply with form DRV022. Includes 2 safety questions and reading a number plate at 20.5 m.
  5. Probationary licence3 years, then a full licence.

Tips From driving schools and examiners

  • You fail with 1 serious fault, 1 dangerous fault, or 16 or more minor faults. Repeating the same minor fault can also be counted as serious.
  • The 2 safety questions are one 'show me' and one 'tell me'. A general answer is usually enough.
  • You do 2 manoeuvres, one of them in reverse: reverse parking (90° or parallel), a straight reverse, the turn in the road or an emergency stop.
  • Arrive 15 minutes early to adjust the seat and mirrors. Interpreters aren't allowed in the driving test: the examiner speaks Maltese or English.
  • Check the car before the day: L plates front and back, road tax, insurance for tests, and no space-saver spare tyre.

Based on: Transport Malta: Standard operating procedures for driving examiners, instructors and candidates (PDF) ↗

Official links

Transport Malta: Obtaining your driving licence ↗Transport Malta: Exchange your foreign driving licence ↗Last checked 20 Oct 2026
Wrong information? Help us fix itTell us what's incorrect and we'll check it against the official sources.

About: This page

Frequently asked questionsCoverage, sources and how RoadVisa works.

Why isn't my country listed?

RoadVisa is still growing. It covers 42 countries and all 50 US states plus Washington, D.C. so far, and more are added step by step. Each country is checked against its own official sources, in its own language, before it goes live.

Why isn't Africa covered?

Many African licensing authorities publish little detail about their driving rules online, so we can't yet check the answers against official sources. We'll add African countries as official information becomes available.

Where does the information come from?

From official sources only: licensing authorities, ministries, police and government websites, read in each country's own language. Every answer links to its sources and shows when it was last checked.

What's the difference between Visiting and Moving?

Visiting covers short stays such as holidays and business trips, when you keep your home licence. Moving covers becoming a resident, when most countries want you to exchange your licence or take tests by a deadline.

What is an International Driving Permit?

A translation of your licence in a standard format. It's only valid together with your own licence, and you get it in the country that issued your licence, usually from a motoring club or the licensing authority. RoadVisa tells you when a country expects one.

Does RoadVisa cover motorcycles or trucks?

Not yet. The answers are about car licences: category B in Europe, and the local equivalent elsewhere, such as Class C or D in most US states. Other licences may follow later.

Is RoadVisa official?

No. RoadVisa is an independent guide and isn't linked to any government or licensing authority. The authority that handles your application always has the final word.

Is RoadVisa free?

Yes, RoadVisa is free to use.

I found a mistake. What should I do?

Use "Wrong information? Help us fix it" above. We check every report against the official sources and correct the answer.

About RoadVisa and disclaimerWho we are, and how to use this information.

An independent guide. RoadVisa is a private project. It is not run by, linked to or approved by any government, licensing authority (such as a national road traffic agency or a US DMV), embassy or driving school.

Information only, not legal advice. RoadVisa sums up official rules in plain English. It does not replace the official rules, and it is not a decision about your case. Only the authority that handles your application can decide that.

Rules change. Every answer shows when it was last checked and links to the official source. Check that source before you drive, book a test, move or apply. If RoadVisa and the official source differ, follow the official source.

Your situation matters. The answer can depend on your residence status, licence category, age and when your licence was issued. If you're unsure, ask the licensing authority or your embassy.

Car hire and insurance. Car hire companies and insurers can set their own rules, for example asking for an International Driving Permit even where it isn't required. Check with them too.

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