These Driving Tips Will Save Your Sanity in Malta

Driving in Malta sounds dreamy, right?

Hidden beaches, scenic villages, no waiting around for buses. And it can be — but the roads here have quirks that will test your patience (and sometimes your brakes).

I’ve driven in Italy, Spain, and France, so I thought I was ready.
Spoiler: Malta still surprised me.

Roundabouts, endless honking, and the odd pothole the size of a swimming pool kept me on my toes.

Still, with a bit of preparation (and a sense of humour), driving in Malta is absolutely worth it. Here’s what to expect.

First Things First: Can I Drive in Malta with a UK License?

Yes! You don’t need an international permit — just bring your valid UK licence. You’ll need to be at least 21 to rent a car (sometimes older depending on the car category) and have held your licence for two years.

What Driving in Malta Is Really Like

Malta drives on the left-hand side, like the UK, so that part feels familiar. Speed limits are displayed in km/h, but our hire car had mph as the main reading, which was confusing at first.

Roundabouts are another story. In theory, you should give way to the right, but in practice it’s more of a free-for-all.

Be confident, because locals won’t hang around. Indicators are optional here, tailgating is normal, and honking is constant. Instead of getting annoyed, I eventually joined in.

One cultural difference that took getting used to: nobody acknowledges you if you let them out at a junction. In the UK you’d expect a nod or wave — in Malta, nothing.

Parking in Malta (In General)

Parking is usually free and fairly easy to find. The main exceptions are Valletta and Mdina.

In Valletta, avoid driving in altogether. Use the Floriana Park & Ride instead — it costs €1 for the day and includes a shuttle bus straight to the city gates.

In Mdina, you can’t drive inside the walls unless you’re a resident, so you’ll need to park outside. It’s about a 10-minute walk up to the gates, which is straightforward and much less stressful than circling for a space.

Elsewhere, white bays mean free parking, while yellow markings mean prohibited. Keep an eye on tow-zone signs, as some areas have restrictions on certain days.

Petrol Stations

Petrol stations often require you to prepay at a machine or cashier before filling up. It confused us the first time (and earned us a few beeps), but once you know the system it’s easy.

Road Conditions

Malta’s roads are a real mix. The main routes are decent, but the village lanes and coastal roads can be tight and winding.

The hills are no joke — some are so steep you’ll want to stick to low gear and take it slow.

Potholes can be huge, so dodge them if you can. And always pull over for buses and ambulances, which take priority.

At one point we even ended up stuck in the middle of a street race. Not exactly on the itinerary, but we survived by keeping calm and staying to the left.

Where to Avoid Driving in Malta

• Valletta → congestion charges, impossible parking, and narrow streets. Park outside and shuttle in.

• Mdina → cars aren’t allowed inside the walls, so park here and walk.

Where to Rent a Car in Malta

We hired a Toyota Aygo for €90 for the week, plus €25 for petrol from Malta Car Hire. Small cars are a smart choice here — the narrow roads and tight parking spaces aren’t built for big vehicles.

The company took a €250 deposit, which was refunded within a week. Most places prefer a credit card, though ours accepted a debit card.

One thing to note: many rental companies charge extra if the car comes back covered in sand or dirt. A quick clean at the end of your trip avoids that fee.

If you pick up any fines for speeding or entering restricted zones, they’ll be sent straight to the hire company and passed on to you later.

Is Driving in Malta Easy?

Is Driving in Malta Easy?

Easier than Italy, trickier than Tenerife.

When we first left the airport it felt chaotic — horns everywhere, cars pulling over suddenly, and no indicators in sight.

But after a day or two, I adjusted. The trick is to be assertive without being reckless. Go with the flow, expect surprises, and keep calm.

Pedestrians also tend to step into the road without warning, so keep your eyes peeled.

Driving on Gozo

We drove onto the ferry to Gozo, and it was super easy. You only need to buy a ticket when returning with the car, which you can do at the toll booth. Once on board, the ferry staff will direct you where to park and when to disembark.

Driving in Gozo is very similar to Malta—less chaotic but still with narrow roads. We parked near the bus station for free and walked up to the Citadella, which was a highlight of our trip.

Alternatives to Driving

If you’d rather not drive, Malta offers plenty of other options. We saw Bolt rideshares at nearly every tourist attraction, and hop-on-hop-off buses are also popular for exploring both Malta and Gozo.

Public transport is extensive and affordable, with buses running regularly across the island.

We opted to rent a car because we visited over Christmas and weren’t sure how reliable the buses would be during the holidays. Though we realised our base of Qawra Hotel Resort and Spa was covered extensively by public transport.

Plus, we love the freedom of having our own wheels. We have a whole post on How To Get Around Malta you can read up on! 

Weather and Safety Tips

Malta’s weather can be unpredictable. When the heavens open, rain comes down fast, and the combination of wet roads and high winds can make driving tricky.

If you’re caught in a sudden downpour, pull over when it’s safe to do so and wait for the worst to pass.
The winds are also quite strong and fast at times, so take your time on high roads. 

Final Thoughts

Hiring a car in Malta gave us freedom to explore at our own pace, from Popeye’s Village to hidden beaches and the ferry over to Gozo.

Would I recommend it? If you’re a confident driver, yes — you’ll handle it fine and get to see so much more.

If you’re nervous behind the wheel, stick to Malta’s buses and Bolt rides. They’ll save you the stress.

Either way, Malta is a stunning destination. Just be ready for quirks, beeping, and the odd surprise on the road — it’s all part of the adventure.