Frequently Asked Questions

4Drive offers car hire in Malta with zero deposit requirement. Traditional rental companies block EUR 500 to EUR 1500 on your credit card as a security hold. We do not do this. When you book with us, you pay only the rental fee - nothing is frozen or blocked on your card. Your funds remain available throughout your trip.

This is possible because we include full insurance coverage (Collision Damage Waiver and Third Party Liability) in every booking. There is no excess to cover, so we do not need a deposit. You simply collect the car, drive it, and return it. If any damage occurs, the insurance handles it directly - you are not liable beyond the rental fee you have already paid.

Yes. 4Drive accepts payment by debit card, cash, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. A credit card is not mandatory. Most international rental companies require a credit card because they need to authorise a large deposit, but since we charge no deposit, we can accept alternative payment methods.

You can pay the full rental amount with your Visa or Mastercard debit card at the time of booking online, or you can choose to pay in cash when you collect the vehicle at Malta International Airport or your chosen pickup location in Valletta, Sliema, St Julians, Bugibba, Mellieha, Qawra, or St Pauls Bay. Contactless payment through Apple Pay and Google Pay is also available if you prefer.

You need three documents: a valid driving licence, your passport (or national ID card for EU citizens), and proof of your booking confirmation from 4Drive.

If you hold an EU driving licence, you can drive in Malta without any additional paperwork. Drivers from the United Kingdom can use their UK licence. If your licence is issued in a language other than English (or not using the Latin alphabet), you must also present an International Driving Permit (IDP). Drivers from the United States, Canada, Australia, and most other countries need an IDP alongside their national licence.

The minimum age to rent a car with 4Drive is 21 years for economy and compact categories. Premium vehicles (SUVs and luxury cars like the Mercedes A-Class) require the driver to be at least 25 years old. Some insurers apply a young driver supplement for those aged 21 to 24 - this is stated clearly in your booking terms.

Yes. Every 4Drive rental includes Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Third Party Liability insurance with no excess. This means if the car is damaged or stolen, or if you are involved in an accident that causes injury or property damage to another party, you are covered. There is no deductible you need to pay out of pocket.

This comprehensive insurance is included in the daily rate from EUR 31 per day. Other companies often advertise low base prices but charge extra for insurance, GPS, additional drivers, or roadside assistance. We include these essentials upfront so the price you see is the price you pay. If you want to add extras such as a child seat or GPS navigation device, these are available at a small additional cost stated during booking.

You can collect your rental car at Malta International Airport in Luqa, which is the most popular pickup location for tourists. We also offer free delivery to hotels and accommodations in Valletta, Sliema, St Julians, Bugibba, Qawra, Mellieha, St Pauls Bay, and other areas across Malta and Gozo.

If you arrive by plane, the airport pickup desk is located in the arrivals hall. Our staff will meet you, verify your documents, and hand over the keys within minutes. If you prefer hotel delivery, simply enter your address during the booking process. We bring the car to you at no extra charge - you do not need to travel to our office or wait at the airport.

Return is equally flexible. You can drop the car back at the airport before your departure flight, or we can collect it from your accommodation if that is more convenient. Arrangements for return pickup are confirmed at the time of rental.

Yes. All 4Drive rental cars are allowed on the Cirkewwa to Mgarr ferry to Gozo. There is no restriction and no additional fee from us. You only pay the ferry operator for the vehicle crossing, which costs approximately EUR 15 return (prices set by Gozo Channel Company, not by 4Drive).

Gozo is a beautiful island worth visiting - the Azure Window area (now collapsed but the coastline remains stunning), the Citadel in Victoria, Ramla Bay, and the Ggantija prehistoric temples are highlights. The ferry runs frequently throughout the day and takes about 25 minutes. Your rental insurance covers you on Gozo just as it does on the main island of Malta.

If you plan to spend several days on Gozo, consider picking up the car directly in Mgarr after taking the passenger ferry yourself. This saves the vehicle ferry cost. Contact us to arrange Gozo delivery.

Malta drives on the LEFT side of the road, the same as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, and Australia. This is different from continental Europe and North America where you drive on the right. If you are not used to left-hand traffic, take extra care at roundabouts (go clockwise) and when turning at junctions.

The steering wheel is on the right side of the car. Road signs are in English and distances are in kilometres. Speed limits are 50 km/h in urban areas like Valletta and Sliema, 80 km/h on rural roads, and there are no motorways with higher limits in Malta. Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers.

Parking can be tight in historic towns such as Valletta and Mdina. Use designated car parks rather than attempting to park on narrow streets. Many beaches and tourist sites have free or inexpensive parking areas nearby.

