Driving in Malta: Left-Hand Traffic, Gozo and Rental Car Tips

Malta is small enough to cross in under an hour and rewarding enough to spend several days exploring by car. The best coves, the quieter villages and the circuit around Gozo are all easier by rental car than by bus. There is one thing to prepare for: traffic drives on the left, which takes a conscious adjustment if you normally drive on the right. Once past that, the island is straightforward.

Driving on the left

Malta’s left-hand traffic is a legacy of British rule. The steering wheel is on the right side of the car, overtaking happens on the right and lanes flow in the opposite direction to most of continental Europe.

Practical points:

• Roundabouts go clockwise. Give way to the right (to vehicles already on the roundabout, approaching from your right).
• Manual gearbox: the gear lever is on your left. If this feels awkward, book an automatic — it removes one source of distraction while you adapt. Automatics are popular in Malta for exactly this reason, so book early.
• The critical moment is not busy traffic — it is pulling out onto an empty road from a side street or car park. With no other cars to guide you, the instinct to drift right is strongest. Say “stay left” aloud if it helps until the habit is established.

After a few kilometres, most drivers find it becomes natural. The first day requires more conscious effort; by day two it is largely automatic.

Age, licence and deposit

• Minimum rental age: 21 (some suppliers require 25 for certain categories)
• Licence held for: at least 1 to 2 years
• EU licence is valid as issued — no international permit needed for EU nationals
• A credit card in the main driver’s name is required for the deposit
• Drivers under 25 typically pay a young driver surcharge on top of the daily rate

Road conditions

The main road network is adequate. Secondary roads — particularly in villages and on Gozo — are narrow and winding, sometimes barely wide enough for two cars to pass. A few tips:

• Drive slowly through villages: roads are tight and sight lines are short at junctions
• Avoid peak traffic times in tourist zones: late morning and late afternoon are the busiest
• Fold in your wing mirrors when parking in tight spots
• On Gozo, distances are short but roads are slow — factor in more time than the map suggests
• Download an offline map before you go: signage is not always clear in rural areas

Parking

Malta uses a colour-zone parking system:

• White lines — free, but partly reserved for residents in some areas
• Blue zones — paid, approximately 0.50–2 euros per hour. Pay at the meter or via a parking app and leave the ticket visible on the dashboard
• Yellow lines — no stopping or parking; towing is enforced

Outside busy tourist centres and Valletta, parking is generally free and easy. In popular areas — Valletta, Sliema, St Julian’s, Mdina — a car park near the centre is the better option.

What car to choose

A small automatic is the right choice for Malta. It handles the narrow village lanes and tight car parks far better than an SUV, and removing the manual gearbox makes the left-hand traffic adaptation quicker. A city car or compact is ideal.

Compare rental car rates in Malta

Book your automatic early, especially in summer. Automatics are in high demand on the island and sell out.

Getting to Gozo by car

You do not need a separate rental on Gozo. The ferry between Ċirkewwa on the north coast of Malta and Mġarr on Gozo carries cars, including rental vehicles. The crossing takes about 25 minutes and runs frequently throughout the day.

Check with the rental company that cross-island travel to Gozo is permitted in the contract — most mainstream suppliers allow it, but confirm before boarding. Taking the car to Gozo gives you complete freedom to explore the island’s coves, the Citadella and the countryside at your own pace.

In short

Driving in Malta is manageable and rewarding — with one non-negotiable preparation: expect to drive on the left. Take a small automatic, give yourself a few kilometres to adapt, respect the narrow village roads on Gozo and follow the parking colour zones. The island is compact enough that a car unlocks everything within a short drive.

Rent a car in Malta →