Renting a Car in Malta with a US License (2026 Guide)
Yes β your US license is accepted for short tourist rentals in Malta. But you will drive on the LEFT, and an International Driving Permit (IDP) is strongly recommended: some agencies ask for one, and it is your official translation if police stop you.
Malta is a former British colony, so despite being in the Mediterranean it drives on the left β a surprise to almost every American who lands at MLA.
First Thing to Know: Malta Drives on the LEFT
This catches nearly every American off guard. Malta sits in the middle of the Mediterranean, so most visitors assume it drives on the right like Italy or France next door. It does not. Malta was a British colony until 1964, and it kept British road conventions: you drive on the left, the driver sits on the right, and roundabouts turn clockwise.
If you have never driven on the left, the first hour is the hardest. The most common mistakes are drifting toward the right-hand curb, reaching for a door-mounted gear shift, and turning into the wrong lane at a junction. Give yourself a calm start: pick up the car at the airport rather than in a crowded town, take a few minutes in the lot to adjust the mirrors and seat, and say "stay left" out loud at every turn for the first day.
Good news for Americans: English is an official language in Malta alongside Maltese, so road signs, rental contracts, and directions from locals are all in English. That removes one of the biggest stress points of driving abroad.
Documents You Need at the Rental Counter
Malta is relatively relaxed compared with mainland Europe, but you still need the full paperwork set. Turn up missing your credit card or under the age minimum and you can lose the booking with no refund.
| Document | Required? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Valid US Driver's License | β | Held 1+ year; must be physical, not just the app |
| International Driving Permit (IDP) | Recommended | Some agencies ask for it; it is your official police translation |
| Passport | β | Used for identity verification at pickup |
| Major Credit Card (driver's name) | β | Debit often rejected; needed for the security hold |
| Booking Confirmation | β | Printed or on your phone |
| Minimum Age | β οΈ | Usually 21; under 25 pays a young-driver fee (~β¬10ββ¬18/day) |
Sources: U.S. Embassy in Malta, Transport Malta, and Hertz/Avis/Europcar Malta rental policies.
Do You Actually Need an IDP for Malta?
Let us be honest, because a lot of sites are not. For a short tourist visit, Malta accepts a valid US driver's license on its own β an IDP is not a strict legal mandate the way it is in Italy. So why does almost every experienced traveler still carry one?
1. Some rental agencies ask for it
Policies vary by branch and by fleet. Larger international desks at MLA usually rent on a US license alone, but individual agents β especially with premium or larger vehicles β sometimes request an IDP, and a few local agencies list it as a requirement. Having one in your pocket means the answer is never "sorry, we can't rent to you today."
2. It is your official translation at a police stop
The Malta Police Force operates checkpoints and roadside stops. An IDP is a recognized translation of your US license into multiple languages, issued under UN convention. If an officer wants to verify your entitlement to drive, handing over the IDP alongside your license removes ambiguity instantly.
Bottom line: An IDP costs about $20 and is valid for a year. For a Malta trip it is cheap insurance against a refused rental or a confusing roadside stop β not a legal necessity, but a smart one.
How to Get an IDP Before Your Trip
Only two organizations are authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue IDPs to US citizens: AAA and AATA. Anything you find on Amazon, eBay, or a random website is a counterfeit and worthless β worse, presenting a fake document to police is its own offense.
- Apply through AAA or AATA.
- Bring your valid US driver's license, two passport-style photos, and a completed application form.
- Pay the standard fee of ~$20 (plus mailing fees if applicable).
- Processing: Same day in person at a AAA branch, or 1β2 weeks by mail.
- The IDP is valid for 1 year and must be carried alongside your US license β it does not replace it.
Best Car Rental Companies in Malta for Americans
Malta has all the major international chains plus a healthy set of reputable local agencies, most clustered around the airport and the tourist strip in Sliema and St. Julian's. Local firms are often noticeably cheaper and just as reliable for a small island.
| Company | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hertz | US Chain | Reliable MLA desk; good automatic availability |
| Avis | US Chain | Airport and Sliema locations; solid support |
| Europcar | EU Chain | Newer fleet; frequent airport promotions |
| Sixt | EU Chain | Higher-end vehicles; slightly pricier |
| GoldCar / Mex | Maltese / Local | Popular budget option; read the fuel and excess terms |
| Percius / First Car Rental Malta | Maltese / Local | Well-reviewed local firms; personal service, fair prices |
Manual vs. Automatic: Most Malta rentals are manual. Automatics exist and are worth booking if you are nervous about a manual shift with your left hand on tight, hilly roads β reserve early, as the automatic pool is small and books out in summer.
