Malta - British Expat Forum

Ah - I photocopied my driving licence too but I hadn't thought to carry it with me - but I shall! I should have thought of that! Thanks Mark.

Sheelagh

SandT wrote: Incidentally, you now need to go to Hall B, desk 30 to deal with the exchange not Hall C.

A massive thank you for posting this, the signage isn't that clear inside hall B and there were 3 queues to the left when I went in (where it points for driver license issues). Thankfully I stood in line for 15 minutes at desk 30 and got the form to fill in (wish it was online!!) and will return next week with it completed.

I can also confirm the above google maps link I posted is the correct place (and also that every motor dealer in Malta just dumps their cars outside the office so its a squeeze driving past!! )

btw does anyone know where in Malta there is a passport photo machine? I've been looking out for one and not seen any on my travels around the island.

passport photo machine - not seen one, but the photography shops do them, and for the same sort of price as a kiosk does in the UK - bear in mind UK passport regulations for photos are VERY strict, so I'd recommend having it done personally anyway - it took my shop 4 goes to get it right, so I ended up with a pocketful of photos as they gave me all the rejects, which are perfect for any other use where passport photo is required

I would take the specifications with you to the shop - head has to be between something like 28-33mm

ah, its 29-34mm
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Passports/Applicationinformation/DG_174152


The rules for passport photos

The photographs you supply with your application must:

show you with a neutral expression and your mouth closed (no grinning, frowning or raised eyebrows)
show you on your own (babies should not have toys or a dummy, and there shouldn’t be other people in the photo)
be in colour, not black and white
be identical
be taken within the last month
be 45 millimetres high x 35 millimetres wide - this is the standard size when you have a passport photo taken in a photo booth or studio (you should not trim a larger photograph to meet this condition)
be clear and in sharp focus, with a clear difference between your face and the background
be taken against a plain cream or plain light grey background
not show you with red-eye
be of you facing forward and looking straight at the camera
not be torn, creased, or marked
be printed on plain white photographic paper
be free from shadows
be taken with your eyes open and clearly visible (no sunglasses or tinted glasses and no hair across your eyes)
be free from reflection or glare on your glasses, and the frames must not cover your eyes - the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) recommends that, if possible, you remove your glasses
be professionally printed (photographs printed at home are not acceptable)
show your full head, without any head covering, unless you wear one for religious beliefs or medical reasons
be taken with nothing covering your face - you should make sure nothing covers the outline of your eyes, nose or mouth
be a close-up of your head and shoulders with a recommended head height (the distance between the bottom of your chin and the crown of your head) between 29 and 34 mm
not have any writing on the front or back, except on certified photos - trademarks or photographic printing on the back must not show through

Its for the replacement driving license - although on the "application for the exchange of a european union driving license" form it just says:

one coloured passport size photo (the photo must show the full frontal face with no hat, helmet or sunglasses, with a light background). It has to be glued in the space provided at the bottom of the page.

I'm not sure if the requirements are as strict as passports?

ah, for that nothing like as strict just tell the shop what its for

gozomark wrote:ah, for that nothing like as strict just tell the shop what its for

Super, thanks Mark

Hi SteveGill,

Just wondering how you got on with the driving licence exchange.
I need to change mine but need to go and get the form. Are there any surprises on the form?
I am assuming the usual things are required such as old licence, id card, passport (just for the sake of bringing it), couple of colour passport sized photos.
But I did read about the declaration of living here continuously for the last 185 days and also something about a doctor needing to sign the application form.
I work during the day so I would like to bring everything I need on the day and not have to make return visits and take time off work.

Thanks for your info

I'll try and dig out the form and upload it here - but there was nothing major on it, very simple. I've not been back yet due to the UK changing the rules on notifying about change of address, but intend to do it soon.

Edit: click here for the form. Apologies for the quality, the scanner is on my iphone

Thanks SteveGill,
Very helpful. Quality is fine for what I needed to know. I was just a bit worried that when you said you queued for 15 minutes to get the form that for some reason you could not apply for the new EU licence there and then and had to go away to get things organised such as a doctor signing the form or the 185 days declaration signed by a notary. But it seems straight forward enough, so thank you once again.
Will be going to the ADT on Monday to exchange the licence and will post the 'story' when I finish. (There will be a story. There is always a story to tell when dealing with the ADT )

If I'd known what was on the form I'd have been prepared with photos etc. Some people were stepping aside and filling in forms but I'm not sure if once you'd filled it in (remember pritt stick ) you'd need to go to the back of the queue or not.

I also wonder if getting there very early might be a smart move as well. Not sure what time it opens off hand though.

I have a couple of passport photos anyway and would have brought them with me along with copies and originals of ID cards and driving licence. Have dealt with ADT before and know they are not too keen on photocopying things for themselves and will send you away. I would have fallen at the pritt stick and black pen hurdle but have them organised now on the desk in front of me - so hopefully I am fully 'armed'

I know they open from 07.30 to 12.00 as I was there yesterday at 12.30 as I happened to be in the area and just chanced my arm passing by.
I have business in Valletta at 9.30 tomorrow morning so I might try to get to the ADT for 0730 and hopefully that will be enough time to do what I have to do and get to the meeting at 9.30.

Thanks again

Got to the ADT this morning and I took a chance of printing the form that SteveGill posted here and completed it! Just on the off chance that there would be a queue and I would have to get the original form, walk away, complete it and queue again - but no, they accepted the form as I had printed it. She said it would take a few weeks and I was in and out in 10 minutes.

excellent

did they ask for a doctors certificate, or is that now a thing of the past ?

Terrakka wrote:.....She said it would take a few weeks .....

Submitted our applications in July 2011 - still waiting. Have checked but they blame DVLA.