Country requirements · Malta
Do you need an International Driving Permit to drive in Malta?
Short answer
An International Driving Permit is recommended for Malta and required if your national licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet. Malta drives on the left, a legacy of British rule; visitors can use a valid foreign licence, with an IDP advised for non-Latin-script holders. Malta follows the Both standard, so your permit must be issued in that format. At rental desks operated by Hertz, Enterprise, Alamo, Budget, Avis and Sixt, a valid IDP is a standard counter requirement for foreign licences; arriving without one can mean a refused booking or a lost deposit. Malta drives on the left and the minimum rental age is typically 18+, with a young-driver surcharge usually applied under 25. Carry your IDP together with your original national licence and passport at all times — the permit is a certified translation and never replaces your licence.
Sourced from the 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna Conventions and rental-network policies
Malta at a glance
IDP requiredRecommended
Accepted formatBoth
Minimum age to rent18+ (surcharge under 25)
Drive on theLeft-hand side
Carry alongsideYour national licence + passport
CurrencyEUR
Top speed limit80 km/h open roads (no motorways)
Emergency number112
Driving in Malta
What the rules require
When do you need an IDP in Malta?
Malta drives on the left, a legacy of British rule; visitors can use a valid foreign licence, with an IDP advised for non-Latin-script holders. The permit is a recognised translation of your licence and is presented together with the original.
Does renting a car in Malta require an IDP?
An IDP helps non-EU and non-Latin-script drivers at Maltese desks. Having your permit ready avoids losing your reservation at the counter.
Driving rules in Malta you should know
- Drive on the left.
- Seatbelts mandatory; phone use banned.
- 0.05% alcohol limit.
- Narrow roads and aggressive local driving.
How long is an IDP valid in Malta?
Malta honours both the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention formats. A 1949-format IDP is valid for up to 1 year; a 1968-format IDP can be valid for up to 3 years, or until your national licence expires. If you travel regularly, the validity clock starts on the issue date, not on first use — so order close to your departure to maximise usable time.
Documents checklist for driving in Malta
- Your original national driving licence — the IDP is a translation and is never valid on its own.
- Your International Driving Permit, in the Both format Malta recognises.
- Your passport or accepted national ID for police checks and rental pick-up.
- For rentals: the credit card used for the booking and your rental agreement (it covers the registration and insurance papers).
- Local currency or a card for road costs — Malta uses the EUR.
Malta · common questions
01
Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in Malta?
Visitors can usually drive in Malta on a valid foreign licence, but an IDP is required if your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet and is recommended for car rental. Malta drives on the left, a legacy of British rule; visitors can use a valid foreign licence, with an IDP advised for non-Latin-script holders.
02
Which IDP format does Malta accept, and how long is it valid?
Malta honours both the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention formats. A 1949-format IDP is valid for up to 1 year; a 1968-format IDP can be valid for up to 3 years, or until your national licence expires. Your document is prepared in exactly that convention booklet format.
03
Do I need an IDP to rent a car in Malta?
An IDP helps non-EU and non-Latin-script drivers at Maltese desks. The minimum rental age in Malta is typically 18+, and most agencies apply a young-driver surcharge under 25. Bring your IDP, your original national licence, your passport and the credit card used for the booking.
04
Which side of the road does Malta drive on?
Malta drives on the left-hand side of the road. Drive on the left.
05
What is the drink-driving limit in Malta?
0.05% alcohol limit. Penalties for exceeding the limit as a foreign driver can include on-the-spot fines, vehicle impoundment and invalidated rental insurance — if in doubt, don't drive after drinking.
06
What is the speed limit in Malta?
The maximum for cars on the fastest road class in Malta is 80 km/h open roads (no motorways). Limits drop in built-up areas and on secondary roads, and posted signs always take precedence — speed enforcement against foreign drivers commonly arrives as a fine charged through your rental company.
07
What is the emergency number in Malta?
Dial 112 in Malta. From any GSM mobile phone, 112 also connects to local emergency services in most countries even without a local SIM. After an accident, stay at the scene, secure it (use your warning triangle where required) and notify your rental company before any repairs.
08
What documents should I carry while driving in Malta?
Carry your original national driving licence, your International Driving Permit, your passport (or national ID where accepted), and the vehicle's registration and insurance papers (your rental agreement covers these for hire cars). The IDP is a translation of your licence and is never valid on its own.
09
Is an IDP the same as a driver's licence in Malta?
No. An IDP is an official multilingual translation of your existing licence in the United Nations convention format — it does not grant driving privileges by itself and must always be presented together with your valid national licence. Note that some countries issue official government IDPs only through authorized bodies (in the US, AAA and AATA).
10
How long does it take to get an IDP for Malta?
With International Driver Licence you receive your digital IDP by email in as fast as 8 minutes — a printable 16-page convention-format PDF booklet plus a QR-verifiable wallet card you can keep on your phone. That makes it practical even if you're already at the airport or the rental counter.
Driving in Malta on a foreign licence
100% money-back guarantee
Full refund if your permit is ever declined.
Unlimited replacements
Lost or damaged? Re-download or reprint, free.
24/7 support
Help before and during your trip, any hour.