A new national scheme will open from 1 January 2026, through which young people up to the age of 30 may choose to voluntarily surrender their driving licence for a period of five years, in return for a total financial incentive of €25,000. The fund allocated for this scheme amounts to €5 million.

The €25,000 grant will be paid over five years, at €5,000 per year, and is subject to the condition that the driving licence remains suspended throughout that period. The scheme will operate on a first-come, first-served basis. This initiative continues to place choice and incentives at the centre of decision-making, with the aim of changing mindsets and how we view mobility, placing greater emphasis on alternative means of transport, the government said.

These details were announced during a conference addressed by the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works, Chris Bonett, and the Chief Executive Officer of Transport Malta, Kurt Farrugia. 

Minister Chris Bonett said that this scheme is designed to create a more attractive option that fosters a new culture among the younger generation. "We are offering a strong incentive to those who want to change the way they travel. We believe that young people can be the catalysts for the change our country needs in the field of mobility, where the car no longer remains the only means of transport one considers. For this reason, we will be directly supporting those who wish to be part of this change," Minister Bonett said.

The Minister said that this scheme forms part of a long-term vision in which the Government is offering various measures and incentives to create new mobility models that provide more choice in how people travel. Among these is an increase in maritime connections through a ferry system linking the south and north of the country. "These models offer greater flexibility and, gradually, reduce pressure on our roads," Minister Bonett concluded. 

The Chief Executive Officer of Transport Malta, Kurt Farrugia, said that the Authority will administer the scheme in a transparent and structured manner. "Transport Malta will ensure that the application and payment process is clear, consistent, and monitored through rigorous controls. The scheme is designed to provide certainty to applicants while safeguarding the public interest at the same time," Farrugia concluded.

Details regarding the eligibility criteria and the application process can be accessed from the Transport Malta website.