Malta license plate (M) in 2026 ✅
Maltese car number plates since 1995 use the standard European size in black letters on a white background. The Euroband with the code M is displayed on the left side of Maltese number plates. The configuration of Maltese number plates is three letters and three numbers in series, with the first letter indicating the month of registration.
Language: Maltese and English
International code: M
In Malta they drive on the left
First plate was registered on: 1916.
There are 6 9 3 cars per 1000 inhabitants.
Continent: Europe
Table of contents of Malta license plates
Current Maltese License Plate System
License plates in Malta since November 1995 for the current standard system use plates measuring 520x110 mm (mm), with black characters on a white background and displaying the EU stripe with the letter M on the left. The configuration of Malta car license plates is AAA-001, starting with number 001. The first letter on Maltese car plates identifies the month of first registration. In case of change of ownership, the plate does not need to be changed. If the first letter is M or higher, it usually indicates a "chosen" (personalized) plate. (See personalized)
Check what the first letter of a Maltese plate means
Official tool of matriculasdelmundo.com
| First letter | Registration month |
|---|---|
| A, M, Y | January |
| B, N, Z | February |
| C, O | March |
| D, P | April |
| E, Q | May |
| F, R | June |
| G, S | July |
| H, T | August |
| I, U | September |
| J, V | October |
| K, W | November |
| L, X | December |
Malta license plate sizes
Maltese plates can use different sizes. Standard plates use the European format, but other sizes are also available including smaller lettering. Vehicles with limited space use 300x150 mm plates, mainly for imports from Japan, which are very common.
Motorcycle license plates
Maltese motorcycle plates use the same configuration as cars, but with different dimensions and a two-line layout. Sizes include 255x250 mm for large plates and 245×135 mm for mopeds and small motorcycles.
Personalized Malta license plates
In Malta, personalized plates are allowed. These are among the most character-flexible plates in the world, with centered text. Personalized plates can be of two types: fully personalized or "chosen", which are standard combinations selected by owners and harder to identify.
Fully personalized Malta license plates
Fully personalized Maltese plates feature a split EU stripe, showing only the top part with the M code. They may use standard typography with up to 9 characters excluding spaces. (See taxi plates, with 8 characters) However, a thinner font can be used, allowing many more letters and spaces. Even full phrases with spaces are possible. The approximate cost is around 1500 euros. Below are two examples, one with standard font and one with thin font allowing longer text.
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"Chosen" personalized Malta plates
Standard-format plates with selected combinations are known as "chosen" plates. The cost is around 300 euros. If the first letter is M or higher in a standard sequence (AAA001), it usually indicates a plate chosen by the owner. Eventually, once A is fully used, M will become standard. The second and third letters may also be selected. These plates are harder to identify as they require comparison with recent registrations. For example, combinations like AUD may fall into this category depending on the current sequence. Combinations such as JJJ, LLL, WWW or ZZZ are also included, unlike AAA, BBB or CCC which are typically standard issues.
Other current special Malta license plates
Malta uses different special plates depending on vehicle type. Generally, special plates differ mainly by letter combinations and sometimes by colors. GV identifies small goods vehicles. VY identifies minibuses. LY identifies small passenger transport vehicles (such as Uber-like services). Public buses use BUS.
Weekend vehicles
Some vehicles can only be used on weekends. These use standard configuration plates but with red characters on a white background. They are often seen on high-end vehicles but also on regular ones. In theory, they are restricted to weekend use only.
Historic vehicle plate
Since 2017, historic vehicles use white characters on a black background, preserving the original plate format while providing tax benefits.
Rental vehicle plates in Malta
As of 2022, rental vehicles without a driver use QZ in the second and third positions. The EU stripe may appear full or partially split.
Government vehicle plate
Government vehicles use the standard format but start with GV followed by a third letter: A for armed forces, H for vans and trucks, M for regular government vehicles, and P for police.
Malta taxi license plates
Taxi plates resemble personalized plates, with a split EU stripe. The format is TAXI followed by three numbers and a letter. The last letter can be M for Malta Island or G for Gozo Island.
Trailer plates for international circulation
Trailer plates for trucks traveling abroad use TR followed by up to four numbers. These are often displayed on square plates in a two-line format.
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Diplomatic Corps plates in Malta
Diplomatic Corps plates follow the standard format but begin with CD plus another letter in sequence (e.g. CDA 001). A-1 represents the Vatican, A-6 France, A-7 Germany, A-9 India, B-4 Spain, and B-5 United States.
Previous systems
1979-1995
From 1979 to 1995, Maltese plates used one letter followed by four numbers in black on a white background. On the right side, an oval with the letter M was displayed, similar to an oval code. Background colors indicated vehicle types. All vehicles were later required to be re-registered to the current system.
1952-1979
The system consisted of four or five serial numbers in white or grey on a black background.
Rental vehicles used yellow plates. In Valletta city circulation, a small red circle was sometimes displayed. In 1964, Malta gained independence from the United Kingdom. That same year, diplomatic plates were introduced using the standard format starting with CD.
☛ Which code identifies cars from Malta?
The code M identifies Malta. The license plates of Malta may be used with the international registration code M next to it on the back part of the car.
Example of a car with the international recognition code of Malta
Below you can find a car with the oval code and international recognition of Malta which is M.
Questions and answers about car license plates in Malta 🥇
Where is the code M in a license plate from?
The international code M identifies Malta, in Europe.
Which country uses the code M on its license plate?
The country that uses the code M on its car license plate system is Malta.. The letter or letters M always identify Malta. The international code M must always be displayed on the rear of the vehicle inMaltaSpain in an oval in black characters on a white background when travelling abroad, except in very rare cases.
When did Malta have its first ordinary car license plate?
The date of the first car license plate registration officially issued in Malta was in 1916.
Which side of the road do people drive on in Malta?
In Malta, you drive on the left side of the road.
On which continent is Malta located?
Malta is located in the continent . You can check how are the license plates of Europe following the link to the general section within matriculasdelmundo. Car license plates in Europe
What are license plates from Malta called in other English-speaking couuntries?
In English, license plate of Malta is commonly called a license plate of Malta in the United States and Canada. In the UK and Australia, it’s often known as a number plate of Malta. Another term, registration plate of Malta, is understood globally and is slightly more formal. All these terms refer to the same vehicle identification plate of Malta, with usage varying by country. Car plate of Malta can be used in more technical situations.
Is it the same a license plate of Malta and a registration plate of Malta?
Yes, both license plate of Malta and registration plate of Malta can be used to refer the same vehicle registration unique number of Malta.
Cite this section about the license plates of Malta
Matriculasdelmundo. License plates of Malta. Reviewed and updated information. Matriculasdelmundo.com. Retrieved on 27/04/2026 from https://
License plates from other states and territories that you may be interested in:
Map of the Malta license plates
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Official Sources on License Plates of Malta
All the information about the license plates of cars and motorcycles in Malta and vehicle plates shown here has been extracted from official state archives (such as the BOE and the DGT in Spain), from personal sightings, by contacting automobile clubs from other countries, or through media or files referenced in the text. This information on car and motorcycle plates in Malta has been collected since 2009, so we hope you find the information you're looking for about Malta license plates.
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