🔒 Do I have to wear a seatbelt in the back seat in Malta?

Yes

Quick answer

Yes — the seatbelt is compulsory both in the front and in the back. The Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) Regulations (S.L. 65.12) require the driver and all passengers, including those in the rear seats, to wear a belt where one is fitted. Children under 3 may not be carried without a suitable restraint system, and those shorter than 150 cm must use a child seat or booster appropriate for their size. The double myth: first, that "rear passengers are exempt" — they are not; second, that the fine is a fixed €25. That figure echoes around tourist guides, but it does not appear in the official contraventions schedule on gov.mt under Chapter 65, so we cannot confirm it as the statutory penalty in force. The responsibility for making sure children are properly restrained falls on the driver.

📋 The rules

A seatbelt must be worn by anyone in a seat that has one fitted — front and back.
Children under 3 may not be carried in a vehicle without a restraint system suitable for their age and size.
Children shorter than 150 cm must use a child seat or booster, not simply the adult belt.
The obligation comes from Regulations S.L. 65.12 under the Traffic Regulation Ordinance (Cap. 65).
The responsibility to keep young passengers properly restrained falls on the driver of the vehicle.

🔓 Exceptions

People with a genuine medical reason can obtain an exemption certificate (Form DRV 023) from Transport Malta.
Certain classic vehicles that were never fitted with belts at the factory are not required to have one installed.
Standing passengers on public transport (such as some buses) are not covered by the same seatbelt obligation.

⚠️ Penalties & fines

The exact penalty is where you need to be careful: the €25 figure that circulates in many tourist guides is not listed in the official contraventions schedule on gov.mt under Chapter 65, so we cannot treat it as the statutory figure in force. What is certain is that failing to wear a belt is an offence under Cap. 65 and can be brought as a contravention. The bigger price, though, is not the fine but safety and insurance: in a crash, if you were not wearing your belt, the insurer can argue you contributed to your own injury and reduce or contest the payout. For unrestrained children, the driver can be held directly responsible, and the consequences of a serious injury instantly dwarf any fine. Put simply: the belt takes a few seconds and can save both your life and your wallet.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-07-12

❓ Frequently asked

Do rear passengers have to wear a seatbelt in Malta?

Yes. The obligation applies to every seat that has a belt fitted, both front and back, and not only to the driver. The idea that "rear passengers are exempt" is a common myth that can lead to a contravention and, worse, to serious injury in a crash.

How much is the fine for not wearing a seatbelt?

The €25 figure that appears on many tourist sites does not appear in the official contraventions schedule on gov.mt, so we cannot confirm it as the penalty in force. What is certain is that not wearing a belt is an offence under Chapter 65 and can be brought as a contravention before the authorities.

What are the rules for children?

Children under 3 may not be carried without a suitable restraint system, and those shorter than 150 cm must use a child seat or booster suitable for their size. The responsibility for this falls on the driver of the vehicle, not on the child themselves.

Can I be exempt from wearing a seatbelt?

Yes, but only for a genuine medical reason, and you must obtain an exemption certificate (Form DRV 023) from Transport Malta. Without that certificate in hand, "I have a bad back" on its own is not a valid defence before the police.

What happens with insurance if I was not belted?

In a crash, the insurer can argue that not wearing the belt contributed to your injury and reduce or contest the compensation. This means that even if the fine is small or unclear, the real cost in health and money can be enormous.

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