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B 1309
L.N. 193 of 2020
TRAFFIC REGULA TION ORDINANCE 
(CAP. 65)
AUTHORITY FOR TRANSPORT IN MALTA ACT
(CAP. 499)
Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment No. 2) 
Regulations, 2020
IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by article 54 of the
Traffic Regulation Ordinance and by article 43 of the Authority for
Transport in Malta Act, the Minister for Transport, Infrastruct ure and
Capital Projects, after consultation with the Authority for Transport in
Malta, has made the following regulations:-
Citation.
S.L. 65.18.1. The title of these regulations is Motor Vehicles (Driving
Licences) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations, 2020 and these regulat ions
shall be read and construed as one with the Motor Vehicles (Dri ving
Licences) Regulations, hereinafter referred to as "the principa l
regulations".
Amends 
regulation 2 of 
the principal 
regulations.2. Sub-regulation (1) of regulation 2 of the principal
regulations shall be amended as follows:
(a) the definition "the Dir ective" thereof, shall be
substituted by the following:
"''the Directive'' means Directive 2006/126/EC of the
European Parliament and the Council on driving licences as
amended by Commission Directive 2009/113/EC of 25August, 2009, Commission Directive 2011/94/EU of 28
November, 2011, Commission Directive 2012/36/EU of 19
November, 2012, Counc il Directive 2013/ 22/EU of 13 May
2013, Commission Directive 2013/47/EU of 2 October,
2013, Commission Directive 2014/85/EU of 1 July, 2014,Commission Directive (EU) 2015/653 of 24 April, 2015and Commission Directive (EU) 2018/645/EU of the
European Parliament and the Council of 18 April, 2018;";
and
(b) immediately after the definition "Directive 2002/24/
EC" thereof, there shall be added the following new definition:
"Directive 2003/59/EC" means Directive 2003/59/EC
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of the European Parliament and of the Council relating on
the initial qualification and pe riodic training of drivers of
certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or
passengers, amending Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3820/
85 and Council Directive 91/439/EEC and repealing
Council Directiv e 76/914/EEC;".
Substitutes 
regulation 28 of 
the principal regulations.3. Regulation 28 of the principal regulations shall be
substituted by the following: 
"Exempt drivers. 28. The provisions of regulation 27 shall not
apply to the drivers of:
(a) vehicles with a maximum authorised
speed not exceeding forty-five (45) kilometres per
hour;
(b) vehicles used by, or under the control
of, the armed forces, civil defence, the fire andrescue service and forces responsible for
maintaining public order; and emergency
ambulance services, when the carriage isundertaken as a consequence of the tasks assigned
to those services; 
(c) vehicles undergoing road tests for
technical development, repair or maintenance
purposes, or the drivers of new or rebuilt vehicleswhich have not yet been put into service;
(d) vehicles for which a driving licence of
category D or D1 is required and which are driven
without passengers by maintenance personnel to
or from a maintenance centre situated in thevicinity of the nearest maintenance base which is
used by the transport operator, provided that
driving the vehicle does not constitute the driver's
principal activity;
(e) vehicles used in states of emergency or
assigned to rescue missions, including vehicles
used in the non-commercial transport ofhumanitarian aid;
(f) vehicles used for driving instruction
for, and examination of, any person wishing to
obtain a driving licence  or a Certificate of
Professional Competence (CPC), in accordance
with regulation 29, provided that they are not
being used for the commercial carriage of goods
and passengers;
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Amends the 
First Schedule 
to the principal 
regulations.4. In the First Schedule to the principal regulations, in item
"B", under the column with the heading "Class of vehicle", the words
from "Motor vehicles" to "or tricycle", shall be substituted by the
words:
"Motor vehicles with a maximum authorised mass not
exceeding three-thousand and five-hundred (3,500) kg anddesigned and constructed for th e carriage of no more than eight
(8) passengers in addition to the driver; motor vehicles in this
category may be combined with a trailer having a maximum
authorised mass which does not exceed seven-hundred and fifty(750) kg. 
Without prejudice to the provisions of type-approval rules
for the vehicles concerned, motor vehicles in this category may
be combined with a trailer with a maximum authorised mass
exceeding seven-hundred and fifty (750) kg, provided that themaximum authorised mass of a vehicle combined with a trailer
does not exceed four-thousand, two-hundred and fifty (4,250)
kg. Where a vehicle combined with a trailer exceeds three-thousand and five-hundred (3,500) kg it shall be driven only
after a driver has passed a te st of skills and behaviour, in
accordance with Annex V of the Directive. 