Insurance: CDW, Excess, and What Your Card Covers
Every Malta rental includes third-party liability by law. On top of that you will be offered damage and theft cover β and on Malta's narrow, scrape-prone roads, this matters more than usual:
- CDW (Collision Damage Waiver): Included on most rentals but with a deductible/excess of β¬600ββ¬1,500. That excess is exactly what you will owe for a curb scrape on a Mdina-area lane.
- Theft Protection (TP): Covers vehicle theft minus a deductible; standard on most contracts.
- Super CDW / Zero Excess: Optional upgrade that removes the deductible. At roughly β¬8ββ¬20/day it is genuinely worth it in Malta because minor bodywork damage on narrow streets is so common.
- Tyre, windscreen & underbody: Often excluded from basic CDW. Malta's potholes make these real risks β check whether your excess-reduction product includes them.
- Credit card coverage: Some US cards (Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum) include rental CDW. Confirm in writing that Malta is covered, and note that card cover is usually secondary and never covers the third-party portion.
Source: Transport Malta; standard rental terms from major agencies operating in Malta.
Malta-Specific Gotchas (Read Before You Drive)
- The roads are genuinely narrow and the driving is assertive. Malta has a real reputation for chaotic, rule-loose driving β expect tailgating, sudden stops, and vehicles squeezing through gaps you would not attempt at home. Drive defensively, do not take it personally, and let aggressive drivers pass.
- Old-town streets are tiny. In Mdina, Valletta's fringes, Birgu, and older village cores, lanes can be barely wider than the car, with stone walls on both sides. If a street looks too narrow, it probably is β do not force it.
- Valletta is largely pedestrian and restricted. The capital is mostly closed to general traffic and parking inside is scarce and expensive. The move is to park outside and walk in (or use the park-and-ride at Floriana), rather than driving into the peninsula.
- Parking is scarce and tight everywhere popular. Sliema and St. Julian's fill up fast. White lines are generally free; look for signed paid areas and be ready to walk. Never block a garage entrance marked with a yellow line or the word "GARAGE" β locals will have you towed.
- Roundabouts everywhere, turning clockwise. Malta loves roundabouts. Give way to traffic coming from your right, signal on exit, and remember the whole thing flows clockwise because you are on the left.
- Potholes are a real hazard. Many secondary roads are rough. Slow down over unknown surfaces, and photograph any existing damage on the car at pickup so a pre-existing scrape is not billed to you.
- Take the car ferry to Gozo. The sister island of Gozo has quieter, more relaxed roads and is well worth a day or two. The Gozo Channel ferry from Δirkewwa carries cars; you pay on the return leg from Gozo, and rentals are generally allowed on board β just confirm with your agency.
- Distances are tiny. You can cross the main island in about 45 minutes. Do not over-plan driving days β the value is in slow exploration, not covering ground.
Malta International Airport & the Gozo Ferry
Malta has a single international airport, which keeps things simple. Nearly every rental chain and local agency has a desk there or a short shuttle away.
| Location | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Malta International Airport (Luqa) | MLA | The country's only airport; all major desks here |
| Sliema / St. Julian's pickup points | β | Convenient if you are basing yourself on the coast strip |
| Valletta / Floriana | β | Limited; park-and-ride recommended over city pickup |
| Δirkewwa (Gozo ferry terminal) | β | Take your rental on the Gozo Channel car ferry |
Because the island is so small, picking up at MLA and driving straight to your base is easy and usually cheaper than arranging a separate transfer. Just ease into left-side driving on the airport approach before you hit the busier coastal roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get Your IDP Before Your Malta Trip
An IDP costs about $20 and is valid for a year. It smooths pickup at agencies that ask for one and is your official translation at a Malta police stop.