In a dramatic new push to tackle Malta’s traffic nightmare, Transport Minister Chris Bonett this morning confirmed the groundbreaking incentive first reported last Sunday: ditch your car and driving licence for five years, and get paid €25,000.

Yes, you read that right. Under this bold new scheme, drivers who renounce all their licences and vehicles for five full years will receive €5,000 annually. No other type of driving licence can be obtained during this period, and participants must not own or use a car.

The scheme comes with a catch — you must stick it out for at least one year. Opting out earlier is not allowed, and anyone quitting after the first year will have to pay back the remaining balance.

To qualify, you must have held a driving licence for at least seven years and currently own a vehicle.

This is part of a wider package of transport measures unveiled by Minister Bonett during a much-anticipated press conference, with the government finally getting serious about breaking Malta’s long-standing car culture.

Minister Bonett stressed that immediate action had to be taken and that it was time to rethink how Maltese people move within Malta. He explained that this package of measures comes after a full year of consultation with people from all walks of life — involving a wide range of backgrounds, professions, and communities to ensure the strategy truly reflects society.

He added that he was pleasantly surprised by the level of public interest and grateful for the constructive criticism received, which has helped shape and strengthen the final proposals.

The Minister was clear in his approach: “We don’t want to force people, but we want to convince them that they need to be with us and encourage them to help us beat traffic by using one of these measures on a voluntary basis.”

Importantly, he also confirmed that some of these measures will start coming into effect as early as next month, signalling a swift shift toward real action on the ground.

#MaltaDaily

Hot on the heels of the €25,000 car-free scheme, Transport Minister Chris Bonett has announced a second, youth-focused measure aimed at rethinking how the next generation gets around Malta.

17-year-olds will now be eligible to drive a small scooter — but only under one big condition: they must agree not to obtain a motor vehicle driving licence until they turn 21. In return, they’ll receive a €1,500 annual cash grant for four years, totalling €6,000.

The scheme comes with a similar rule to the €25,000 plan: teens must commit to the deal for at least one year, or they’re out. If they opt out after year one, they’ll need to pay back the remaining money.

This incentive is designed to delay young people from joining Malta’s growing car culture, and instead encourage lighter, more sustainable transport alternatives during their formative driving years.

It follows the dramatic measure revealed earlier this week, where adult drivers who surrender their cars and licences for five years will be paid €5,000 a year — adding up to a massive €25,000.

Minister Bonett said these ideas are part of a comprehensive plan to tackle Malta’s traffic crisis head-on, and follow a full year of consultation with people from all sectors of society. He acknowledged the surprisingly high level of public interest, and said he welcomed the constructive feedback that has helped shape these initiatives.

He emphasised the voluntary nature of the schemes, stating: “We don’t want to force people, but we want to convince them that they need to be with us and encourage them to help us beat traffic by using one of these measures on a voluntary basis.”

He also confirmed that some of these measures will begin rolling out as early as next month, signalling that this plan is not just talk — but action.

With more short-term and long-term solutions expected in the coming months, it’s clear the government is ready to shake up Malta’s transport system — starting with both seasoned drivers and the next generation.

#MaltaDaily