Alternatively fuelled vehicles, as referred to in Article 2 of
the Council Directive 96/53/EC with a maximum authorized
mass above three-thousand and five-hundred (3,500) kg but notexceeding four-thousand, two-hundred and fifty (4,250) kg for
the transport of goods operating without a trailer by holders o f a(g) vehicles used for non-commercial
carriage of passengers or goods; and
(h) vehicles carrying material, equipment
or machinery to be used by the drivers in the
course of their work, provided that driving the
vehicles is not the drivers’ principal activity:
Provided that paragraph (f) shall not
apply to any person wishing to obtain a driving
licence or a Certificate of Professional
Competence (CPC), in accordance with
regulation 29, when that person is undergoingadditional driving training during work-based
learning, where that person is accompanied by
another person certified by a Certificate ofProfessional Competence (CPC), or a driving
instructor, for the category of vehicle used for the
purpose set out in that paragraph.".
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category B driving licence which was issued at least two (2)
years before, provided that the mass in excess of three-thousan d
and five-hundred (3,500) kg is due exclusively to the excess of
mass of the propulsion system in relation to the propulsion
system of a vehicle of the same dimensions, which is equipped
with a conventional internal combustion engine with positiveignition or compression ignition, and provided that the cargo
capacity is not increased in relation to the same vehicle. 
Motor tricycles with a power  exceeding fifteen (15) kW
provided that the holder of the licence is at least twenty-one (21)
years old. 
Motorcycles or tricycles listed under Code 111 in the
Seventh Schedule, provided the holder had undergone a trainingcourse of ten (10) hour s organised by a lic ensed motoring schoo l
as prescribed by the Authority and has been issued with a
certificate at the end of the said course. The holder shall not
carry a pillion while driving the motorcycle or tricycle.".
Amends the 
Second Schedule to the 
principal 
regulations.5. In Column 2 with the heading "Age in years", in paragraph
(b) of the Second Schedule to the principal regulations, the ro w
relative to Category D1, D1E, the number "20" shall be substituted by
the number "21".
Substitutes the 
Thirteenth 
Schedule to the 
principal regulations.6. The Thirteenth Schedule to the principle regulations shall
be substituted by the following:
"THIRTEENTH SCHEDULE
(Regulations 29, 30)
Minimum qualification and training requirements
Section 1: List of subjects
1. The knowledge to be taken into account when establishing
the driver’s initial qualificat ion and periodic training must
include at least the subjects in this list. Trainee drivers must
reach the level of knowledge and practical competence
necessary to drive in all safety vehicles of the relevant
licence category.
The minimum level of qualificati on shall be comparable at least
to level 2 of the European Qualifications Framework as providedfor in Annex II to Recommendation of the European Parliamentand of the Council of 23 April 2008.
Advanced training in rational driving based on safety regulations
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All licences
1.1. Objective: to know the charact eristics of the transmission
system in order to make the best possible use of it:
curves relating to torque, power, and specific consumption of a n
engine, area of optimum use of revolution counter, gearbox-rati o
cover diagrams.
1.2. Objective: to know the technical characteristics and
operation of the safety controls in order to control the
vehicle, minimise wear and tear, and prevent
disfunctioning: 
limits to the use of brakes and retarder, combined use of brake s
and retarder, making better use of speed and gear ratio, makinguse of vehicle inertia, using ways of slowing down and braking
on downhill stretches, action in  the event of failure, use of
electronic and mechanical devices such as Electronic Stability
Program (ESP), Advanced Emergency Braking Systems (AEBS),
Anti-Lock Braking System (AB S), traction control systems
(TCS) and in vehicle monitoring systems (IVMS) and other,
approved for use, driver assistance or automation devices.
1.3. Objective: ability to optimise fuel consumption: 
optimisation of fuel consumption by applying know-how as
regards points 1.1 and 1.2, importance of anticipating traffic
flow, appropriate distance to other vehicles and use of thevehicle's momentum, steady speed, smooth driving style and
appropriate tyre pressure, and familiarity with intelligent
transport systems that improve driving efficiency and assist inroute planning.
1.3a.  Objective: ability to anticipate, assess and adapt to ri sks in
traffic: 
to be aware of and adapt to different road, traffic and weather
conditions, anticipate forthcoming events; to understand how toprepare and plan a journey during abnormal weather conditions;to be familiar with the use of related safety equipment and to
understand when a journey has to be postponed or cancelled due
to extreme weather conditions; to adapt to the risks of traffic ,
including dangerous behaviour in traffic or distracted driving
(through the use of electronic devices, eating, drinking, etc.) ; to
recognise and adapt to dangerous situations and to be able to
cope with stress deriving therefrom, in particular related to s ize
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and weight of the vehicles and vulnerable road users, such as
pedestrians, cyclists and powered two wheelers; 
to identify possible hazardous situations and properly interpre t
how these potentially hazardous situations may turn intosituations where crashes can no longer be averted and selecting
and implementing actions that increase the safety margins tosuch an extent that a crash can still be averted in case the
potential hazards should occur.
