Changes Effective from 29 July 2026

From 29 July 2026, new requirements apply to Light Passenger Transport Services in Malta.

The changes affect operators, vehicles, drivers and intermediary booking platforms.

The main changes relate to:

• Operator Licence categories – LPTV1, LPTV2 and SOV;
• parking rules and the use of the official Transport Malta parking clock;
• garaging and off-street parking requirements;
• the operation of Special Occasion Vehicles (SOV);
• services provided through intermediary booking platforms;
• requirements for drivers and Driver Permit Tags;
• driving and rest periods; and
• administrative penalties and enforcement.

This page explains the main changes, how they affect existing operators and drivers, and what operators need to do to comply with the new requirements.

Some requirements apply immediately from 29 July 2026, while transitional periods apply to certain other requirements. Where a transitional period applies, this is explained in the relevant section below.

1. New Operator License

From 29 July 2026, Light Passenger Transport Services are divided into three Operator Licence categories:

• LPTV1 – for operators
• LPTV2 – for operators with five (5) or more authorised vehicles; and
• SOV – for operators providing eligible pre-booked passenger transport services using Special Occasion Vehicles.

LPTV1 and LPTV2 vehicles may operate through authorised intermediary booking platforms and may also provide independently arranged pre-booked passenger transport services.

SOV vehicles may only provide eligible pre-booked services and cannot operate through intermediary booking platforms.

Additional requirements apply to LPTV2 operators and to SOV operators with five (5) or more authorised vehicles, as explained here.

2. Parking Rules and Transport Malta Parking Clock

From 29 July 2026, new parking rules apply when Y-plate and SOV vehicles are not in use.

Y-Plate Vehicles

When a Y-plate vehicle is not in use and is parked on the road, the official Transport Malta parking clock must be clearly displayed and correctly set to indicate the time when the vehicle was parked.

A Y-plate vehicle may remain parked on the road for a maximum of:

• two (2) hours between 05:01 and 16:59; and
• one (1) hour between 17:00 and 05:00.

SOV Vehicles

When an SOV vehicle is not in use and is parked on the road, the official Transport Malta parking clock must also be clearly displayed and correctly set.

An SOV vehicle may remain parked on the road for a maximum of three (3) hours.

The three-hour limit applies throughout the day and night.

Parking Clock Penalty

Failure to display or correctly use the official Transport Malta parking clock may result in an administrative penalty of €500.

The parking clock does not replace the operator's obligation to comply with the applicable garaging and off-street parking requirements.

Transport Malta is providing the Transport Malta parking clocks free-of-charge. Operators are required to fill this online form updating their contact details before collecting the clocks from the Operations & Projects Unit in Paola.

3. Garaging and Off-Street Parking

Operators must have approved garaging facilities for the vehicles authorised under their Operator Licence. When a vehicle is not in use, it must be parked in the approved garaging facility or otherwise parked off-street in accordance with the applicable requirements. The on-street parking periods explained above are exceptions to this general requirement. They do not replace the operator's obligation to have and use the required garaging facilities. Operators must therefore ensure that sufficient approved garaging capacity is available for the vehicles authorised under their Operator Licence.

For LPTV2 operators and SOV operators with five (5) or more authorised vehicles additional requirements apply in relation to garaging facilities and their approved capacity.

Failure to comply with the applicable garaging or off-street parking requirements may result in fines and enforcement action.

4. Special Occasion Vehicles (SOV)

From 29 July 2026, vehicles authorised as Special Occasion Vehicles operate under an SOV Operator Licence.

• SOV services must be pre-booked.
• SOV vehicles cannot operate through intermediary booking platforms.

Bookings for SOV services may be obtained directly from customers or through other permitted channels, subject to the applicable Regulations.

SOV vehicles may provide eligible pre-booked passenger transport services, including, where applicable, transport connected with weddings, events, hotels, airport transfers, sightseeing and other eligible pre-booked services.

An SOV Operator Licence may have one (1) or more authorised vehicles.

Where an SOV operator has five (5) or more authorised vehicles, the additional requirements applicable at the five-vehicle threshold must also be satisfied.

An SOV vehicle must be authorised and registered as an SOV vehicle and cannot simultaneously operate as a Y-plate vehicle through an intermediary booking platform.

Operators Intending to Operate SOV Vehicles

Operators who intend to operate vehicles as Special Occasion Vehicles (SOV) and who have not yet been contacted by Transport Malta regarding the change to SOV registration plates should contact the Operations & Projects Unit without delay by email at [email protected].

This will allow Transport Malta to provide the necessary guidance and coordinate the applicable process for the change to SOV registration plates.

5. Operating Through Intermediary Booking Platforms

LPTV1 and LPTV2 vehicles may provide passenger transport services through authorised intermediary booking platforms.

Operators providing services through a booking platform must ensure that:

• the vehicle is authorised under a valid LPTV1 or LPTV2 Operator Licence;
• the driver holds a valid driving licence and the applicable Transport Malta Driver Permit Tag;
• the driver is legally employed or commissioned by the operator and registered as required;
• the applicable Operator Licence, vehicle documentation and driver documentation remain valid; and
• the vehicle is not authorised as an SOV vehicle.

SOV vehicles cannot be made available, displayed or used to accept bookings through an intermediary booking platform.

