Can an American Drive in Malta? — Yes, but You Switch to the Left
United States
Malta
Yes. Carry an IDP with your US licence, as North American travel advice recommends. The big adjustment is left-hand traffic on narrow, congested roads, with a 0.05% alcohol limit.
Yes, an American can drive in Malta, and the paperwork is light: your US license, an International Driving Permit from AAA, and your passport. What takes effort is the road. Malta drives on the left, the same side as the UK and the opposite of every state at home, and the State Department warns that Maltese roads and drivers are rougher than many visitors expect.
License and permit
The State Department’s Malta page says nothing specific about licenses, so we rely on the nearest official guidance, from Global Affairs Canada. It says a North American licence can be used in Malta for up to one year, and that visitors should still carry an international driving permit. That advice fits a US license equally well. AAA issues the permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention; the US joined in 1950 and Malta in 1966. You cannot get one after you land, so order it before the flight.
Getting to Malta with a car
Malta is an island, so you cannot drive there from mainland Europe; vehicles arrive by sea. Almost every American visitor flies in and rents at the airport, which is the simplest plan for a short trip.
What the State Department warns about
Washington’s summary of Maltese roads is short and blunt:
- Local drivers may drive more aggressively and with less caution than visitors expect.
- Roads are often narrow, winding and congested.
- Visibility around curves is poor.
- Roads flood easily.
That combination means the posted limit is often too fast. Expect cars to pull out close in front of you, and leave room. On a blind bend, keep well to the left and be ready to stop; the car coming the other way may be using more of the road than it should. Use the horn sparingly, and let impatient drivers past rather than speeding up to keep them behind you.
Left side, small island, tight streets
For American drivers the switch to the left is the biggest single change. You sit on the right of the car and shift with your left hand if you rent a manual. Roundabouts run clockwise, and you give way to traffic coming from the right. The typical slip is turning out of a hotel car park and heading for the right-hand lane. Take the first drive early in the day, away from Valletta and the resort strips, and talk yourself through each junction.
Book an automatic and a small car. Village streets are narrow, parking spaces are tight, and a compact model is far easier to place on a road you do not know.
Limits in mph and the alcohol line
| Typical US | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Town | 25-35 mph | 50 km/h (31 mph) |
| Outside towns | 55 mph | 80 km/h (50 mph) |
| Highway | 65-75 mph | no motorways |
| Alcohol | 0.08 | 0.05 (0.02 for novice drivers) |
There is nothing on the island faster than 80 km/h. The alcohol limit leaves less room than at home, and with narrow roads and aggressive traffic the only sensible amount is zero.
When it rains
Because roads flood easily, a heavy shower can turn a dip in the road into standing water quickly. Do not drive through water when you cannot see the road surface beneath it. Slow down, use dipped headlights and wait it out if needed.
Buses and taxis
If you would rather not drive every day, buses are the main public transport. Taxis are safe but expensive and are not metered, so agree the fare with the driver before you set off.
Emergencies
Dial 112 for police, ambulance and fire. The 911 habit will not connect.
Read the Malta driving guide, confirm documents with the Driving Permit Checker, and use the Speeding Fine Calculator for a rough idea of penalties.
Sources
- U.S. Department of State, Country Information, Malta (aggressive driving; narrow, winding, congested roads; poor visibility on curves; flooding; left-hand traffic; buses; unmetered taxis), last updated July 9, 2026: cadataapi.state.gov
- Global Affairs Canada, Malta travel advice (home licence up to one year; carry an IDP; left-hand traffic; road conditions; 112): travel.gc.ca
- UN Treaty Collection, 1949 Convention on Road Traffic (Malta 1966, United States 1950): treaties.un.org
- WHO Global status report on road safety 2023, Malta profile (50 km/h urban, 80 km/h rural, no motorway limit, BAC 0.05 g/dl, novice 0.02): who.int
- WHO Global status report on road safety 2023, United States profile (BAC 0.08 g/dl): who.int
Speed limits, fines, equipment & license requirements
Your home country driving rules for reference
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Canada's travel advice says a North American licence can be used in Malta for up to a year but that visitors should still carry an international driving permit. In the US the permit is issued by AAA under the 1949 Convention, to which Malta is also a party.
Malta drives on the left, the opposite of the United States and the same as the UK. The State Department confirms it. Roundabouts and pulling out of junctions are where the habit catches you out.
The WHO profile lists 50 km/h (31 mph) in towns and 80 km/h (50 mph) outside them; Malta has no motorways. The alcohol limit is 0.05% (0.02% for novice drivers), below the 0.08% used in most US states.