Ireland licence Malta

Driving in Malta with a Ireland license

Short answer: you can drive in Malta with a Ireland license; an International Driving Permit is recommended and is carried alongside your Ireland license.

IDP recommended

An International Driving Permit is recommended (not strictly required) for Ireland licence holders driving in Malta. Your Ireland licence is in the Roman alphabet, but an IDP removes any doubt at rental desks and roadside checks. Carry both.

Convention basisMalta uses the format of the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.

At the rental deskAn IDP helps non-EU and non-Latin-script drivers at Maltese desks.

CarryCarry BOTH your Ireland national licence and the IDP at all times. The IDP is a translation of your licence and never replaces it.

Minimum age18+ to drive; rental typically 21+ with a young-driver surcharge under 25

Validity1–3 years (you choose at checkout)

FormatDigital PDF you print yourself, plus a QR-verifiable ID card — accepted alongside printed permits

Last verified June 2026Convention: Both

Get my IDP for Malta Full Malta guide

Irish drivers should carry an International Driving Permit with their licence when driving outside the EU and EEA. Your International Driving Permit is a certified multilingual translation of your existing licence, prepared in the 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna format and carried alongside your national licence.

Driving rules in Malta

Drive on the left.
Seatbelts mandatory; phone use banned.
0.05% alcohol limit.
Narrow roads and aggressive local driving.

Common questions

Can I drive in Malta with a Ireland license?

you can drive in Malta with a Ireland license; an International Driving Permit is recommended and is carried alongside your Ireland license. Malta uses the format of the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.

Is my Ireland driver's license valid in Malta?

Do I need an International Driving Permit for Malta?

Can I rent a car in Malta with a Ireland license?

An IDP helps non-EU and non-Latin-script drivers at Maltese desks.

What IDP format does Malta accept?

Malta uses the format of the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.

How do I get an International Driving Permit for Malta?

An International Driving Permit is a certified multilingual translation of your existing Ireland license. You apply online, and it is issued as a printable PDF booklet with a QR-verifiable ID card in the 1949 Geneva / 1968 Vienna format Malta uses — carried alongside your Ireland license.

Do I still carry my Ireland license?

Carry BOTH your Ireland national licence and the IDP at all times. The IDP is a translation of your licence and never replaces it.