Car or bus?
Malta is small, so the decision turns less on distance than on parking, charges and how many places you want to reach. VisitMalta notes that road signs are in English and that driving is on the left, and it presents a car as the way to reach the farther parts of the island (Getting around).
| Your trip | Better choice | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Valletta, Sliema and the Three Cities only | Bus and ferry | Parking and the Valletta charge work against you |
| Several beach or countryside days | Rent for those days | Flexible departures and luggage in the boot |
| Gozo for a day, two adults | Often foot passenger | Taking the car more than doubles the crossing cost |
| Gozo for two or more nights | Car or rent on Gozo | Gozo's sights are spread out |
| Arriving late at the airport | Depends on the hour | See bus times first |
For airport buses and travel cards, see the airport to city and buses guide. Malta Public Transport sells travel cards valid on buses across Malta and Gozo.
Licence, age and pickup
Transport Malta says a licence from outside the EU can be used in Malta for up to twelve months from the date of your last entry, and licences issued in EU countries are recognised while valid (Transport Malta). The same page stresses that an International Driving Permit is not equivalent to a driving licence.
Rental companies add their own conditions. Avis Malta requires all drivers to be at least 21 and to have held a full licence for at least one year, with a minimum of 25 for premium and prestige cars. It asks for an original licence from your country of residence and pre-authorises a security deposit on a credit card.
Driving on the left: what changes
The Road Code sets out the essentials:
- Traffic keeps to the left-hand side of the road.
- Overtake on the right. Motorcyclists are told not to overtake on the left even where a cycle lane exists.
- At roundabouts the Road Code notes that the normal right-of-way rules may be modified; in practice, traffic already circulating comes from your right, so look right before entering.
- The national limits for cars are 50 km/h in built-up areas and 80 km/h on other roads, and signs can set lower limits.
- A hand-held phone may not be used for any purpose while driving, except for emergency calls.
- Seat belts are compulsory where fitted, and children under 12 need suitable restraints.
- The drink-drive limit is 22 micrograms per 100 ml of breath, or 50 mg per 100 ml of blood.
How much is Valletta's CVA charge?
Valletta uses Controlled Vehicular Access (CVA). Cameras record when a car enters and leaves the zone, and the system bills the time spent inside. The CVA tariffs are:
| Situation | Charge |
|---|---|
| First 30 minutes | Free |
| 30-60 minutes | €0.82 |
| Each further hour | €0.82, capped at €6.52 per day |
| Entering after 14:00, Monday to Friday | Free |
| Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays | Free all day |
Charges apply Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 18:00, according to the CVA FAQ. Bills are paid after the visit; unpaid bills rise by 2% or €5.82, whichever is higher, after 30 days, and double after 90 days.
For a rental car, the bill goes to the registered keeper, which is the rental company. The amounts are small, but a company that treats the CVA bill like a fine could add its handling fee. Avis Malta's fee is €35 per fine or contravention. Ask at the desk whether CVA charges are billed with or without a fee.
Worked example: a morning in Valletta
| Plan | CVA charge | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Drive in at 09:00 on a Tuesday, leave at 13:00 | A few euros, capped at €6.52 | Plus any handling fee from the rental company |
| Drive in at 14:30 on a Tuesday | €0 | Entry after 14:00 is free |
| Drive in on Saturday | €0 | Weekend access is free |
| Leave the car outside the zone and walk in | €0 | Check local parking signs outside the zone |
For a weekday visit, either arrive after 14:00 or leave the car outside the zone. If you must drive in on a weekday morning, the charge itself is capped at €6.52, so the rental company's handling fee is the bigger unknown.
How much is the Gozo ferry with a rental car?
Gozo Channel runs the car ferry between Ċirkewwa on Malta and Mġarr on Gozo. Tickets for vehicles and drivers are sold online or at the Mġarr vehicle ticket booths only, according to its fares notice. You drive on at Ċirkewwa without validating a ticket and pay or validate before the crossing back from Gozo.
Fares from Gozo Channel's car and driver page and passenger page, September 2026:
| Ticket | Return fare |
|---|---|
| Car up to 5.3 m and driver | €15.70 |
| Car and driver, night fare (Nov-Mar, from Mġarr after 20:00) | €12.80 |
| Vehicle 5.3-5.5 m and driver | €20.70 |
| Adult passenger | €4.65 |
| Adult passenger, night fare (Nov-Mar) | €4.05 |
| Child aged 3-12 | €1.15 |
| Child aged 0-2 | Free, but a free ticket is required |
Child tickets are sold only at the Gozo Channel booths in Gozo.
Worked example: a Gozo day for a family
| Group | With car | On foot |
|---|---|---|
| Two adults | €15.70 + €4.65 = €20.35 | 2 × €4.65 = €9.30 |
| Two adults, two children aged 5 and 9 | €20.35 + 2 × €1.15 = €22.65 | €9.30 + 2 × €1.15 = €11.60 |
The car adds about €11 to the crossing. That buys a flexible day for a family covering several spread-out sights. For two adults visiting Victoria and one beach, the bus may be enough, since travel cards cover Gozo routes too.
How do traffic fines reach you in a Malta rental car?
Traffic contraventions in Malta are handled through the Local Enforcement System. Its penalty point schedule gives 3-6 points for speeding up to 15 km/h over the limit, 4-6 points above that, 6-9 points for a hand-held phone in a car, and 3-5 points for a red light.
The euro amounts need care. The government's offences page still lists speeding at €34.94 up to 15 km/h over and €69.88 above that. In 2023, The Malta Independent reported planned increases, including €100 for speeding more than 15 km/h over, €200 for a red light and €200-300 for phone use. The amount printed on your notice is the one that applies.
Avis Malta explains that fines can be paid directly through the LES contravention portal or paid by Avis on your behalf, and in both cases it adds a €35 administration fee per fine.