Licences C, C+E, C1, C1+E
1.4. Objective: ability to load the vehicle with due regard for
safety rules and proper vehicle use:
forces affecting vehicles in motion, use of gearbox ratios
according to vehicle load and road profile, use of automatic
transmission systems, calculation of payload of vehicle orassembly, calculation of total volume, load distribution,
consequences of overloading the axle, vehicle stability and
centre of gravity, types of packaging and pallets; 
main categories of goods needing securing, clamping and securin g
techniques, use of securing straps, checking of securing device s,
use of handling equipment, placing and removal of tarpaulins.
Licences D, D+E, D1, D1+E, f
1.5. Objective: ability to ensure passenger comfort and safety:  
adjusting longitudinal and sideways movements, road sharing,
position on the road, smooth breaking, overhang operation, using
specific infrastructu res (public areas, dedicated lanes), managing
conflicts between safe driving and other roles as a driver,
interacting with passengers, specificities of certain groups of
passengers (disabled persons, children).
1.6. Objective: ability to load the vehicle with due regard for
safety rules and proper vehicle use: 
forces affecting vehicles in motion, use of gearbox-ratios
according to vehicle load and road profile, use of automatic
transmission systems, calculation of payload of vehicle or
assembly, load distribution, consequences of overloading the
axle, vehicle stability and centre of gravity.
Application of regulations
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All licences
2.1. Objective: to know the social environment of road transpor t
and the rules governing it: 
maximum working periods specific to the transport industry;
principles, application and consequences of Regulations (EC) No
561/2006 and (EU) No 165/2014 of the European Parliament andof the Council; penalties for failure to use, improper use of and
tampering with the tachograph; knowledge of the social
environment of road transport: rights and duties of drivers as
regards initial qualification and periodic training.
Licences C, C+E, C1, C1+E
2.2. Objective: to know the regulations governing the carriage
of goods: 
transport operating licences, documents to be carried in the
vehicle, bans on using certain roads, road-use fees, obligation s
under standard contracts for the carriage of goods, drafting of
documents which form the transp ort contract, international
transport permits, obligations under the Convention on the
Contract for the Internationa l Carriage of Goods by Road,
drafting of the international consignment note, crossing border s,
freight forwarders, special documents accompanying goods.
Licences D, D+E, D1, D1+E, f
2.3. Objective: to know the regulations governing the carriage
of passengers:
carriage of specific groups of passengers, safety equipment on
board buses, safety belts, vehicle load.
3. Health, road and environmental safety, service, logistics
All licences3.1. Objective: to make drivers aware of the risks of the road
and of accidents at work:
types of accidents at work in the transport sector, road accident
statistics, involvement of lorries/coaches, human, material and
financial consequences.
3.2. Objective: ability to prevent criminality and trafficking i n
illegal immigrants:
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general information, implications for drivers, preventive
measures, check list, legislation on transport operator liability.
3.3. Objective: ability to prevent physical risks:
ergonomic principles; movements and postures which pose a
risk, physical fitness, handling exercises, personal protection .
3.4. Objective: awareness of the importance of physical and
mental ability:
principles of healthy, balanced eating, effects of alcohol, drugs or
any other substance likely to affect behaviour, symptoms, causes,
effects of fatigue and stress, fundamental role of the basic wo rk/
rest cycle.
3.5 Objective: ability to assess emergency situations:
behaviour in an emergency situation: assessment of the situation,
avoiding complications of an accident, summoning assistance,
assisting casualties and giving first aid, reaction in the event of
fire, evacuation of occupants of a lorry/bus passengers, ensuring
the safety of all passengers, re action in the event of aggression;
basic principles for the drafting of an accident report.
3.6. Objective: ability to adopt behaviour to help enhance the
image of the company:
behaviour of the driver and company image: importance for the
company of the standard of service provided by the driver, theroles of the driver, people with whom the driver will be dealing,vehicle maintenance, work or ganisation, commercial and
financial effects of a dispute.
Licences C, C+E, C1, C1+E
3.7. Objective: to know the economic environment of road
haulage and the organisation of the market: 
road transport in relation to other modes of transport
(competition, shippers), different road transport activities
(transport for hire or reward, own account, auxiliary transport
activities), organisation of the main types of transport compan y
and auxiliary transport activities, different transport
specialisations (road tanker, controlled temperature, dangerous
goods, animal transport, etc.), changes in the industry
(diversification of services provided, rail-road, subcontracting,
etc.).
