🚛 Heavy vehicles: trucks and buses
Categories C1, C, CE, D1 and D, minimum ages, blind spots and turning, air brakes, tachographs and driving hours, loads, limits and passenger safety.
Categories and minimum ages
| Category | Vehicle | Standard EU minimum age |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Goods vehicles 3,500–7,500 kg (trailer up to 750 kg) | 18 |
| C | Goods vehicles over 3,500 kg (trailer up to 750 kg) | 21 |
| CE | Category C with a trailer over 750 kg (articulated / drawbar) | 21 |
| D1 | Minibuses: up to 16 passengers, max length 8 m | 21 |
| D | Buses and coaches: more than 8 passengers | 24 |
You need a Category B licence first, a medical certificate, and you must pass the heavy-vehicle theory test (Category C or D question bank) before the practical test.
Blind spots
From a high cab you cannot see a small car, a cyclist or a child directly in front of the bumper, alongside the left door, or behind the vehicle. Use all mirrors (including the close-proximity and front mirrors), adjust them before every trip, and lean forward to look again before moving off. If you cannot see behind when reversing, get out and look or use a banksman.
Turning and swept path
Long vehicles cut in: the rear wheels follow a tighter line than the front wheels. In Malta's narrow streets and tight roundabouts:
- Plan your route in advance; avoid narrow village cores and low bridges/arches.
- For a left turn, go further forward before turning so the rear wheels do not mount the kerb or hit a cyclist on the inside. Check the left mirror throughout.
- You may need to straddle lanes on roundabouts; signal early and watch for smaller vehicles trying to squeeze alongside.
- Watch the overhang at the rear: when you turn, it swings out the opposite way.
Air brakes
Most heavy vehicles use air (pneumatic) brakes. Before moving off, wait until the air pressure gauge reaches working pressure and the low-pressure warning goes out. If the warning comes on while driving, stop safely as soon as possible. Use the exhaust brake / retarder on long descents (e.g. down to Marsa or the coastal hills) to avoid brake fade. Always apply the parking brake when you leave the cab.
Tachograph and driving hours (EU rules)
| Rule | Limit |
|---|---|
| Daily driving | 9 hours (may be extended to 10 hours twice a week) |
| Break | After 4.5 hours of driving, a break of at least 45 minutes (can be split into 15 + 30 minutes) |
| Weekly driving | Maximum 56 hours |
| Two consecutive weeks | Maximum 90 hours |
The tachograph records your driving, rest and other work. Use your driver card, select the correct mode, and never tamper with the device — heavy penalties apply. Rest periods (daily and weekly) are also regulated.
Loads and securing
- Never exceed the vehicle's maximum authorised mass or axle weights. Overloading increases braking distance and the risk of tyre failure and rollover.
- Distribute the load evenly and keep it low; secure it with straps, chains, nets or sheets so it cannot move forward, backward or sideways when braking or cornering.
- Loose material (sand, gravel, construction waste) must be covered.
- Know your vehicle's height and weight; obey signs for height, width and weight limits and plan routes accordingly.
Speed limits and alcohol
- Speed: 40 km/h in built-up areas and 60 km/h elsewhere for buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles (lower where signed).
- Alcohol: 0.2 g/l for commercial drivers; 0.0 for bus/coach drivers and anyone driving paid passenger transport.
Passenger safety (Category D)
- Do not move off until passengers are seated or holding on, and the doors are fully closed.
- Accelerate, brake and corner smoothly — standing passengers, the elderly and people with prams can fall easily.
- Pull in close to the stop so passengers step straight onto the pavement; use the kneeling function where available.
- Watch your mirrors for people running for the bus or close to the doors when pulling away.
- Know where the emergency exits, hammer and fire extinguisher are.
Daily walk-around check
- Lights and indicators, reflectors, number plates — clean and working.
- Tyres and wheels: tread depth, cuts, bulges, pressures, wheel nuts (check indicators).
- Mirrors and windscreen: clean, no cracks, wipers and washers working.
- Fluids: oil, coolant, AdBlue, fuel; no leaks under the vehicle.
- Brakes: air pressure builds up correctly, no air leaks (listen), brake lines intact.
- Coupling (CE): fifth wheel locked, airlines and electrical connections secure, trailer brake released.
- Load secure, doors and tail-lift locked; for buses, doors, emergency exits and seats checked.
- Record and report any defect before driving.
