collected online
The Maltese government is set to introduce major reforms to the Y-plate taxi sector through new legislation expected to come into force in the coming days. The new measures are aimed at improving road safety, strengthening driver regulations, and increasing oversight of ride-hailing services across Malta.
Under the new rules, taxi drivers operating Y-plate vehicles will be limited to a maximum of 12 driving hours per day. Malta’s Transport Authority will gain direct access to real-time data from transport applications, allowing authorities to monitor how long drivers are working.
Drivers who exceed the legal driving limit will face escalating penalties, starting with warnings and fines of up to €500, while repeated violations could lead to suspension of their driving licence.
The changes come after a recent serious road accident involving an unlicensed and intoxicated driver operating a Y-plate vehicle. The incident, which left a man with life-changing injuries, sparked nationwide concern over safety standards within the taxi industry.
Reports also revealed that some drivers were working shifts of up to 16 hours a day, raising major concerns about driver fatigue and road safety. To address this issue, drivers will now be required to complete facial recognition verification every three hours through transport apps to confirm their identity while operating vehicles.
Additionally, new applicants seeking to work as taxi drivers must have at least two years of driving experience before being granted permission to operate.
The government is also introducing stricter parking regulations for Y-plate taxis. A new graduated penalty system will impose fines ranging from €100 to €500 for illegal parking violations. Under the proposed rules, taxis will only be allowed to park on public streets for up to two hours during daytime and one hour at night. Vehicles must also display the Malta Transport Authority parking clock while parked.
Authorities believe that transport platforms have not been adequately monitored in recent years and that stronger protections are needed for both passengers and drivers. Malta’s Transport Authority recently held discussions with the country’s three major transport app companies — Bolt, Uber, and eCabs — along with taxi fleet operators.
New regulations will also apply to taxi fleet companies. Businesses operating fleets will no longer be allowed to register excessive numbers of vehicles beyond operational limits. However, vehicles operating under shift systems may be exempt from some restrictions.
Large taxi fleets will also be required to provide at least one accessible vehicle for passengers with special needs for every 50 registered vehicles. To encourage compliance, the government plans to offer grants of up to €10,000 for the purchase of accessible vehicles.
At the same time, transport application companies such as Bolt, Uber, and eCabs will face significantly higher registration fees under a new tiered system. Instead of paying only a few hundred euros annually, companies will now pay fees based on the number of rides booked through their platforms. Platforms handling up to 50,000 trips per year will pay €5,000, while companies exceeding 15 million annual bookings could pay up to €320,000 in fees.
The government says the reforms are necessary to improve safety, ensure fair regulation, and modernize Malta’s rapidly growing transport sector.
By commenting you are accepting our Comment Policy.