Modifying an Existing Operator Licence

Operators must ensure that the information and details registered under their Operator Licence remain accurate and up to date.

If a change affects an existing LPTV1, LPTV2 or SOV Operator Licence, the operator must inform Transport Malta and submit the applicable documentation.

Form LPTS005 is used for changes relating to:

• Operator Licence details;
• the Operating Centre;
• the Operator Licence category;
• authorised vehicles; and
• approved garaging facilities.

More than one change may be requested on the same Form LPTS005.

Important – Changes to the Vehicle Registration Certificate (Logbook)

Certain changes may also require the details recorded on the Vehicle Registration Certificate (Logbook) to be updated.

This may apply, for example, where:

• the Operating Centre address changes;
• an authorised vehicle is transferred from one operator to another;
• there is a change of ownership of an authorised vehicle;
• a vehicle changes to or from SOV; or
• any other approved change results in details recorded on the Vehicle Registration Certificate having to be amended.

Where the Vehicle Registration Certificate must be updated, the original Vehicle Registration Certificate must be submitted and a fee of €10 per vehicle applies for the issue of the updated Vehicle Registration Certificate.

The update to the Vehicle Registration Certificate is carried out at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Unit (DVLU) Hall in Paola or Lija.

Where other changes are required at the same time, the applicable fees are payable separately.

Which Change Do You Need to Make?

1. Amend Operator Licence Details

Use Form LPTS005 where details recorded under the Operator Licence need to be amended.

The operator must provide the updated information and any supporting documentation applicable to the change.

Where the change requires the issue of an updated Operator Licence certificate, the original Operator Licence certificate must be submitted.

A fee of €25 applies for the reissue of the Operator Licence certificate.

Where the change also affects information recorded on the Vehicle Registration Certificate (Logbook), the Vehicle Registration Certificate must also be updated and the applicable €10 fee per vehicle applies.

2. Change the Operating Centre

Use Form LPTS005 to notify Transport Malta where the Operating Centre of the operator is changing.

The Operating Centre is the administrative office from which the operator coordinates and controls the passenger transport services and where the relevant records relating to the operation are kept.

The new Operating Centre details must be provided on the application form together with any applicable supporting documentation.

A change of Operating Centre is different from a change of garaging facility. The Operating Centre is where the operation is administered, while a Garaging Facility is the approved off-street location where authorised vehicles are garaged when they are not in use.

Where the change of Operating Centre requires the address recorded on the Vehicle Registration Certificate (Logbook) of the authorised vehicle(s) to be updated, the original Vehicle Registration Certificate for each affected vehicle must also be submitted.

A fee of €10 per vehicle applies for the update of the Vehicle Registration Certificate.

Where the change also requires the Operator Licence certificate to be reissued, the applicable €25 fee also applies.

3. Change the Operator Licence Category

Use Form LPTS005 where an operator wishes to change the category of an existing Operator Licence between LPTV1, LPTV2 and SOV.

The operator must indicate both the current category and the new category being requested.

The requirements applicable to the new category must be satisfied before the change can be approved.

Changing from LPTV1 to LPTV2

Where the operation will have five (5) or more authorised vehicles, the requirements applicable to an LPTV2 Operator Licence must be satisfied.

Changing from LPTV2 to LPTV1

The resulting operation must satisfy the requirements applicable to LPTV1, including having no more than four (4) authorised vehicles.

Changing from LPTV1 or LPTV2 to SOV

The operator and vehicles must satisfy the requirements applicable to SOV operations.

Vehicles authorised as SOVs may only provide eligible pre-booked passenger transport services and may not operate through intermediary booking platforms.

The vehicle registration plates must also be changed and the Vehicle Registration Certificate (Logbook) updated accordingly.

Changing from SOV to LPTV1 or LPTV2

The operator and vehicles must satisfy the requirements applicable to the new LPTV category.

The vehicle registration plates must also be changed and the Vehicle Registration Certificate (Logbook) updated accordingly.

Fees Where the Change Involves SOV

Where a vehicle changes to or from SOV, the following vehicle-related fees apply per vehicle:

• €70 for the change of registration plates; and
• €10 for the update of the Vehicle Registration Certificate (Logbook)

The change of plates and update of the Vehicle Registration Certificate are carried out at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Unit (DVLU) Hall in Paola or Lija.

These vehicle-related fees are separate from the applicable €25 fee for the reissue of the Operator Licence certificate.

Where the category change results in five (5) or more authorised vehicles under an LPTV2 or SOV Operator Licence, the additional requirements applicable at the five-vehicle threshold must also be satisfied.

4. Add an Authorised Vehicle

Use Form LPTS005 to apply to add one or more vehicles to an existing Operator Licence.

For each vehicle being added, provide the applicable vehicle details and supporting documentation, including the original Vehicle Registration Certificate (Logbook).

The following fees apply:

• €50 per vehicle being added to the Operator Licence; and
• €25 for the reissue of the Operator Licence certificate.

The Operator Licence certificate lists the registration numbers of the authorised vehicles. Therefore, whenever a vehicle is added, the Operator Licence certificate must be reissued to reflect the updated list of authorised vehicles.

Where adding the vehicle also requires information recorded on the Vehicle Registration Certificate to be amended, a further fee of €10 per vehicle applies for the update of the Vehicle Registration Certificate.

The operator must also ensure that sufficient approved garaging capacity and the applicable driver requirements are maintained.

Important:

• The number of authorised vehicles under the Operator Licence cannot exceed the number of drivers legally employed or commissioned by the operator and registered with Transport Malta.
• An LPTV1 Operator Licence may have a maximum of four (4) authorised vehicles. Where a fifth vehicle is to be added, the operator must change to LPTV2 and satisfy the applicable LPTV2 requirements.
• Where adding a vehicle brings an SOV Operator Licence to five (5) or more authorised vehicles, the additional requirements applicable at the five-vehicle threshold must be satisfied.

5. Remove an Authorised Vehicle

Use Form LPTS005 to apply to remove one or more vehicles from an existing Operator Licence.

For each vehicle being removed, the applicable vehicle details and supporting documentation must be provided.
The following fees apply:

• €50 per vehicle being removed from the Operator Licence; and
• €25 for the reissue of the Operator Licence certificate.

The Operator Licence certificate lists the registration numbers of the authorised vehicles.

Therefore, whenever a vehicle is removed, the Operator Licence certificate must be reissued to reflect the updated list of authorised vehicles.

Where the removal, or another associated change, requires information recorded on the Vehicle Registration Certificate (Logbook) to be amended, a further fee of €10 per vehicle applies for the update of the Vehicle Registration Certificate.

Where removing a vehicle affects the applicable Operator Licence category, the operator must also apply for the appropriate category change.

For example, where the number of vehicles authorised under an LPTV2 Operator Licence is reduced below five (5), the operator must change to the appropriate Operator Licence category.

6. Transfer an Authorised Vehicle Between Operators

An authorised vehicle may be transferred from one operator to another, subject to the applicable requirements.

Where a vehicle is transferred between operators, it must be:

• removed from the Operator Licence of the existing operator; and
• added to the Operator Licence of the receiving operator.

Both operators must submit the applicable Form LPTS005 and supporting documentation so that their respective Operator Licences and the vehicle records can be updated.

Existing Operator – Removing the Vehicle

The operator removing the vehicle from their Operator Licence must pay:

• €50 per vehicle being removed; and
• €25 for the reissue of their Operator Licence certificate.

Receiving Operator – Adding the Vehicle

The operator adding the vehicle to their Operator Licence must pay:

• €50 per vehicle being added; and
• €25 for the reissue of their Operator Licence certificate.

Both Operator Licence certificates must be reissued because the list of authorised vehicles shown on each certificate will change.

Where the transfer requires information recorded on the Vehicle Registration Certificate (Logbook) to be amended, the applicable €10 fee per vehicle also applies.

Where the transfer involves a vehicle changing to or from SOV, the applicable €70 registration plate fee per vehicle also applies.

