Driving and rental
Driving in Malta: what to know before you pick up the car
Driving in Malta is manageable, but three things catch first-time visitors out: traffic on the left, slow and busy town centres, and Valletta's camera-based access charge. Here is what to know before you leave the airport car park.
In short
- Malta drives on the left; cars have the steering wheel on the right.
- EU licences are valid in Malta. A licence issued outside the EU can be used for up to 12 months from your last entry into Malta.
- Valletta's Controlled Vehicular Access (CVA) cameras record cars entering the city; the charge is billed to the car's registered owner.
- Licensed car park attendants may ask for a tip; they are allowed to keep it.
- Taking the car to Gozo means a ferry: check your rental conditions first.
Picking up the car at Malta airport
At Malta International Airport you collect the car at the airport or in the airport car rental parking. Your pick-up instructions arrive by e-mail after booking and again shortly before pick-up; follow those rather than the car's default location in the app. Before driving off, walk round the car, photograph any existing marks and check the fuel level against the rental agreement.
Driving on the left
- Roundabouts are frequent. Traffic flows clockwise, so look right before you enter.
- Overtaking is on the right. Expect some drivers to overtake on the inside too, and keep a steady line.
- If you have never driven on the left, choose an automatic and do the first drive in daylight on the quieter roads in the south.
Valletta and the CVA charge
Cameras at twelve points around Valletta photograph cars entering and leaving the charging zone, and the system bills the time spent inside to the car's registered owner. For a rental car the rental company receives the bill, and the rental terms decide whether it is passed on to you. The simple option: park outside the zone, for example in Floriana, and walk in. Times and tariffs are set by Transport Malta and can change; the CVA site has the current rules.
Parking
- Never park on double yellow lines: cars can be towed.
- Parking bays are colour coded. Some bays are reserved for residents, at all times or at night; read the sign next to the bay before you leave the car.
- Many free car parks have licensed attendants in a tag. A small tip is expected but not mandatory.
- In Mdina, Valletta and the beach car parks, arrive before late morning in summer.
Taking the car to Gozo
The Gozo Channel car ferry runs from Ċirkewwa to Mġarr around the clock and the crossing takes about 25 minutes. You drive on at Ċirkewwa without a ticket and pay the return fare in Mġarr before sailing back, either online or at the vehicle booths. There are no reservations, so allow time for queues on summer weekends and public holidays.
A ferry crossing is a separate condition in many rental agreements. Check that your rental allows the car on the Gozo ferry before you drive to Ċirkewwa.
Licence and documents
Carry your driving licence and the rental agreement in the car. Drivers with an EU licence need nothing extra. With a licence issued outside the EU you can drive in Malta for up to 12 months from your last entry; the rental company may set its own requirements, such as a minimum time since the licence was issued.
Fines and charges after the trip
Speed camera fines, parking fines and the CVA charge reach the car's owner after the rental. Under the rental terms they are passed on to the driver, together with any fuel shortfall if the car is returned with less fuel than agreed. Keep the car's fuel at the agreed level and park only where you are sure it is allowed.
Frequently asked questions
Is driving in Malta difficult?
Distances are short and roads are slow rather than fast. The main adjustments are driving on the left, frequent roundabouts and busy town centres at rush hour.
Can I drive into Valletta?
You can, but entry is recorded by CVA cameras and charged to the car's owner. Parking outside the zone and walking in is easier.
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
Not with an EU licence. With a non-EU licence, check Transport Malta's rules and your rental company's requirements before travelling.
Sources
- Driving licence, Transport Malta (checked October 27, 2026)
- Vehicles: CVA and car parkers, Transport Malta (checked October 27, 2026)
- CVA frequently asked questions, CVA / Transport Malta (checked October 27, 2026)
- Land transport: driving in Malta, Government of Malta (checked October 27, 2026)
- Fares, Gozo Channel (checked October 27, 2026)
- Gozo Channel for commuters, Gozo Channel (checked October 27, 2026)
Rules, prices and opening hours change. Check the official source before you travel. Drive times are approximate.
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