DRIVERS TO BE PAID TO SURRENDER LICENSES FOR 5 YEARS – Malta unveiled a €5 million initiative aimed at slashing traffic congestion
Malta has unveiled a radical €5 million initiative aimed at slashing traffic congestion by paying young motorists to get off the road for five years. Under the new scheme, drivers under the age of 30 who agree to surrender their driving licenses across all vehicle categories can claim a substantial payout of €25,000 (£21,800).
Managed by Transport Malta, the program operates on a first-come, first-served basis and requires applicants to have been residents of the island for at least seven years prior to their application.
Drivers in Malta are being offered cash incentives paid over four years if they give up their licences,but with strict conditions. Participants are banned from driving anywhere in the world for five years, or risk repaying the money.
The scheme excludes certain groups, including diplomats and those who need a licence for work. Applications close on June 30, 2026, and anyone completing the programme must take 15 hours of driving lessons before returning to the road.
