Can a British Driver Use Their Licence in Malta? — Same Side, No Side Switch

For a British driver, Malta is one of the most familiar places in Europe to get behind the wheel — and the reason is written into its history. The licence and the side both come straight from home.

The verdict for a UK licence holder

Your British licence is accepted for driving in Malta with no special formality. An International Driving Permit is harmless to carry but not essential here; the licence and your passport are what the rental desk wants. There is nothing to arrange before you fly beyond the usual hire paperwork.

No side switch — a British legacy

Malta drives on the left, exactly as the UK does — a hangover from its years under British rule, right down to the red post boxes. There is no side switch to relearn, no anticlockwise roundabouts to fight, and your instincts work from the first junction. That makes Malta one of the most relaxed EU countries for a UK driver, removing the adjustment that complicates most overseas hires.

What actually catches British drivers: the roads

The challenge in Malta is space, not direction. The island is densely built and the roads are narrow, twisting and busy, with parking on both sides squeezing already-tight lanes. Local driving is assertive — expect close following and decisive overtaking — and rural roads can be rough and poorly lit. The urban limit is 50 km/h and rural roads 80; with the whole island small, you are rarely at speed for long. The drink-drive limit is 0.08 BAC, matching home, but the safe rule on tight roads is none.

Costs and the basics

Fuel runs around $1.52 a litre, and a paperwork or rule breach can cost about EUR 46. Hire a small car — it makes the village lanes and old-town entrances far less stressful — and avoid the rush around Valletta and Sliema if you can.

Read the full rules on our Malta driving guide, confirm your documents with the Driving Permit Checker, and estimate any penalty with the Speeding Fine Calculator.