🚕 How to Get a Taxi Driver Tag in Malta (Step‑by‑Step Guide)

If you want to drive a taxi legally in Malta, you must first obtain a Taxi Driver Permit and Tag from Transport Malta. This is mandatory — you are not allowed to drive a taxi or Y‑plate vehicle without it.

This guide covers all the essential requirements and a practical route you can follow — especially if you are a non‑EU (e.g., Nepali) national.

📌 What Is a Taxi Tag?

A Taxi Tag is an official identity tag issued by Transport Malta that legally permits you to drive a licensed taxi in Malta.
Every driver must wear this tag while on duty.

🧑‍⚖️ Who Is Eligible?

To get a Taxi Tag, you must meet these basic requirements:

✔️ 1. Driving Licence

You must hold a Category B driving licence (standard car licence).

👉 Important for TCNs:
As per recent rules, non‑EU nationals (including Nepalis) must hold a Maltese or EU‑issued licence to qualify for a taxi tag — mere foreign licences are no longer enough.

✔️ 2. Taxi Driver & Area Knowledge Certificate (TDAKC)

This is a specialised qualification required to demonstrate your knowledge of Malta’s routes, safety rules, and taxi‑specific skills.

✔️ 3. Medical Fitness

You must provide a medical certificate proving you are fit for long‑distance driving.

✔️ 4. Good Conduct

You must be of good repute and conduct — generally proven through police clearance certificates from Malta and other countries where you lived.

✔️ 5. Language

You need to be fluent in English or Maltese to communicate with passengers and pass the tests.

📚 Step‑by‑Step Process to Get the Taxi Tag

Here’s the standard route that Transport Malta expects you to follow:

Step 1: Get Your Driving Licence Sorted

If you already have a Maltese or EU licence, you can proceed with the taxi application.
If you don’t, you’ll need to convert your foreign licence to a Maltese licence or complete the Maltese driving licence process first — typically by passing local theory and practical tests. (This is essential for TCNs under new rules.)

Step 2: Complete the Taxi Training Course (TDAKC)

This includes:

📌 A 46‑hour training course provided by an approved training provider. This course covers:

Vehicle safety and features
Rules of the road
Routes and destinations
Interpersonal skills and customer service
Language expectations (English/Maltese)

📌 Theory Test
After the course, you’ll sit a multiple‑choice theory exam (in English or Maltese).

📌 Practical Test
You’ll also undertake a practical taxi driving test in real road conditions, including route planning and vehicle checks.

Step 3: On‑Road Experience

Once you pass the tests:

👉 You are required to accompany a licensed taxi driver for a total of 40 hours — including at least 10 night hours.
This must be recorded in an official logbook.

Step 4: Submit Your Full Application

You’ll submit:

📌 Form DPA‑11 (Application for Taxi Driver Permit Tag)
📌 Licence copy
📌 Medical certificate
📌 Training attendance certificate
📌 Theory test pass certificate
📌 Practical test pass report
📌 40‑hour logbook
📌 Criminal record certificate
📌 Fee payment ✍️

Send them to:

Transport Malta – Road Transport Licensing Unit
A3 Towers, Triq l‑Arkata, Paola PLA 1212, Malta.

Step 5: Get the Taxi Tag

Once Transport Malta verifies everything and approves your application:

✅ Your taxi driver tag and permit get issued
👉 The permit/tag is generally valid for up to 5 years, aligned with your driving licence validity.

📝 Costs & Fees (Approximate)

Taxi training course fees — varies (~€300+ depending on provider).
Practical test booking — around €23.25.
Admin fees for tag issuance — varies (Transport Malta charges).

⚠️ Important Tips for Non‑EU Nationals (TCNs)

✅ Convert your foreign licence to a Maltese licence first.
Without a Maltese licence, you cannot apply for a taxi tag under current regulations.

✅ Start your criminal conduct checks early — getting records from abroad can take time.

✅ Book your training and tests as soon as possible — slots fill up quickly.

📅 How Long Does It Take?

✔️ Taxi training: ~1–2 weeks (46 hours over a few days).
✔️ Tests & processing: Weeks to months (depending on availability and document verification).

📌 Summary

To summarise:

Hold or obtain a Maltese/EU driving licence.
Undergo taxi training and pass the theory + practical tests.
Complete supervised driving hours.
Apply to Transport Malta with all paperwork.
Receive your official Taxi Driver Tag.

Monday, January 12, 2026

🚕 How to Get a Taxi Driver Tag in Malta (Step‑by‑Step Guide)