Where there is also a change of ownership, the applicable vehicle ownership and registration requirements must be completed and the Vehicle Registration Certificate updated accordingly.

The vehicle may only operate under the receiving operator once all applicable changes to the Operator Licences, vehicle authorisation and vehicle registration records have been completed.

7. Add a Garaging Facility

Use Form LPTS005 to apply to add a garaging facility under an existing Operator Licence.

For each garaging facility, the following documents are to be submitted:

• a Site Plan (Form E);
• where the facility is leased, a copy of the lease agreement and a copy of the property owner's Identity Card; or
• where the facility is owned by the operator, documentary proof of ownership.

Where leased, the lease agreement must cover the full validity period of the Operator Licence.

For an LPTV2 Operator Licence, and for an SOV Operator Licence with five (5) or more authorised vehicles, the additional requirements applicable to garaging facilities must also be satisfied.

8. Remove a Garaging Facility

Use Form LPTS005 to apply to remove an approved garaging facility from the Operator Licence.

Before a garaging facility can be removed, the remaining approved garaging facilities must provide sufficient capacity to accommodate all vehicles authorised under the Operator Licence.

The operator must therefore ensure that removal of the facility will not result in insufficient approved garaging capacity.

Additional Requirements Where There Will Be Five or More Vehicles

Where, following the requested change, there will be five (5) or more authorised vehicles under an LPTV2 or SOV Operator Licence, additional requirements apply.

The operator must submit:

• completed Form LPTS011 – Declaration by a Warranted Architect for each garaging facility, confirming its vehicle capacity.
• a valid Planning Authority Development Permit for each garaging facility, confirming that the premises are authorised for use as a public service garage;
• a valid Tax Compliance Certificate; and
• an Auditor's Declaration confirming Financial Good Standing.

The combined approved capacity of all garaging facilities must be sufficient for the number of vehicles authorised, or intended to be authorised, under the Operator Licence.

Registering or Updating Drivers

Use Form LPTS010 to register or update drivers operating under the 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.

Accordingly, where an operator wishes to add an authorised vehicle, sufficient drivers must already be registered with Transport Malta. A vehicle will not be added to an Operator Licence where this requirement is not satisfied.

Fees at a Glance

 Important: More than one fee may apply to the same change.

For example, when a vehicle is transferred from one operator to another:

• the existing operator pays €50 to remove the vehicle and €25 for the reissue of their Operator Licence certificate;
• the receiving operator pays €50 to add the vehicle and €25 for the reissue of their Operator Licence certificate; and
• where the Vehicle Registration Certificate must be updated, the applicable €10 fee per vehicle also applies.

Where the vehicle is also changing to or from SOV, the applicable €70 registration plate fee per vehicle also applies.

Submit Your Application

Submit the completed and signed Form LPTS005, together with all applicable supporting documentation, original certificates where required and the applicable fees, to Transport Malta.

Applications are to be submitted at the Operations & Projects Unit, Transport Malta, A3 Towers, Triq l-Arkata, Paola. For addresses and opening hours check here.

Transport Malta will assess the requested changes and may request further information or documentation where required.

Where an approved change requires an update to the Vehicle Registration Certificate and/or replacement of the vehicle registration plates, the applicable vehicle registration process must also be completed at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Unit (DVLU) Hall in Paola or Lija.

Changes requiring Transport Malta approval should not be implemented until the applicable change has been approved and the relevant Operator Licence, vehicle records, Vehicle Registration Certificate and registration plates, where applicable, have been updated.

Relevant Forms

• LPTS005 – Application for Changes to an Operator Licence for Light Passenger Transport Services
• LPTS010 – Registration of Drivers Employed or Commissioned by the Operator for the Carriage of Passengers
• LPTS011 – Declaration by a Warranted Architect

Always use the latest version of the applicable forms, downloaded from Transport Malta's website.

Need More Information?

For further information on changes to Operator Licences, authorised vehicles, vehicle transfers, changes of ownership, licence categories, garaging facilities, drivers and applicable fees, consult the Frequently Asked Questions.

Page Last Updated: 24/07/2026