Renting a car is one of the best ways to explore Malta’s stunning coastlines, historic towns, and hidden beaches — but before you book, it’s important to understand the driving license requirements that apply to tourists and short-term visitors.
Whether you’re arriving from the EU, the UK, the US, or beyond, this guide will walk you through everything you need to legally rent and drive a car in Malta in 2025, including license validity, age restrictions, IDP requirements, and documentation.
✅ Who Can Legally Rent a Car in Malta?
To legally rent a car in Malta, you’ll need to meet several basic requirements related to your driving license, age, and identity documentation. These apply whether you’re picking up a vehicle at the Malta International Airport or booking a rental near Valletta or Gozo (or anywhere else).
In short, here’s what you’ll need:
- A valid driver’s license held for at least 12 months
- A passport or EU ID card
- A credit card in the driver’s name
- An International Driving Permit (IDP) if required (more below)
Rental companies also have minimum and maximum age limits, which vary slightly depending on the provider and the vehicle type.
✅ License Requirements for Car Rental in Malta
📅 Minimum License Holding Period
To rent a car in Malta, your driver’s license must have been issued at least one year prior to the rental date. This applies to all renters, regardless of nationality or license origin.
Rental agencies require this to ensure that the driver has some real-world driving experience before taking the wheel — especially since driving in Malta can involve narrow streets, left-hand traffic, and frequent roundabouts.
🌍 EU vs. Non-EU Driving Licenses (Do You Need an IDP?)
Malta follows EU licensing standards, but the rules differ slightly based on where your license was issued:
- EU License (in English or Latin alphabet)– No IDP required
You can rent a car in Malta using your standard EU driving license, as long as it’s in a Roman alphabet and valid. - Non-EU License (e.g. US, Canada, Australia)– IDP may be required, depending on language. If your license is written in English or Latin characters, many companies will accept it without an IDP. However, some may still require the IDP as a formality — so it’s safest to have both.
- Non-Roman Alphabet (e.g. Arabic, Cyrillic, Chinese)– IDP is required
If your license is not in a Latin script, you must present both your original license and a valid IDP. Without this, most companies will not rent to you.
🪪 Accepted License Formats & Requirements
Your driver’s license must meet the following conditions:
- Be original (no photocopies or digital-only versions)
- Be valid at the time of rental
- Show your full name, photograph, and signature
- Not contain unofficial amendments or corrections
(unless officially certified by the issuing authority)
Rental companies in Malta may refuse rentals if your license has unclear markings, is laminated unofficially, or doesn’t clearly display the required information.
👤 Age Restrictions for Car Rentals in Malta
Your age is just as important as your license when renting a car in Malta. While most companies accept a wide age range of drivers, there are minimum and maximum limits — plus fees that may apply to younger or older renters.
🔞 Minimum & Maximum Age to Rent a Car in Malta
- Minimum Age: Usually 21 years old
- Some companies allow drivers as young as 18, but only for select vehicles and with added conditions.
- Maximum Age: Typically capped at 70 to 75 years old
- Renters over 70 may need to provide a medical certificate or other proof of fitness to drive, depending on the agency.
Always check your chosen rental company’s policy if you’re under 25 or over 70.
💸 Young Driver Surcharges (Under 25)
If you’re under 25, expect to pay a “young driver” fee — often ranging from €10 to €20 per day, depending on the provider.
This fee is standard across Europe and is based on perceived risk for less experienced drivers. If you’re between 21 and 24, make sure to factor it into your rental budget.
Tip: Some car rental brokers (like us) allow you to filter out providers with high young driver fees, so you don’t overpay unnecessarily.
📄 What Documents You’ll Need at Pickup
When picking up your rental car, you’ll need to present a few key items. Be sure to bring physical copies — digital versions often aren’t accepted.
🔑 Required Items
- ✅ A valid driver’s license (and IDP if needed)
- ✅ A passport or EU ID card
- ✅ A credit card in the primary driver’s name
- Some companies allow debit cards, but many require credit for security deposits.
Optional but helpful:
- 🛂 A printout of your booking confirmation
- 📋 Your insurance policy details (if purchased separately)
❌ Don’t risk a refused rental. If your documents aren’t in order, rental providers in Malta will decline the booking — even if it’s prepaid.
🔄 Left-Side Driving in Malta — What to Expect
Malta is one of the few European countries that drives on the left-hand side, a legacy of its British colonial history. If you’re coming from a right-hand drive country, this can take a day or two to adjust to — but it’s manageable with a little caution.
Here’s what to expect:
- Roundabouts flow clockwise (enter on the left, yield to the right)
- Most rental cars are automatic, but some are manual — confirm when booking
- City streets can be narrow, especially in Valletta and Mdina
- Coastal roads are scenic but may have tight curves or blind corners
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure, choose an automatic car with GPS to reduce cognitive load and focus on the road.
⚠️ Rental Company Policy Variations – Always Double Check
While Malta has fairly standard rental laws, each car rental provider may apply slightly different policies — especially when it comes to:
- License languages accepted
- Minimum/maximum age limits
- Young or senior driver fees
- Accepted payment methods (credit vs. debit cards)
- Fuel and mileage rules
As brokers, we compare multiple providers at once — so you can find the best match for your situation without reading 10 different fine-print pages.
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