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Licences D, D+E, D1, D1+E, f
3.8. Objective: to know the economic environment of the
carriage of passengers by road and the organisation of the
market: 
carriage of passengers by road in relation to other modes of
passenger transport (rail, private car), different activitiesinvolving the carriage of passengers by road, disability
awareness, crossing borders (international transport),
organisation of the main types of companies for the carriage of
passengers by road.
Section 2: Compulsory initial qualification provided for in regulation 
29
The Authority or an entity designated by it shall organise the
following theoretical and practical tests to check whether the
trainee driver has the level of knowledge required in section 1  for
the subjects and objectives listed there.
(a) The theoretical test shall consist of at least two parts:
(i) questions including multiple-choice questions,
questions requiring a direct answer, or a combination ofboth;
(ii) case studies.
The minimum duration of the theoretical test must be four hours .
(b) The practical test shall consist of two parts:
(i) a driving test aimed at assessing training in
rational driving based on safety regulations. The test musttake place, whenever possible, on roads outside built-upareas, on fast roads and on motorways (or similar), and on
all kinds of urban highways pr esenting the different types
of difficulties that a driver is liable to encounter. It would
be desirable for this test to take place in different traffic
density conditions.
The driving time on the road must be used optimally in order to
assess the candidate in all traffic areas likely to be encountered.The minimum duration of this test must be 90 minutes;
(ii) a practical test covering at least points 1.4, 1.5,
1.6, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.5.
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The minimum duration of this test must be 30 minutes.
The vehicle used for the practical test must meet at least the
requirements for test vehicles as defined in the Third Schedule .
The practical test may be supplemented by a third test taking
place on special terrain or on a top-of-the-range simulator so as
to assess training in rational driving based on safety regulations,
in particular with regard to vehicle handling in different road
conditions and the way they change with different atmospheric
conditions and the time of day or night.
The duration of this optional test is not fixed. Should the dri ver
undergo such a test, its duration may be deducted from the 90minutes of the driving test referred to under (i), but the time
deducted may not exceed 30 minutes.
For new drivers, the theoretical test must be limited to the
subjects, referred to in section 1, which are relevant to thevehicles to which the new initial qualification applies. However,
such drivers must undergo the whole practical test.
Section 3: Compulsory periodic training
Compulsory periodic training courses must be organised by an
approved training centre. Thei r duration must be of 35 hours
every five years, given in periods of at least seven hours, whi ch
may be split over two consecutive days. Whenever e-learning isused, the approved training centre shall ensure that the properquality of the training is maint ained, including by selecting the
subjects where ICT tools can most effectively be deployed. Inparticular, the Authority shall require reliable user identific ation
and appropriate means of control. The maximum duration of the
e-learning training shall not exceed 12 hours. At least one of the
training course periods shall cover a road safety subject. The
content of the training shall take into account training needs
specific to the transport operations carried out by the driver and
relevant legal and technological developments and should, as fa r
as possible, take into account specific training needs of thedriver. A range of different subjects should be covered over th e
35 hours, including repeat training where it is shown that the
driver needs specific remedial training.
Section 4: Approval of the initial qualification and periodic training
4.1. The training centres taking part in the initial qualificat ion
and periodic training must be approved by the Authority.
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Approval may be given only in response to a written
application. The application must be accompanied by
documents including:
4.1.1 a suitable qualification and training programme specifying
the subjects taught and setting out the proposedimplementing plan and teaching methods;
4.1.2. the instructors’ qualifications and fields of activity;
4.1.3. information about the premises where the courses are
given, the teaching materials, the resources made available
for the practical work, and the vehicle fleet used;
4.1.4. the conditions regarding participation in the courses
(number of participants).
4.2. The Authority must give approval in writing subject to the
following conditions:
4.2.1. the training must be given in accordance with the
documents accompanying the application;
4.2.2. the Authority must be entitled to send authorised person s
to assist in the training courses of the approved centres, andmust be entitled to monitor su ch centres, with regard to the
resources used and the proper running of the training
courses and tests;
4.2.3. the approval may be withdrawn or suspended if the
conditions of approval are no longer complied with.
The approved centre must guarantee that the instructors have a
sound knowledge of the most recent regulations and trainingrequirements. As part of a specific selection procedure, theinstructors must provide certif ication showing a knowledge of
both the subject material and teaching methods. As regards thepractical part of the training, instructors must providecertification of experience as professional drivers or similar
driving experience, such as that of driving instructors for heavy
vehicles.
The programme of instruction must be in accordance with the
approval and must cover the subjects in the list in section 1." .
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Ippubblikat mid-Dipartiment tal-Informazzjoni (doi.gov.mt) — Valletta — Published by the Department of Information (doi.gov.mt) — Valletta
Mitbugħ fl-Istamperija tal-Gvern fuq karta FSC — Printed at the Government Printing Press on FSC certified paper
Prezz/Price
€1.08
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