Prices start from EUR 31 per day for an economy car like the Fiat Panda (manual transmission, ideal for city driving in Valletta and Sliema). A compact automatic such as the Hyundai i20 costs from EUR 38 per day. Mid-size sedans like the Skoda Octavia start at EUR 47 per day, SUVs like the Dacia Duster from EUR 54 per day, and larger premium SUVs like the Toyota RAV4 from EUR 62 per day. Luxury cars such as the Mercedes A-Class are available from EUR 79 per day.

These prices include full insurance with no excess, unlimited mileage, airport delivery or hotel delivery, one additional driver, and 24-hour roadside assistance. There are no hidden fees. If you rent for a week or longer, we offer discounts - a week often works out at around EUR 200 to EUR 350 depending on the vehicle category, which is considerably cheaper than daily rates.

Fuel is not included - you collect the car with a full tank and return it full (same-to-same policy). Petrol stations in Malta accept cash and cards. Unleaded 95 and diesel are widely available. Fuel costs in Malta are similar to southern Europe - expect around EUR 1.40 to EUR 1.60 per litre.

Yes. 4Drive offers free cancellation up to 48 hours before your scheduled pickup time. If your travel plans change, simply log into your booking or contact us by email or phone to cancel. You will receive a full refund with no cancellation fee.

Cancellations made less than 48 hours before pickup may incur a fee, or the booking may be non-refundable depending on the rate selected. This policy is clearly stated during the booking process. If you have any doubts or need to modify your dates or vehicle category, contact our Malta office - we are flexible and will do our best to accommodate changes.

Yes. All 4Drive rentals operate on a full-to-full fuel policy. You receive the car with a full tank of petrol or diesel, and you must return it with a full tank. This is the fairest system - you pay only for the fuel you actually use at local station prices rather than inflated refueling charges from the rental company.

There are petrol stations near Malta International Airport in Luqa, and throughout the island in towns like Valletta, Sliema, Bugibba, Mellieha, and St Pauls Bay. Most stations accept credit and debit cards as well as cash. If you return the car without refueling, we will charge the cost of fuel plus a service fee - it is always cheaper to fill the tank yourself before returning.

Your rental includes 24-hour roadside assistance. If the car breaks down or you have a flat tyre, call the emergency number provided in your rental agreement (also displayed inside the car). A mechanic will be dispatched to your location anywhere in Malta or Gozo. Assistance is free of charge for mechanical faults.

If you are involved in a traffic accident, first check that everyone is safe. Call the Malta police on 112 if there are injuries or significant damage. Then contact 4Drive immediately using the emergency number. Do not admit fault or sign any documents from other drivers. Take photos of the damage and exchange insurance details. Your full insurance coverage will handle claims - you are not liable for repair costs.

In case of theft or total loss, report it to the police and contact us within 24 hours. The insurance covers theft with no excess, so you will not be charged. We will assist with police reports and paperwork.

Yes. One additional driver is included free in every 4Drive booking. Both drivers must be present at the time of pickup with valid driving licences and passports. The additional driver must meet the same age and licence requirements as the main driver (minimum 21 years old, or 25+ for premium vehicles).

If you need more than one additional driver (for example, a group of three people sharing driving on a road trip around Malta and Gozo), there is a small daily supplement. This is confirmed during booking. All drivers are covered by the full insurance with no excess.

No. All 4Drive rentals include unlimited mileage. You can drive as much as you like across Malta and Gozo without any distance restrictions or extra charges. Malta is a small island - you can drive from the south coast to Mellieha in the north in about 45 minutes - but with unlimited kilometres you are free to explore every corner, visit the Blue Grotto multiple times, take day trips to Mdina, and cross to Gozo without worrying about mileage fees.

Your 4Drive rental price includes: full insurance (CDW and third party liability) with no excess, unlimited mileage, one additional driver, 24-hour roadside assistance, airport or hotel delivery anywhere in Malta, free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup, and local taxes. There are no hidden charges.

Not included: fuel (you pay at the pump), optional extras such as child seats (EUR 5 per day) or GPS devices (EUR 7 per day), parking fees, ferry crossing to Gozo (paid to Gozo Channel Company, not to us), and traffic fines (if you incur any speeding tickets or parking penalties, these are your responsibility and will be forwarded to you after the rental).

Book directly through the 4Drive website or use the booking widget on any page. Prices are lowest when you book in advance - last-minute rentals (within 48 hours of pickup) may have limited availability and higher rates. Weekly rentals offer the best value per day compared to short 2-3 day bookings.

Off-season (November to March) rates are generally cheaper than summer peak season (June to September). If your travel dates are flexible, compare prices for different pickup days. Selecting a manual transmission car is usually cheaper than automatic, though we offer both. Economy and compact cars (Fiat Panda, Hyundai i20) are the most affordable, while SUVs and luxury models cost more but provide extra space and comfort for family travel.