🍷 Alcohol, drugs, penalty points and documents
Malta's alcohol limits, drugs and fatigue, the 3-year probationary licence, penalty points and revocation, insurance and the documents you must carry.
Alcohol limits
| Driver | Blood limit | Breath equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Fully licensed drivers | 0.5 g/l | 22 µg per 100 ml |
| Probationary/novice drivers (first 3 years) and commercial drivers | 0.2 g/l | about 9 µg per 100 ml |
| Bus and coach drivers, paid passenger transport (cabs, chauffeur-driven cars) | 0.0 g/l | zero |
For a new driver 0.2 g/l is practically zero: a single drink can put you over it. There is no safe way to calculate "one is OK". Alcohol slows your reactions, narrows your vision, makes you overconfident and lengthens your thinking distance. It also stays in your body for hours; the morning after a night out you may still be over the limit. Only time removes alcohol — coffee, cold showers and food do not.
Drugs and medicines
Driving under the influence of illegal drugs is an offence, and so is driving while impaired by medicines. Many cold and flu remedies, antihistamines, sleeping pills and painkillers cause drowsiness. Read the label and the leaflet, and ask your pharmacist if you are unsure. If a medicine says "may cause drowsiness" or "do not drive", do not drive.
Fatigue
Tiredness causes a large share of serious crashes. Even on a small island, long working days and late nights add up. Warning signs: yawning, heavy eyelids, drifting in the lane, missing a turn, not remembering the last kilometre. The only cure is to stop somewhere safe and rest. Opening the window or turning up the radio does not work for long.
The probationary licence (3 years)
- After you pass, your licence is probationary for 3 years.
- During this period the stricter 0.2 g/l alcohol limit applies.
- If you collect 12 penalty points within those 3 years, your licence is revoked and you may have to start again, including tests.
Penalty points
Points are added to your record for offences such as speeding, using a hand-held phone, not wearing a seatbelt, running a red light or dangerous driving. For a fully licensed driver, reaching 12 or more points within 12 months leads to revocation of the licence for a period. Serious offences (drink-driving, causing injury) can bring immediate disqualification by a court, plus heavy fines and even prison.
Insurance and documents
Every motor vehicle used on the road must have at least third-party insurance and a valid road licence (circulation licence). The vehicle must also pass VRT (the vehicle roadworthiness test) when it is due. Driving without insurance is a serious offence.
Carry with you:
- your driving licence (or learner's permit — and as a learner you must be accompanied by a qualified instructor or as the law permits);
- your ID card or residence document;
- insurance details (the cover note/certificate) and, ideally, a blank European Accident Statement form;
- a warning triangle and a reflective (hi-vis) vest in the car.
Emergency number
In Malta and across the EU, the emergency number for police, ambulance and fire is 112. It is free and works from any mobile phone.
