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Malta Puts a Price on Not Driving

Malta is trying to buy a little breathing room from the automobile. On an island where cars crowd the asphalt and congestion hangs around like cigar smoke, the government is offering young residents 25,000 euros — about $28,650 — to give up their driver’s licenses for five years.

The plan, called the “Driving License Surrender Scheme,” targets drivers aged 30 or younger. To qualify, a person must have lived in Malta at least seven years, held a license for no less than 12 months, and have no record of suspension or revocation. The money comes in five annual payments of 5,000 euros. Quit early and the recipient has to pay back the appropriate share.

Transport Minister Chris Bonett says the scheme aims to produce a “mobility shock,” especially before dependence on private cars hardens into reflex. In a country with one of Europe’s highest vehicle densities, that sounds less like a slogan than a survival tactic.

Malta has set aside €5 million a year, enough for 1,000 participants annually. Early response has reportedly been strong, suggesting that for plenty of younger drivers, cash has more pull than a steering wheel.

There’s a catch with teeth: once a license is surrendered, it is treated as permanently suspended. After the five years are up, getting back behind the wheel means taking 15 hours of driving lessons and earning a new license.

Posted on 17 May 2026