Malta - British Expat Forum

from
http://www.transport.gov.mt/land-transport/driving/exchanging-your-foreign-driving-licence

Can I drive in Malta on a non-Maltese driving licence ?

Any one holding a valid E.U. driving licence who is over the age of 18 may drive in Malta until the expiry date of that licence.

Any one holding a valid non-E.U. driving licence who is over the age of 18 can drive in Malta for a period of twelve months from his/her last arrival in Malta.


How do I exchange a non-Maltese EU driving licence for a Maltese EU driving licence ?

If you have been living,working or studying in Malta for more than 185 days (6 months) during the last 365 days and the foreign Driving Licence you hold is exchangeable with a Maltese one (issued in an EU member state), you can apply for an exchange of your Driving Licence. You will need to apply in person at the Driver Licensing Unit (Hall C) LTD***, producing:

A complete application form Available soon on line
One coloured passport-sized photograph;
Your driving licence;
Your passport and Identity Card;
Maltese identity card (if available)
To be eligible to apply, you must be in possession of a Maltese Identity Card. You will also be asked to sign a declaration concering your period of stay in Malta.

After receiving clearance from the country that issued your licence, LTD will inform you to collect your Maltese driving licence, against payment. The EU licence will be returned to the country concerned.

YOU CANNOT POSSESS MORE THAN ONE DRIVING LICENCE ISSUED FROM DIFFERENT EU MEMBER STATES.

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*** I changed my licence in Gozo, at the Ministry buildings, St Francis Square, Victoria

How do I exchange a non-EU driving licence for a Maltese EU driving licence ?

You can't unless its " a Swiss or an Australian driving licence issued by a Swiss or an Australian State and Territory licensing authorities"
(taken from the link at the top). However, thats not completely true - later in the link it says citizens of EEA countries can also do this - Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway

Please see the following thread as well

http://www.britishexpat.com/expatforum/malta/viewtopic.php?t=7380

includes some reasons why its worthwhile changing

IS there a seperate license in Malta for motorcycles as in the UK or does an EU car license cover everything bar commercial?

Licences in the UK and Malta ( and all other EU countries) are now on the same basis - a UK licence is actually an EU licence now.

So there is a seperate test and license for motorcycles as in the UK?

As in the UK, it depends on cc of the bike, but the same rules as the UK. I took a licence for a 70cc bike in Gozo (I think it qualifies me up to 125cc).

Cool thats the equivalent of a CBT here in the UK then.

Driving licence categories, cut and pasted from
link

AM Mopeds - two-wheeled or three-wheeled motorcycles not exceeding 50cc in case of a combustion-type engine and not exceeding 4kW in case of an electric motor.
A1 Light motorcycles with a cubic capacity not exceeding 125cc and of a power not exceeding 11kW.
A Motorcycles up to 25kW (33bhp) and a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kW/Kg. Motorcycle combination with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kW/Kg..
A+ Any size motorcycle with or without a sidecar..
B1 Motor tricycles/quadricycles, 3 or 4 wheeled vehicles with an unladen weight not exceeding 550Kg..
B Motor cars or light vans with up to 8 passenger seats and up to 3,500Kg with a light trailer up to 750Kg..
B auto Same as in category B, but with automatic transmission.
B+E Motor cars or light vans with up to 8 passenger seats and up to 3,500Kg with a trailer..
C1 Vehicles between 3,500Kg and 7,500Kg with trailer up to 750Kg..
C1+E Vehicles between 3,500Kg and 7,500Kg with a trailer over 750Kg - combined weight not more than 12,000Kg..
C Vehicles over 3,500Kg with a trailer up to 750Kg..
C+E Vehicles over 3,500Kg with a trailer over 750Kg..
D1 Small passenger-carrying vehicles with more than 8 seats but not more than 16 seats in addition to the driver's seat..
D1+E � Combinations of vehicles where the towing vehicle is in subcategory D1 and its trailer (which cannot be used for the transport of persons) has a g.v.w. over 750Kg provided the g.v.w. of the combination thus formed does not exceed 12,000Kg and the g.v.w. of the trailer does not exceed the unladen mass of the towing vehicle..
D Motor vehicle used for the carriage of persons having more than 9 seats including the driver's seat with a trailer up to 750Kg..
D+E Combination of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in category D and its trailer has a g.v.w. of over 750Kg..
F Vehicles for the carriage of persons having more than 16 seats including that of the driver but not more than 19 seats including that of the driver.
G Agricultural Tractors.

Quote:

Cool thats the equivalent of a CBT here in the UK then.

Surely that's the equivalent of a Full Light Motorcycle Licence, ie. CBT + Motorcycle Theory Test + Practical Motorcycle test.

In the UK a CBT covers you to ride up to 13BHP or 125cc

(Subject to qualifying age eg if you are 16 you are restricted to a 50cc)

As a learner only. The CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) is the training that you have to do before you can ride on the road with L-plates. It gives you a certificate of completion which validates your provisional licence (for up to two years) during which time you have to take the theory and practical tests do achieve a Full Light Motorcycle Licence.

link[/url]

You only have to take the full test if you wish to continue riding after the two year allowance under the CBT has expired.

You used to be able to take it repeatedly but as far as i am aware they have limited it to just the two years now.

From same website:

* for riding motorcycles as a learner the DL196 remains valid for two years

Once you have your certificate you are advised to take additional training to pass your theory and practical tests and qualify for a motorcycle or moped licence. You must take the DL196 certificate with you when you go to your practical test.

Or to drive abroad, as a provisional licence is only valid in the EU state in which it was issued. I read the 'advised' bit in your quote as advising training in order to pass the tests rather than taking training AND passing the tests.

The fact remains that Mark said he "took a licence" which I assume meant "took a test which gave him a licence" (he hasn't said provisional anywhere), so he has a full licence which isn't equivalent to a CBT.

Yep, I took the test for my A1 motorbike licence only a few days after Malta joined the EU (and was the first person in Gozo to pass - three failed before me on the same day...). I sat a written exam in Malta (actually done on a PC), and then took a practical test in Gozo.

page in first post is now

http://www.dca.gov.mt/Page.aspx?pageid=580&lid=1