Driving in Malta
Your comprehensive guide to Everything Malta
More real concerns are the traffic congestion that can build up in certain areas of Malta during rush-hour times - around Valletta on weekdays and around the Northern localities on weekends. Parking is also very difficult in certain localities especially in Valletta, Sliema and St. Julian’s. There are, however, designated car parks around these localities and it is advisable to use them. All upmarket hotels have their own parking facilities. Most tourist attractions including beaches have a car park with an official parking attendant present. These are usually tipped circa €0.60 upon your departure.
Being an ex-British colony, the Maltese drive on the left. Speed limits are 50km/h in urban areas and 80km/h on the short stretches of open road available. Seat belts are compulsory for all passengers. National and international driving licences are accepted. The minimum age of renting a car is 21 even though an extra supplement is usually applicable for drivers up to 25 years of age.
It is also very advisable to have a good road map since the road network of the islands is a maze and the lack of a major motorway means that it is usually possible to get to your destination in more ways than one. For this reason, road signs or directions by locals can be rather confusing.
