Transfering an Operator Licence

An existing Light Passenger Transport Services Operator Licence may be transferred to another person or entity, subject to the applicable requirements and approval by Transport Malta.

The transfer process applies to:

• LPTV1 Operator Licences;
• LPTV2 Operator Licences; and
• SOV Operator Licences.

A transfer of an Operator Licence is different from the transfer of an individual authorised vehicle between operators. Where only a vehicle is being transferred from one operator to another, the process for making changes to an existing Operator Licence applies.

For guidance on how to make changes to an Existing Operator Licence, follow this link.

How to Apply for a Transfer

Form LPTS002 shall be used.

The application must include the details of the existing licence holder and the person or entity to whom the Operator Licence is being transferred, together with all applicable supporting documentation.

The proposed new operator must satisfy the requirements applicable to the category of Operator Licence being transferred.

The Operator Licence may only be transferred once the application has been assessed and approved by Transport Malta.

Requirements for the New Operator

The person or entity taking over the Operator Licence must satisfy the applicable requirements to operate a Light Passenger Transport Service.

This includes the applicable requirements relating to:

• the operator;
• the Operating Centre;
• approved garaging facilities;
• authorised vehicles;
• registered drivers; and
• any additional requirements applicable to the Operator Licence category.

The information and supporting documentation submitted with the transfer application must reflect the operation that will be carried out by the new operator following the transfer.

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

Requirements According to Licence Category

For an LPTV1 Operator Licence, the operation must continue to have between one (1) and four (4) authorised vehicles and satisfy the requirements applicable to LPTV1.

For an LPTV2 Operator Licence, the operation must have five (5) or more authorised vehicles and satisfy all requirements applicable to LPTV2, including the additional requirements relating to garaging capacity, Planning Authority authorisation, tax compliance and financial standing.

For an SOV Operator Licence, the new operator must satisfy the requirements applicable to SOV operations. SOV vehicles may only provide eligible pre-booked passenger transport services and may not operate through intermediary booking platforms.

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

Garaging Facilities

The new operator must have approved garaging facilities sufficient for the vehicles that will operate under the transferred Operator Licence.

The applicable garaging facilities must be declared on Form LPTS002 and the required supporting documentation submitted.

Where a garaging facility is leased, the applicable lease agreement and a copy of the property owner’s Identity Card must be submitted.

Where a garaging facility is owned by the new operator, documentary proof of ownership must be submitted.
A Site Plan (Form E) must also be submitted for each garaging facility.

The lease agreement must cover the applicable validity period required for the Operator Licence following the transfer.

Additional Requirements for LPTV2 and SOV with Five or More Vehicles

For the transfer of an LPTV2 Operator Licence, and an SOV Operator Licence with five (5) or more authorised vehicles, the applicable additional documentation must be submitted, including:

• Form LPTS011 – Declaration 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 Statement confirming the operator’s good financial standing.

The combined approved capacity of all garaging facilities must be sufficient to accommodate all vehicles authorised under the Operator Licence.

Drivers

The new operator must ensure that all drivers operating under the transferred Operator Licence satisfy the applicable legal requirements and are legally employed or commissioned by the new operator.

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

Form LPTS010 must be submitted, as applicable, to register the drivers under the new operator.

Authorised Vehicles

Where authorised vehicles will continue to operate under the Operator Licence following the transfer, the relevant vehicle records must also be updated to reflect the new operator.

The original Vehicle Registration Certificate (Logbook) for each affected vehicle must be submitted for the required changes.

A fee of €10 per vehicle applies for the issue of an updated Vehicle Registration Certificate.

The vehicle registration updates are carried out at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Unit (DVLU) Hall in Paola or Lija.

Where the transfer also involves a change of ownership of a vehicle, the applicable vehicle ownership and registration requirements must also be completed.

SOV Vehicles

Where SOV vehicles remain authorised as SOV vehicles following the transfer, their registration records must be updated to reflect the new operator. A transfer of the SOV Operator Licence does not, in itself, require a change from SOV registration plates.

Where, as part of a separate approved change, a vehicle changes to or from SOV, a fee of €70 per vehicle applies for the change of registration plates, together with the applicable €10 fee per vehicle for the update of the Vehicle Registration Certificate.

Operator Licence Transfer Fees

The applicable fee for the transfer of an Operator Licence depends on the licence category:

The applicable transfer fee must be paid when submitting the application to transfer the Operator Licence.

Any other fees arising from the transfer, including fees relating to the updating of Vehicle Registration Certificates (Logbooks), vehicle ownership details or registration plates, where applicable, are payable separately.

Submit Your Transfer Application

Submit the completed and signed Form LPTS002, together with all applicable supporting documentation and the applicable transfer fee.

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

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

The transfer must be approved by Transport Malta before the new operator may operate under the Operator Licence.

Once the transfer is approved, all applicable Operator Licence and vehicle records must be updated accordingly.

Page last updated: 24/07/2026