LPTV1 and LPTV2 vehicles are not restricted to platform work. They may also provide independently arranged pre-booked passenger transport services, subject to the applicable requirements.

Driver Identification and Facial Recognition

Intermediary booking platforms must use facial-recognition technology to verify the identity of drivers operating through the platform.

Drivers operating through an intermediary booking platform must therefore complete the required facial-recognition verification when requested by the platform.

A driver must not allow another person to use his or her driver account or profile to provide passenger transport services.

Operators must ensure that vehicles operating under their Operator Licence are driven by the appropriately registered and authorised driver.

This requirement helps ensure that the driver using the platform is the same driver who is authorised and registered to provide the service.

6. Driver Requirements

From 29 July 2026, new requirements apply to persons applying for a Light Passenger Transport Vehicle Driver Permit Tag.

Applicants must:

• hold a valid EU Category B driving licence for at least two (2) years; and
• have no more than six (6) penalty points at the time of application.

Drivers must continue to hold a valid driving licence and the appropriate Transport Malta Driver Permit Tag when operating a light passenger transport vehicle.

Operators are responsible for ensuring that drivers operating under their Operator Licence satisfy the applicable legal requirements and are legally employed or commissioned by the operator.

The number of authorised vehicles under an Operator Licence cannot exceed the number of drivers legally employed or commissioned by the operator and registered with Transport Malta.

For applications submitted on or before 28 July 2026, the eligibility requirements applicable before the new Regulations come into force continue to apply, provided that the application is complete.

7. Driving and Rest Periods

Operators must ensure that drivers comply with the applicable driving, working and rest requirements.

• A driver must not work for more than twelve (12) hours in any twenty-four (24) hour period.
• Drivers must also have at least one (1) day of rest every week.

Operators are responsible for organising drivers' work schedules so that these limits are respected.

These requirements apply whether services are provided through an intermediary booking platform or are independently arranged.

Operators must also ensure that the required records relating to drivers' working and rest periods are maintained and made available when requested for monitoring or enforcement purposes.

8. Number of Vehicles and Drivers

Operators must ensure that they have a sufficient number of drivers for the vehicles authorised under their Operator Licence.

The number of authorised vehicles under an Operator Licence cannot exceed the number of drivers legally employed or commissioned by the operator and registered with Transport Malta.

This means that an operator cannot have more authorised vehicles than registered drivers.

Where a driver is added to or removed from the operation, the operator must ensure that the relevant records with Transport Malta are updated accordingly.

Form LPTS010 shall be used to register the applicable driver details.

9. Operator Responsibility

Operators are responsible for ensuring that their operations continue to comply with the requirements applicable to their Operator Licence.

Operators must ensure that:

• their Operator Licence remains valid;
• vehicles operating under the licence are properly authorised and have valid documentation;
• drivers are legally employed or commissioned, registered with Transport Malta and hold the required valid driving licence and Driver Permit Tag;
• the number of authorised vehicles does not exceed the number of registered drivers;
• approved garaging facilities remain available and have sufficient capacity for the authorised vehicles;
• drivers comply with the applicable working and rest requirements; and
• information relating to the operator, vehicles, drivers, Operating Centre and garaging facilities is kept accurate and up to date.

Operators must inform Transport Malta of applicable changes to their operation and submit the required forms and supporting documentation.

Where records or documentation are required for regulatory, monitoring or enforcement purposes, these must be made available to Transport Malta or other authorised enforcement officers as required.

10. Administrative Penalties and Enforcement

The new Regulations introduce changes to the way certain infringements are enforced.

In particular, the enforcement system for breaches of the parking requirements has been revised so that a €500 penalty is not automatically imposed for every infringement.

Instead, a staggered system of enforcement and penalties applies for Garaging and Parking Infringements.

What Operators Need to Do

Operators should review their current operations and ensure that they comply with the requirements applicable from 29 July 2026.

In particular, operators should:

• identify whether their operation falls under LPTV1, LPTV2 or SOV;
• ensure that all vehicles are properly authorised under the applicable Operator Licence;
• ensure that the number of authorised vehicles does not exceed the number of drivers legally employed or commissioned and registered with Transport Malta;
• ensure that all drivers hold the required valid driving licence and Driver Permit Tag;
• ensure that approved garaging facilities are available and have sufficient capacity for the authorised vehicles;
• ensure that drivers understand and comply with the new parking rules and correctly use the official Transport Malta parking clock;
• ensure that drivers comply with the applicable working and rest requirements;
• where vehicles operate through an intermediary booking platform, ensure that the applicable platform and driver-verification requirements are followed; and
• ensure that SOV vehicles are not operated through intermediary booking platforms.

Operators should also ensure that the information held by Transport Malta concerning their operation, vehicles, drivers, Operating Centre and garaging facilities remains accurate and up to date.

Applicable Legislation

The information on this page provides a practical overview of the main changes affecting Light Passenger Transport Services from 29 July 2026.

Operators and drivers should refer to the applicable legislation for the complete legal requirements, including any transitional provisions that may apply.

The applicable regulations are:

• The Light Passenger Transport Services and Vehicle Hire Services Regulations - S.L. 499.68, and
• Legal Notice 171 of 2026 amending the above Regulations.
   

Page last updated: 24/07/2026