How to Get a Category A1 Driving Licence in Malta?

Since 1 January 2016, Maltese car drivers have had a genuine shortcut to riding a 125cc motorcycle without sitting a full A1 exam, though it comes with real limits worth understanding before you rely on it. This piece covers what Category A1 authorizes at 18, the car-license shortcut in detail, the exact 2026 fees from several Maltese motoring schools, and the residency rule every applicant needs to meet.

What Category A1 covers

A1 authorizes motorcycles with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 125cc, power not exceeding 11 kW, and a power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0.1 kW/kg, as well as motor tricycles with power not exceeding 15 kW.

Minimum age

You need to be 18 to hold an A1 in Malta, two years above the EU baseline of 16, consistent with several other member states that have raised their motorcycle category ages.

Where A1 sits in Malta’s motorcycle system

Malta runs three motorcycle categories. A1 (18) is the entry tier, covering up to 125cc/11kW. A2 (20) covers up to 35kW, with a power-to-weight ratio no higher than 0.2 kW/kg, provided it isn’t derived from a vehicle of more than double that power. Full Category A, unrestricted, needs 22 with at least two years’ A2 experience, or 24 for direct access.

The Permit B / code 111 shortcut for car license holders

This is genuinely worth knowing before booking a full A1 course. Since 1 January 2016, Maltese Category B (car) license holders can gain the right to ride motorcycles up to 125cc and 11 kW without sitting a separate A1 exam, by completing a training course covering five modules: an introduction, on-site theory, practical on-site riding, practical on-road training, and practical on-road riding. Once you finish, you receive a certificate, which you present to Transport Malta so they can endorse national code 111 onto your existing license.

The catch: this entitlement is valid only within Malta, doesn’t appear on your license as a genuine A1 category, and comes with a specific restriction: you’re not permitted to carry a pillion passenger while riding under this code. If you want to carry a passenger, ride abroad, or want the entitlement to count toward staged access to A2, you need the standard, full A1 route instead.

The residency requirement

To apply for any Category A license in Malta, you need a Maltese ID card or residence card, and you must have been resident in Malta for more than 185 days (six months) during the last calendar year.

The application process

Applications for a Learner’s Permit are processed online through licenzji-xufiera.gov.mt. Once Transport Malta vets and approves your application (including photo quality), your medical doctor completes an online fitness confirmation. After payment, your Learner Permit is issued automatically. This permit allows you to train on the road under instruction on all days except Sundays and public holidays, and is valid for three years. During training, you must display an L-plate on your motorcycle: red for a private instructor, green for a motoring school vehicle.

Choosing between a licensed school and a private instructor

You can train through either a licensed motoring school or a non-licensed but Transport Malta-authorized driving instructor. Whichever you choose, your instructor must wear their official Transport Malta authorization tag during instruction, and you’re free to switch schools or instructors at any point during training by completing a simple form, with no fee for doing so.

The theory test

Passing the theory test is a prerequisite for sitting any practical test under Category A. You can book an appointment at the Theory Test Center by phone or online, and study materials, including a highway code download and mock tests, are available through Transport Malta and affiliated websites.

The practical test

The practical test runs in two parts: the first covers 8 exercises, including slow maneuvers and braking; the second is conducted on the road.

What it costs

Real 2026 pricing from Maltese motoring schools varies by provider. ThrottleX Motoring School charges a €60 application fee, €20 per 45-minute lesson, a €30.25 theory test fee, and an €80 practical test fee. Smart Motoring School’s €60 application fee includes the Transport Malta fee (€23.25) and vehicle damage insurance (€36.75), with lessons at €22 per hour. Royal Motoring offers an all-inclusive A1 package around €225 (covering the doctor’s certificate, permit, insurance, and Transport Malta fee), with lessons at €25 per hour and a €100 final test fee. Most schools charge a cancellation fee if a lesson isn’t canceled at least 24 hours in advance. Some schools also charge a small administrative fee, around €20, if you need to change your registered category after starting fewer than 10 lessons.

Automatic versus manual transmission

You can choose to train and test on either an automatic or a manual motorcycle. Complete your course on an automatic, and your license will be restricted to automatic machines only; train on a manual, and you’re permitted to ride manual, semi-automatic, and automatic bikes alike.

Upgrading from A1 to A2, and onward to full Category A

Moving up the ladder follows Malta’s standard staged-access model, with practical training and testing required at each stage rather than repeating theory content already passed. The code-111 shortcut described above does not count toward this staged access; only a genuine, exam-obtained A1 does.

Validity

A Maltese driving license is valid across all EU member states, except for national-only categories, such as the code 111 entitlement, which remains Malta-specific.

Foreign residents and license exchange

EU, Swiss, and Australian driving license holders go through an Exchange of License process before applying further. Holders of licenses from other countries must complete a DRV029 declaration at the application stage before a license can be issued.

Tips that actually help

• If you already hold a Maltese car license and only want occasional access to a 125cc without a pillion, the code 111 shortcut is faster and cheaper than a full A1 course.
• If you plan to carry a passenger or ride abroad, get the genuine A1 license through the standard route instead.
• Confirm your residency documentation meets the 185-day rule before applying.
• Compare motoring school pricing carefully, since application fees, lesson rates, and what’s included in package prices vary significantly between providers.

Where this fits going forward

A1 in Malta is genuinely accessible, particularly given the code 111 shortcut for existing car drivers. If your plans extend toward professional driving down the line, take a look at the driver section, browse current vacancies, or see who’s hiring among employers on FastDriver.eu, alongside our broader job guides. Our driving license in Malta and license eligibility pages cover the broader picture.

Declaration

This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Fees, training requirements, and administrative rules can change and may vary between motoring schools in Malta. Always confirm current requirements with the official Maltese sources before making decisions, such as Transport Malta. FastDriver.eu accepts no liability for decisions made based on this information.