10 Tips for driving a hired car around Malta

Malta is one of the most popular tourist destinations for summer holidays and car hire is affordable and practical. Driving around Malta in your own transport allows you take benefit of the fact that the island offers a lot of places of interest in close proximity. Hiring a car will help you avoid unnecessary trips to and from and you’ll be able to do much more with your precious holiday time.

Driving in Malta is a unique experience and there are a few things you should keep in mind if you decide to hire a car on your Malta holiday. Although the core information provided in these tips is correct, they are slightly exaggerated and should by no means be taken as discouraging you from hiring a car. Driving in Malta is fun, but more so if you know what to expect!
Warning – Parts of this article are purely fictional. If you have a sense of humour you’ll be able to detect the bits I made up.

1. Left hand drive

When you ask the Maltese on what side of the road they drive, they’ll usually tell you “On the shady side” or “On the side that doesn’t have potholes”. The expected answer to that question is actually “On the left hand side”. Malta used to be a British colony (up until its independence in 1964) and has therefore adapted the left hand drive system and Highway Code.

2. Vehicles with priority

Although the Maltese adopted much of the Highway Code used in the United Kingdom, the rules are interpreted differently by many drivers in Malta. That’s not unique to Malta really, but perhaps these creative interpretations are more noticeable there. The rule most often ignored is who is given the right of way. Right of way is actually given according to vehicle size. If you hire a pick-up truck, you’ll have a significant advantage over other road users. If, however, a yellow monstrosity (public transport bus) crosses your path play it safe and apply the brakes. The same goes for private coaches, lorries and so-called mini-buses (red Ford Transit vans used for private transport).

3. Budget vs comfort

If you’re the type of person who tends to go for budget when on holiday, please reconsider when it comes to car hire. Yes, you can hire a cheap car that’s decent but there is one important luxury you will not want to pass up on during the summer months: Air conditioning. Maltese summers are HOT, which is perfect for sunbathing, swimming and chilling by the beach, but not so much for driving. You will want A/C!

4. Navigating your Moonlander

Maltese roads reach to all parts of the island and there are plenty of shortcuts around, with plenty of tarmac having been laid over the years. HOWEVER, the quality of the roads is well below par. It’s so bad in some parts that vibrations felt in the car can turn milk into butter. Some surfaces will make Neil Armstrong reminisce of his times spent on lunar landscapes. Seriously – Although the roads aren’t quite up to scratch with European standards, they are not dangerous to drive on.

5. Parking in abundance

Space is limited in Malta, while there are practically as many cars as people living on the island. That means in some areas trying to find parking is a bit of an adventure. Problem areas in summer are Sliema, St. Julian’s, St. Paul’s Bay, Bugibba and Qawra.

6. Parking skills

If the mere mention of parallel parking means you’re on the brink of a panic fit, perhaps you might want to hire a driver to come with the car on your Malta holiday. Parking bays are the exception to the rule of pavement side parking. Surprisingly, exchanging paint is not something that happens often in Malta.

7. Picking up a few words in Maltese

The Maltese are very expressive, and more so when behind a steering wheel and in situations where they believe they have the right of way (but where they don’t). If you were thinking of picking up some Maltese on your holiday in Malta and you’ll hire a car, this is a very easy way doing so. It won’t be the kind of vocabulary to boast about back home, however.

8. Know where you’re going

There’s nothing more frustrating than going for a drive in a place you’re not familiar with and getting lost. Actually, getting hit by another car is probably worse. Pre-plan your trips to avoid being in doubt in the middle of the road. Do not depend on road signage and save yourself the embarrassment of getting lost on an island that barely measures 20 miles in length.

9. Beware of the men in green

As  mentioned before, Maltese drivers tend to interpret the rules of the road very liberally. A couple of years ago the Maltese government figured it would be the perfect opportunity to earn a little extra cash. The result? Local wardens going around in villages sporting a green uniform and handing out fines left right and centre. As long as you abide by parking rules (avoiding any parking slot that is marked by yellow lines), you should be fine though.

10. Avoid public transport

It’s a scientifically proven fact that time passes slower when you travel by bus in Malta. Whereas prolonging your holiday is something you’d probably be all for, this is definitely not the way to do so. Alright, if you prefer a cheap solution nothing beats a Maltese bus, but depending on public transport in Malta means you’ll be wasting time on a bus stop and in transit.

Malta car hire

Don’t be worried too much by these tips – Driving in Malta is fun and not expensive at all. Shop around for good prices and you’ll find a bargain to suit your budget.

For more information on cheap car hire in Malta, visit the Malta travel guide GuideToMalta.net. Find out more about Malta, Maltese people, Malta car hire and Malta holidays.