Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road in Malta

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Thanks to British colonization, Maltese people drove on the wrong side of the road in Malta. Yeah, I knew that, but it didn’t dawn on me that the steering wheel would also be on the wrong, eh, right side, of the car too. I felt like an idiot. Because I kept forgetting and opening the left car door to an empty passenger seat for five days, driving in Malta is a lesson I will probably never forget. But here are a few lessons I think can help you if you plan to visit.

Table of Contents

• Driving in Malta
• How to Drive on the Wrong Side of the Road
• Driving Information in Malta
• Tips for Driving in Malta
• Bigger Cars are Not Better Cars in Malta
• No Such Thing as Free Driving
• Like it! Pin it!

Driving in Malta

How to Drive on the Wrong Side of the Road

The first car Hertz gave me was a real piece of crap. I should have known it was marked up like a Christmas tree on the rental agreement. Since my USAA insurance didn’t cover me in Europe, I purchased full coverage every time I rented. But that car was so beat up that I could have crashed it, and no one would know the difference. It broke down just outside Luqa (where the airport is), and I returned it. I was traveling solo, terrified I wouldn’t get back to the airport before it fell apart on me.

The second car was a new Opel Corsa with about 600 miles on it. It was still in the economy class, but it was definitely an upgrade to the Astral they originally gave me. But it was a tad too big; I really wanted a “baby” car, one of those tiny cars you always see in European movies like European Vacation. Those rarely have a lot of power and rarely work out in the movies, either. I am proud of myself. I think I did pretty well for my first solo trip driving on the right side of the road.

Driving Information in Malta

One time there were a bunch of people next to me. I don’t know why, but I played it off, acting as I did it on purpose. I smiled at them, placed my phone and camera on the passenger seat, and walked around to the other side of the car. They all started laughing; turns out I wasn’t the only one. My husband wouldn’t let me drive when we spent a week in the UK years ago. We barely escaped with our lives when I gave the okay to turn, looking in the wrong direction. So, trust me, when I say it was a little scary, I meant it was terrifying.

For the most up-to-date information, always refer to official sources like Transport Malta. But here are 21 more things I observed, want to share, or wish I knew about driving in Malta.

Tips for Driving in Malta

1. I enjoyed driving on the right until I had to make right turns. My brain does not work that fast. I chanted, “Keep my body on the centerline,” when there was one.

2. When the GPS says SHARP turn, it’s a RAZOR SHARP turn. I paused a few times because it didn’t seem like a legal turn.

3. I forgot the steering wheel was on the right at least once every single day. I just played it off.

4. Maltese drivers are probably sick of Western tourists, which accounts for a few gestures and honks I received on the road.

5. Thank you, thank you, thank you for reasonable signs that pointed “here.”

Bigger Cars are Not Better Cars in Malta

Opt for a Compact/ Economy Car

6. I would not suggest you rent anything larger than an economy car.

7. The Maltese like to play chicken; don’t… you will always lose. Pull over as far as you can and wait for them to pass if you aren’t sure there’s room for both of you.

8. Take the bus if you can’t drive a Western stick. Every single time I encountered traffic, I was on a freaking incline.

9. There are so many roundabouts; the first stoplight I saw surprised me.

10. Splurge for the full coverage. If there aren’t a lot of bumps and scratches on the car, it’s worth it. Lord knows it got me through some iffy situations.

11. As a foreigner, you can’t drive in city centers like M’dina or Valletta, which I was told charges a congestion fee too. OMG, trust me, you don’t want to anyway. I guess if I did, I’ll get a bill for it later. Non-residents must pay a congestion charge to enter Valletta. The first 30 minutes of parking are free, after which a fee of €2.80 per hour applies. Electric and hybrid vehicles are exempt from this charge​ (Family Holidays)​.

No Such Thing as Free Driving

12. In May 2024, Malta saw a 23.5% increase in tourists compared to the same month in 2023, with over 351,000 visitors. This surge highlights Malta’s growing popularity as a travel destination​ (MaltaToday.com.mt)​​ (TVMnews.mt).

13. The 20€ I paid for a SIM card was a good buy since I used it to navigate. Unfortunately, it only comes with a gig of memory, which I ran out of on day 3.

14. Gas stations charge a 2% fee on foreign credit cards if they take them.

15. Speaking of gas… if you need it after hours or Sunday, you definitely need cash because there is this “machine attendant” that doesn’t take cards. I suggest you never go below half a tank.

17. Remember your charging cable and cigarette lighter adapter. Smaller cars don’t always have a USB adapter.

18. Being on the right when there is a cliff with no guardrails is extremely scary.

19. Driving in Malta is hard enough. I suggest you don’t wear flip-flops; they are not suitable for driving. I saw an accident, and it turned out an Australian (you know it) lost his footing wearing flip-flops.

20. On DAY 1, a HUGE cactus plant jumped onto the road and partially SLAMMED my passenger rear window. I left it that way, gaining a few inches.

21. The ferry to Gozo, where I stayed, was 15.70€. You pay the toll on the Gozo side.

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