How Much Does a Driving Licence Cost in Malta in 2026?
Getting a category B driving licence in Malta in 2026 costs roughly €500–€750 in total for most learners. The official Transport Malta fees add up to only around €108–€125 — the bulk of your budget goes on driving lessons, which typically cost €400–€600 for the 20 or so sessions most new drivers need.
This guide breaks down every fee on the road from learner's permit to probationary licence, using Transport Malta's official fee schedule and real lesson prices from licensed Maltese motoring schools.
The total cost at a glance
Here is what a first-time category B candidate in Malta can expect to pay in 2026, assuming you pass both tests on the first attempt:
| Item | Cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Learner's permit (valid 3 years) | €23.25 |
| Theory test | €30.25 |
| Practical driving test (weekday) | €23.25 |
| Probationary licence (valid 3 years) | €31.00 |
| Driving lessons (around 20 at €20–€30/hr) | €400–€600 |
| Realistic total | ≈ €508–€725 |
Every figure above comes from Transport Malta's published fee schedule or current price lists at licensed motoring schools. Let's go through each line.
Transport Malta fees, item by item
Learner's permit — €23.25
Before you can sit behind the wheel, you apply to Transport Malta for a learner's permit. It costs €23.25 and stays valid for three years, which is plenty of time to complete your lessons and both tests without renewing. You'll need to be at least 18 for category B and submit the application with a medical declaration confirming you're fit to drive.
Theory test — €30.25
The computer-based theory test is booked through Transport Malta and costs €30.25 for your first attempt. If you fail, a re-sit costs €22.50 — slightly cheaper, but still money you'd rather keep. The test covers Maltese road rules, signs and hazard awareness, and you must pass it before booking the practical.
Practical test — €23.25 on weekdays, €40.00 at weekends
The practical driving test costs €23.25 if you book a weekday slot. Transport Malta also offers weekend tests at €40.00 for candidates who can't take time off work or school. Resits are charged at the same rate, so each failed attempt adds at least another €23.25 to your bill — plus, in practice, the cost of a few more lessons before you try again.
Probationary licence — €31.00
Pass the practical and you don't get a full licence straight away. Malta issues new drivers a probationary licence for €31.00, valid for three years. During probation you're limited to a stricter penalty-point threshold, and serious offences can send you back to square one. After the three years, you convert to a full licence.
Add it all up and the government's share of your licence comes to about €108 on the cheapest path (all weekday bookings, first-time passes) or up to roughly €125 with a weekend practical test.
Driving lessons: the real cost driver
Lessons are where Maltese learners spend most of their money. Licensed motoring schools across Malta and Gozo — including established names like Royal Motoring School and Elite Driving Academy — charge roughly €20–€30 per hour-long lesson in 2026, with exact rates depending on the school, location and whether you buy a block of lessons upfront.
How many lessons will you need? There's no legal minimum in Malta, but most instructors recommend 15–25 lessons for a complete beginner. Taking 20 lessons at mid-range prices means budgeting €400–€600. Learners with prior experience (for example, those converting habits from riding a motorcycle) often manage with fewer.
Watch out for two extras some schools charge:
- Car hire for the test — many schools include the use of the instructor's car for your practical test in a package; others bill it separately (typically the price of one to two lessons).
- Booking and paperwork fees — a small admin charge for handling your Transport Malta applications. It's optional; you can file the forms yourself for free.
How to keep the cost down in 2026
Practise between lessons
Malta allows learner drivers to practise in a private car, provided the vehicle displays L-plates, is insured for a learner, and you're accompanied by a qualified driver who meets the legal requirements. Every supervised hour with a parent or friend is a €20–€30 lesson you don't have to buy — and learners who practise between lessons consistently need fewer paid hours overall.
Pass the theory test first time
At €30.25 a sitting, theory test resits add up — and each failure delays your practical booking too. Drill past-style questions daily with a practice app such as SteerClear until you're passing mock tests comfortably, and only book the real thing when your scores are consistently above the pass mark.
Book weekday test slots
Choosing a weekday practical test saves €16.75 compared with a weekend slot. If your schedule allows it, that's the easiest saving on the list.
Buy lesson blocks, but only after a trial
Most schools discount blocks of 10 or 20 lessons. Take one or two individual lessons first to make sure the instructor suits you — switching schools mid-package is where learners waste the most money.
What's changed for 2026?
Transport Malta's licensing fees have remained stable into 2026 — the learner's permit (€23.25), theory test (€30.25) and weekday practical test (€23.25) are unchanged from recent years. The pressure on your wallet comes instead from lesson prices, which have crept upward with fuel and insurance costs; €25 per hour is now a more realistic mid-point in busy areas than the €20 floor. Booking lead times for tests can also stretch during peak months, so apply for your theory test early — waiting costs nothing, but rushing into resits does.
Budget scenarios
- Lean budget (~€510): 18–20 lessons at the cheaper end, weekday tests, first-time passes, regular private practice between lessons.
- Typical budget (~€600–€700): 20 lessons at mid-range prices, one theory resit or a weekend practical slot.
- Higher budget (€800+): 25+ lessons, a failed practical attempt and the extra lessons that usually follow it.
The pattern is clear: government fees are fixed and modest, so the cheapest licence is the one you earn with solid preparation and first-time passes.
Our mission: bring the cost of a licence down
The biggest line in the figures above is paid lessons — and how many you need depends on what happens between them. SteerClear exists to push the real cost down: structured practice on real test-centre routes between lessons, so every paid hour advances you instead of repeating last week. Getting a licence shouldn't be a financial burden.
FAQ
How much does it cost to get a driving licence in Malta in 2026?
Around €500–€750 in total for most learners. Transport Malta's official fees come to about €108–€125 (learner's permit €23.25, theory test €30.25, practical test €23.25–€40, probationary licence €31), while 20 or so driving lessons add €400–€600.
What are the Transport Malta test fees in 2026?
The theory test costs €30.25 (€22.50 for a re-sit) and the practical driving test costs €23.25 on weekdays or €40.00 at weekends. Resits of the practical are charged at the same rate as the original booking.
How much are driving lessons in Malta?
Licensed motoring schools in Malta charge roughly €20–€30 per hour in 2026. Most beginners need 15–25 lessons, so a sensible lesson budget is €400–€600. Block bookings of 10 or 20 lessons are usually discounted.
What is the probationary licence and how much does it cost?
After passing your practical test, Malta issues a probationary licence costing €31.00, valid for three years. New drivers face a stricter penalty-point limit during this period before converting to a full licence.
Can I practise driving outside of lessons in Malta?
Yes. Learner drivers may practise in a private car displaying L-plates with valid learner insurance, accompanied by a qualified driver. Supervised private practice between lessons is one of the most effective ways to cut the number of paid lessons you need.
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