Transport Malta would like to notify that after 19 January, 2013, a number of new measures will come into force in line with the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations (Subsidiary Legislation 65.18), as a result of an EU Directive 2006/126/EC. The minimum requirements stipulated in the EU Directive have been transposed in Malta’s legislation, unless Malta’s legislation was already more onerous than the Directive’s requirements, as is the case in some motorcycle ages.
These measures include:
New minimum ages for categories C, CE, D and DE (including D1, D1E);
Reclassification of motorcycle categories, including a new Category AM for Mopeds, and new minimum ages for motorcycle categories;
Changes to the theory and practical tests for motorcycle categories.
Categories C, CE, D and DE (including C1, C1E, D1, D1E)
The new minimum ages applicable after the 19th January 2013, for these categories shall increase as per Column 3 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
Therefore anyone under the minimum ages listed in Column 3 above, will not be able to obtain a driving licence in these categories after the 19th January 2013.
If the applicant intend to drive a passenger transport vehicle (with more than eight passenger seats) or a heavy goods transport vehicle (with more than 3.5T) for hire or reward, as a professional driver they are also required to obtain a Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) issued by Transport Malta which involves additional training and testing.
This would allow applicants that would have done the additional training and testing to obtain this Driver CPC, to benefit from the reduced ages listed above in Column 4. Transport Malta has already launched the training and testing programme for passenger transport vehicles, and is in the process of finalizing the programme for goods transport vehicles, and will be publishing details at a later stage. In such cases, the driving licence will only be issued for those that meet the minimum ages list in Column 4, after the entire process is completed including the passing of all five modules listed below, in the order listed below:
Apply for and obtain the learner’s permit for the respective category;
Pass Module 1 which is the current theory test required to obtain the respective category;
Pass Module 4 which is the current practical test required to obtain the respective category;
Undergo the required training with an approved CPC training provider (details on approved CPC training providers can be found on www.transport.gov.mt)
Pass Modules 2 and 3 which are new CPC theory tests involving multiple choice questions and case studies;
Pass Module 5 which consists of a practical demonstration test.
After this process is completed, Transport Malta will issue the updated driving licence with the new categories, and Code 95 which indicates that the person has obtained the Certificate of Professional Competence.
Motorcycle Categories
As of the 19th January 2013, the motorcycle categories will be reclassified as follows and include, changes to the minimum age requirements and to the testing requirements:
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.
Transport Malta will be upon renewal, informing the licence holders of Motorcycles with their new classification of their licence category.
Progressing from one motorcycle licence category to another motorcycle licence category
One may progress from one category to another, without the need to redo certain tests, as detailed below.
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
One may obtain a licence in Category A without any progression, as long as the applicant meets the minimum age requirement of 24 years, and passes the respective theory and practical tests.
Changes to the theory and practical tests for motorcycle categories;
Theory Test
As explained in Section 2 of this circular, the Theory Tests for the motorcycle categories have been improved in line with the requirements of Annex II of Directive 2006/126. The structure and duration of the test will remain the same with multiple choice questions.
Practical Test
The practical test will be divided into three parts. Part 1 will include the technical and safety check including adjusting of the protective outfits, and will be carried out in a confined area.
A set of guidelines will be published by Transport Malta which will specify the minimum protective clothing to be worn during the practical test.
This will be followed by Part 2 with the candidate completing a series of manoeuvres around a designated track, to test the candidate’s riding skills and assess their ability to control the motorcycle. The manoeuvres for all Categories will be the same in terms of layout but will vary with regard to the minimum power of the motorcycle used, and to the speed with which the motorcycle is to be driven whilst the candidate is performing these manoeuvres. These will include:
Putting the motorcycle on and off its stand and moving it;
Parking the motorcycle on its stand;
Manoeuvres at slow speed including slalom;
Manoeuvres at a higher speed including the avoidance of obstacles;
Braking manoeuvres including emergency brake.
The duration of this part of the test will be around 10-15 minutes.
Part 3 will consist of on the road driving, as is the case today, where the driving examiner will provide directions whilst on route. This will consist of a variety of road conditions. The duration of this part of the test will be around 25 minutes.