Changes to minimum ages and test requirements of driving licences issued
New minimum ages for driving licences categories C, CE, D and D1E are being introduced as from January 19.
The minimum age of category B licences, which is the licence for normal passenger cars, remains unchanged.
Transport Malta said the changes were in line with an EU directive, which has been transposed in Malta's legislation.
Other measures to be taken include the reclassification of motorcycle categories, including the introduction of a new category for mopeds and new minimum ages for motorcycle categories, and changes to the theory and practical tests for motorcycle categories.
The changes can be seen in the tables below:
|
Category |
Description |
Minimum Age to Obtain the Category Licence |
||
|
|
|
Column 2 Up to the 18th January 2013 |
Column 3 As of the 19th January 2013 (where a person does not hold a Driver CPC) |
Column 4 As of the 19th January 2013 (where a person holds a Driver CPC) |
|
C1, C1E |
Motor vehicles with a max authorised mass of between 3,500kg and 7,500kg; motor vehicles in this sub-category may be combined with a trailer having a max authorised mass which does not exceed 750kg. C1E refers to a combination of C1 vehicle and trailer having a max authorised mass of over 750kg, provided the max authorised mass of the combination does not exceed 12,000kg and that the max authorised mass of the trailer does not exceed the unladen mass of the tractor vehicle. |
19 |
19 (same) |
19 (same) |
|
C, CE |
Motor vehicles with a max authorised mass exceeding 3,500kg; motor vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer having a max authorised mass which does not exceed 750kg. CE refers to a combination of a category C vehicle with trailer having a max authorised mass over 750kg. |
19 |
21 |
19 |
|
D1, D1E |
Motor vehicles used for the carriage of no more than 16 passengers in addition to the driver and with a maximum length not exceeding 8 metres. Motor vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer having a max authorised mass not exceeding 750kg. D1E refers to a combination of D1 vehicle and trailer having a max authorised mass of over 750kg. |
20 |
21 |
20 |
|
D, DE |
Motor vehicles used for the carriage of more than eight passengers in addition to the driver; D category vehicles can be combined with a trailer having a max authorized mass which does not exceed 750kg. DE is a combination of D category vehicle and trailer having a maximum authorised mass exceeding 750kg. |
20 |
24 |
21 |
|
Category |
Description of Category |
Current Minimum Age |
New Minimum Age (as of January 2013) |
Tests Required |
|
AM |
Two-wheel vehicles (mopeds) or three-wheel vehicles with a maximum design speed of not more than 45 km/h
Light quadricycles with a maximum design speed of not more than 45 km/h, and a power output not exceeding 4 kW in the case of other internal combustion engines, or whose maximum continuous rated power does not exceed 4 kW in the case of an electric motor. |
N/A as this is a new category |
18 years |
Theory: New test for Category AM which is identical to Category A1
Practical: New test of around 40m including on road driving, and manoeuvres in a confined area. |
|
A1 |
Motorcycles with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 125cc, and of a power not exceeding 11 kW, and with a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.1 kW/kg,
Motor tricycles with a power not exceeding 15 kW. |
18 years |
18 years |
Theory: The existing test for Category A1 has been improved in line with the requirements of Annex II of Directive 2006/126.
Practical: Test of around 40m including new manoeuvres in a confined area. |
|
A2 |
Motorcycles of a power not exceeding 35 kW and with a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.2 kW/kg and not derived from a vehicle of more than double its power.
This replaces Category A |
18 years |
20 years |
Theory: The existing test for Category A (now reclassified as A2) has been improved in line with the requirements of Annex II of Directive 2006/126.
Practical: Test of around 40m including new manoeuvres in a confined area. |
|
A |
Motorcycles having a power exceeding 35kW and an engine power output of at least 40kW (53.6bhp).
Motor tricycles with a power exceeding 15 kW.
This replaces Category A+ |
21 years |
Either 22 years and at least two years’ experience with Category A2; or at least 24 years for direct access |
Theory: The existing test for Category A+ (now reclassified as A) has been improved in line with the requirements of Annex II of Directive 2006/126.
Practical: Test of around 40m including new manoeuvres in a confined area. |
|
Progression |
Minimum experience |
Theory Test |
Practical Test |
|
Category AM to A1 |
None required |
No test required |
Must pass test for A1 |
|
Category A1 to A2 |
None required |
Must pass test for A2 |
Must pass test for A2 |
|
Category A2 to A |
Two years in A2 |
No test required |
Must pass test for A |
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8 Comments
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Emanuele Grimaldi
Dec 8th 2012, 03:09
Why should I have to do another theoretical test if I already hold various other categories of licence? Besides milking out money, what is the purpose? Signs and road principles are exactly the same, correct me if I am wrong,...
Jay Oatmon
Dec 7th 2012, 23:29
Of course rules and regulations are only part of the answer, we still need enforcement on the uninsured, those with no driving licenses and banned drivers etc. There should be a database of insured cars and licensed drivers the police can access in their patrol cars.
O. Grixti
Dec 7th 2012, 20:09
I think this would help well done. But why not introduce some sort of cc restriction also on 4wheels,cars. Ex,18y max 13 to 14cc and then 21y u can buy the rest. This would be more fair and safer for our roads
Joseph Vassallo, (Bugibba)
Dec 7th 2012, 17:13
So where are the requirements of a PSV licence (Passenger Service Vehicle) for bus drivers? This is an essential in other countries but here passengers (especially those standing) are thrown about like rag dolls because of jerky driving and avoidable sudden braking.
Desmond Mangion
Dec 7th 2012, 20:18
Psv is category d and d1
Paul Barrett
Dec 7th 2012, 16:44
Wow, glad that is simple then (not)!
Keith Davis
Dec 7th 2012, 16:25
Well done.
We hope to see a further gradual increase to the minimum age also for normal passenger cars and more stricter tests. This could reduce the number of vehicles on the road, would mean less immature drivers and ultimately should reduce accidents, injuries and fatalities.
Reuben D. Spiteri
Dec 7th 2012, 20:14
Mr Davis.
Most (if not all) serious traffic accidents is caused due to immaturity which cannot be filtered by a skills test. I could be the best driver but decide I want to floor the gas pedal and consequences be damned. A skilled driver can be a total jerk at the wheel.
Please choose the reason of your report below: