Owning a Car in Malta
Transfer of ownership, annual road licence, roadworthiness test, and running costs
Transferring Ownership
When you buy a used car in Malta, you must transfer the registration into your name at Transport Malta. Driving a car that is still registered to the previous owner leaves you legally exposed — insurance claims and fines can follow the registration, not the driver.
What you need
- Original vehicle registration document (both buyer and seller should be present, or a notarised power of attorney if one party cannot attend)
- Identity documents for both parties (ID card or passport)
- Proof of insurance in the buyer's name
- Transfer fee payment (~€25–€35 depending on vehicle category)
The process
- Arrange insurance before visiting Transport Malta — you cannot legally drive the car without it.
- Both parties visit Transport Malta (Marsa or a regional office) together.
- Complete the transfer form, pay the fee, and hand over the old registration document.
- A new registration document in the buyer's name is issued within a few working days.
Do the transfer on the day of purchase. Never drive away with a car still in the seller's name, even temporarily. If anything happens before the transfer, liability becomes complicated.
Annual Road Licence
The annual road licence (often called "road tax") is a yearly fee payable to Transport Malta to keep your vehicle licensed to drive on public roads. It is separate from VRT, which is a one-time registration tax.
The road licence is calculated based on engine cubic capacity (CC), regardless of the vehicle's age or whether it uses the CO₂ formula for VRT purposes.
| Engine size | Approximate annual cost |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,000 cc | ~€100–€130 |
| 1,001 – 1,300 cc | ~€130–€180 |
| 1,301 – 1,600 cc | ~€180–€230 |
| 1,601 – 2,000 cc | ~€230–€310 |
| Over 2,000 cc | ~€310–€420+ |
| Electric vehicle | Reduced / zero |
Exact rates are set by the government annually. Always check the current schedule at Transport Malta.
When buying a used car, confirm the road licence is current — if it has lapsed, you cannot legally drive the vehicle until it is renewed. Outstanding road licence arrears stay with the vehicle, not the previous owner.
Roadworthiness Test (Technical Inspection)
Malta requires periodic technical roadworthiness inspections for vehicles above a certain age, in line with EU Directive 2014/45/EU. These are conducted at authorised testing centres.
Frequency
- New cars: first inspection at 4 years
- Then every 2 years until the vehicle is 10 years old
- Over 10 years old: annual inspection
What is checked
- Brakes and steering
- Lights (headlights, indicators, brake lights)
- Tyres (tread depth, condition)
- Emissions (exhaust gas analysis)
- Suspension and underbody components
- Windscreen and wipers
The test costs approximately €25–€40. A failed test requires repairs and a retest before the vehicle can be licensed for the road.
Note: The "VRT test" is a common misnomer in Malta. VRT (Vehicle Registration Tax) is a financial tax — the roadworthiness test is a separate, mechanical inspection. They are entirely different processes.
Annual Running Costs Summary
A realistic annual budget for a mid-range used car in Malta (e.g. 2016 family hatchback):
| Cost item | Approximate annual cost |
|---|---|
| Road licence (1,400cc petrol) | ~€200 |
| Insurance (third party) | ~€350–€500 |
| Insurance (comprehensive) | ~€700–€1,000 |
| Fuel (average 12,000km/yr) | ~€1,000–€1,400 |
| Annual service | ~€150–€300 |
| Tyres (amortised) | ~€100–€200 |
| Roadworthiness test (if due) | ~€30–€40 |
| Total (TPO insurance) | ~€1,800–€2,600 / year |
Selling Your Car
When you sell a car in Malta, the transfer process is the same as buying but from the seller's perspective. Your obligations:
- Attend the Transport Malta transfer with the buyer (or provide notarised authorisation).
- Hand over the original registration document.
- Cancel your insurance once the transfer is confirmed — not before.
- Ensure there are no outstanding fines or road licence arrears on the vehicle before the sale.
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