Malta suspends your license when you accumulate 12 or more penalty points within a 12-month period

The Maltese driving license points system is a cumulative penalty structure. Every traffic violation you commit adds points to your record. Once you reach 12 points in any rolling 12-month window, the Roads Authority (Awtorità tal-Istatizzjoni tal-Vapur u l-Istatizzjoni tal-Istatizzjoni) automatically suspends your license for a minimum of one month. The suspension is not optional — it is a mandatory administrative action triggered by the points threshold.

The 12-month period is not a calendar year. It is a rolling window that moves forward each day. If you received 6 points on January 15, 2024, and 7 points on January 10, 2025, your license is suspended when ready because you have 13 points within the past 12 months. Points do not expire after 12 months; they straightforward fall out of the active counting window once that period passes.

Different violations carry different point values. A minor infraction like a parking violation might add 1 point, while dangerous driving or driving under the influence can add 8 or more points in a single incident. The severity of the violation determines how quickly you can accumulate the 12-point threshold.

Key Takeaways

  • Your license is suspended automatically when you reach 12 penalty points within any 12-month rolling period; there is no discretion or appeal that stops the suspension from taking effect.
  • The 12-month window is rolling, not calendar-based, so points from January of one year can combine with points from January of the next year if they fall within the same 12-month span.
  • Serious violations like dangerous driving, speeding over 40 km/h above the limit, or driving under the influence carry 6 to 8 points per incident and can trigger suspension much faster than minor infractions.
  • Once suspended, you must wait a minimum of one month before you can request reinstatement, and you may be required to pass a theory test or medical examination depending on the reason for suspension.
  • Points remain on your record for 12 months from the date of the violation; they do not disappear after suspension ends.

Common violations and their point values in Malta

The Maltese traffic code assigns points based on the seriousness of the breach. Minor infractions — such as parking violations, failure to display a parking disc, or minor equipment defects — typically carry 1 to 2 points. These accumulate slowly and are unlikely to trigger suspension on their own unless you commit many of them.

Moderate violations include speeding up to 20 km/h over the limit (3 points), failure to wear a seatbelt (3 points), using a mobile phone while driving (3 points), and not carrying required documents (2 points). A driver who commits three or four of these within a year can reach the 12-point threshold.

Serious violations carry much higher point penalties. Speeding 21 to 40 km/h over the limit is 6 points; speeding more than 40 km/h over the limit is 8 points. Dangerous driving, reckless driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are each 8 points. A single serious violation can consume two-thirds of your points allowance, leaving little room for error.

The Roads Authority publishes the full points schedule, but the exact point value for a specific violation can depend on the circumstances. For example, a speeding violation in a residential zone may carry more points than the same speed in an open area. Always check the official notice you receive with your violation to confirm the points assigned.

How the suspension process works after you hit 12 points

When you accumulate 12 points, the Roads Authority does not send you a warning. The suspension takes effect automatically, and you will receive an official notice in the mail informing you that your license is suspended and the date the suspension began. This notice is your formal notification; you cannot drive legally from that date forward.

The minimum suspension period is one month from the date the notice is issued. You cannot request early reinstatement or appeal the suspension itself — the points system is automatic and non-discretionary. However, you can request reinstatement once the one-month period has passed.

To request reinstatement, you must contact the Roads Authority in writing or visit their office in person. You will need to provide your license number, personal identification, and proof that the suspension period has ended. Depending on the reason for suspension, you may also be required to pass a theory test (a written or computer-based exam on traffic rules) or undergo a medical examination to confirm you are fit to drive.

If your suspension was triggered by a violation related to impaired driving or a serious safety breach, the Roads Authority is more likely to require a medical or psychological assessment before reinstatement. If it was triggered by accumulation of minor violations, a theory test is the more common requirement.

What happens if you drive while suspended

Driving with a suspended license in Malta is a criminal offense, not straightforward a traffic violation. You face a fine (the amount varies depending on the court and circumstances, but can be substantial), possible imprisonment, and additional penalty points added to your record once your suspension ends. The new points can push you toward another suspension when ready after reinstatement.

If you are caught driving while suspended, the police will issue you a report and you will be summoned to appear in court. The case is heard by a magistrate, and conviction results in a criminal record in addition to the financial penalty. This is a serious consequence and one of the main reasons drivers should take the 12-point threshold seriously.

Insurance companies also view driving while suspended as a major red flag. Even after your license is reinstated, your insurance premiums will increase significantly, and some insurers may refuse to cover you altogether.

How to check your current points balance

You can check how many points are currently on your license by visiting the Roads Authority office in person or by requesting a points statement in writing. You will need to provide your license number and personal identification. Some online services may also allow you to check your balance through the Roads Authority website, though the availability of online checking varies.

It is a good idea to check your points balance every few months, especially if you have received violations. This way you can see how close you are to the 12-point threshold and adjust your driving behavior accordingly. If you are approaching 10 or 11 points, you are in the danger zone — even a single moderate violation will trigger suspension.

If you believe a violation was recorded in error or if you have paid a fine but the points have not been removed from your record, contact the Roads Authority to request a review. Errors do occur, and the authority can correct them if you provide documentation of the mistake.

Reducing points through safe driving or other means

Malta's points system does not offer a formal way to reduce points through safe driving courses or defensive driving programs. Points remain on your record for the full 12-month period from the date of the violation. Once 12 months have passed since a violation, that violation's points drop out of the active counting window and no longer count toward the 12-point suspension threshold.

However, points do not disappear from your permanent driving record. They remain visible to insurance companies and to the Roads Authority for a longer period (typically several years), even after they stop counting toward suspension. This is why your insurance premiums may stay elevated even after your points fall below the suspension threshold.

The only way to prevent accumulation is to avoid violations. There is no points amnesty, no points forgiveness program, and no way to "buy down" your points. If you are close to 12 points, your only option is to drive carefully and avoid any further violations until the oldest violations age out of the 12-month window.

Reinstatement requirements and what to expect

After your one-month suspension period ends, you must formally request reinstatement from the Roads Authority. straightforward waiting out the month does not automatically restore your license. You must take action.

The reinstatement process typically involves submitting a written request to the Roads Authority with your license number and personal details. You may be asked to attend an appointment at their office. At that appointment, you will be informed whether you need to pass a theory test, undergo a medical examination, or both.

If a theory test is required, you will be given a date to sit the exam. This is a written or computer-based test covering Maltese traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You must pass the test to be reinstated. If you fail, you can retake it, but there may be a waiting period between attempts.

If a medical examination is required, you will be referred to an approved medical examiner who will assess your fitness to drive. This is more common if your suspension was related to a health issue, impaired driving, or a serious safety violation. The examination is at your own cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I appeal my license suspension if I think the points were assigned unfairly?

You cannot appeal the suspension itself — it is automatic once you reach 12 points. However, you can appeal the original violation and the points assigned to it if you believe the violation was recorded in error or if you have evidence that you did not commit it. This appeal must be filed with the Roads Authority or in court, depending on the type of violation. If your appeal succeeds and the violation is overturned, the points are removed and your suspension may be lifted.

What if I reach 12 points but I am in the middle of a court case about one of the violations?

The suspension takes effect regardless of whether a violation is still being contested in court. If you later win your case and the violation is overturned, you can request that the points be removed and your suspension be lifted retroactively. However, you cannot drive legally while the suspension is in place, even if you believe the underlying violation was unjust.

Do points from violations in other EU countries count toward my Malta suspension threshold?

Malta has reciprocal agreements with other EU countries for serious violations, particularly those involving safety or impaired driving. However, minor violations committed abroad typically do not automatically transfer to your Maltese record. If you are convicted of a serious offense in another EU country, Malta may be notified and points may be added to your Maltese license. Check with the Roads Authority if you have received a violation abroad.

How long do points stay on my record after suspension ends?

Points stop counting toward the 12-point suspension threshold 12 months after the violation date. However, they remain visible on your driving record for several years and continue to affect your insurance premiums. Insurance companies can see your full points history, even points that are no longer active for suspension purposes.

If I lose my license to suspension, can I use a provisional or learner's license to drive?

No. A suspension applies to all categories of your license. You cannot drive any vehicle during the suspension period, regardless of license type. Attempting to drive on a provisional or learner's license while your full license is suspended is still driving while suspended and carries the same criminal penalties.