Car hire in Malta

Driving in Malta: Essential Rules

• Side of the road: Malta drives on the left, a legacy of British rule that ended in 1964. Overtaking is done on the right, and roundabouts are navigated clockwise — the reverse of what drivers from mainland Europe are used to. At unmarked junctions, priority is given to traffic approaching from the right.
• Mandatory equipment: Unlike most of mainland Europe, Malta has no legal requirement to carry a warning triangle, high-visibility vest, or first aid kit. Many suppliers still provide a warning triangle as standard practice for breakdowns, but do not expect it to be a legal obligation the way it is in France, Italy, or Spain.
• Headlights: Dipped headlights must be switched on throughout the day, not only at night or in poor visibility.
• Alcohol limit: The blood alcohol limit is 0.08%, the same as England and Wales. Stricter limits apply to newly qualified drivers. A breath test is compulsory following any accident involving injury.
• Mobile phones: Handheld phone use while driving is illegal. Some guidance suggests hands-free devices are restricted too, so treat any phone use behind the wheel with caution rather than assuming hands-free is a safe default.
• The Valletta congestion charge: Valletta operates a camera-enforced Controlled Vehicular Access (CVA) zone — Malta's equivalent of the ZTL zones found in Italy. It applies specifically to Maltese-registered vehicles, which includes rental cars, charged by the hour after a free first 30 minutes on weekday mornings. Foreign-registered vehicles are exempt, but a locally hired car is not. Number plate recognition cameras record entry and exit automatically; there are no toll booths or barriers. Outside Valletta, there are no congestion charges or restricted zones anywhere on the islands.
• Getting to Gozo: A car ferry runs between Ċirkewwa in northern Malta and Mġarr on Gozo, taking around 25 minutes and sailing as often as every 30 to 45 minutes, 24 hours a day. Payment is collected only on the return leg from Gozo, not on the way there. Most suppliers permit hire cars on this crossing at no extra charge, but confirm it directly with your supplier before relying on it — a separate passenger-only fast ferry between Valletta and Mġarr does not accept vehicles at all, so check you are queuing for the correct service.
• Road conditions and driving style: Main arterial roads are generally well maintained and clearly signposted. Minor and rural roads, particularly on Gozo and in older parts of towns, can be narrower and less consistently surfaced — watch for potholes. Local driving style is confident and quick to overtake; defensive driving is the sensible approach rather than matching the pace of traffic around you.

Malta Car Hire Insurance

Every car hire listed on eCarBookers in Malta includes the supplier's standard collision damage waiver (CDW) in the basic rate. Standard CDW carries an excess — the amount you would be responsible for in the event of damage. Excess amounts vary by supplier and vehicle class, and the exact figure is displayed clearly before you confirm your booking, so there are no surprises at the desk.

If you prefer to drive with no excess at all, fully comprehensive zero-excess cover is available directly from your supplier when you collect the car. The cover comes from the hire company itself, not from a third-party insurer — so once added, there is no separate policy, no paying the excess upfront, and no reimbursement claim to file. Because your booking confirmation shows the standard excess that applies, you arrive knowing exactly what the cover replaces.

It is worth noting that certain situations fall outside standard CDW cover across the car hire industry. Tyres, glass, underbody damage, lost or damaged keys, and a flat battery caused by driver error — such as leaving the lights on while the vehicle is unattended — are typically not covered and may result in a separate charge if they occur. These situations are uncommon in everyday driving, but it is good practice to check your booking confirmation for the specific cover terms applicable to your hire, as scope can vary by supplier. If you plan to take your hire car to Gozo by ferry, confirm this is permitted under your specific rental agreement before travelling, as cover terms for cross-water journeys can vary by supplier.

Popular Car Hire Locations

Malta's main pick-up points sit at its international airport and largest towns, including:

• Valletta
• Malta International Airport
• Sliema
• St Julian's
• Mellieħa
• Victoria, Gozo