Car drivers can drive selected motorcycles, following training, as from 1st January. Transport Malta is implementing the measure as announced during the last Budget Speech.
The motorcycle’s cylinder capacity must not exceed 125cc and have a power rating of 11KW or less. The power/weight ratio for electric motorcycles must not exceed 0.15KW per kg. Motor tricycles’s power must not exceed 15KW.
Drivers must train with a certified motoring school for ten hours, seven hours of which will be practical. The motoring school will issue a certificate and Transport Malta will update the licence with the national code 111. Drivers will not be allowed to carry a pillion rider.
Download policy for further details
The Syllabus for training.
The training syllabus is a gradual tuition program, divided in five units. The training syllabus covers a series of theoretical and practical elements that effectively improve the student’s learning experience, in a structured layout.
The syllabus modules are divided into the following stages:
- Module 1. Introduction (1.5 hrs)
- Module 2. Theory on-site training (1.5 hrs)
- Module 3. Practical on-site riding (2 hrs)
- Module 4. Practical on-road training (3 hrs)
- Module 5. Practical on-road riding (2 hrs)
Module 1 – Introduction (Duration of 1.5 hrs), during this unit, candidates are gradually introduced to the training syllabus and the basics of motorcycle riding. In summary, unit 1 is focused to cover an overall approach to the riding skills and road safety, unit 1 will cover:
- Overview of the syllabus,
- General and basic legal provisions,
- Protective equipment, safety helmets and proper clothing,
- Eyesight check and eyesight requirements,
- Familiarity with the vehicles a candidate can ride with the category he/she is applying for,
- Basic theoretical knowledge of balance and handling skills,
- Basic theoretical knowledge of clutch, throttle and brakes operation,
- General adaptation with the motorcycle ancillary controls,
At the end of this unit, candidates should be familiar and clearly understand the purpose and relevance of the training syllabus. In addition, unit 1 will expose candidates to the very basic theoretical steps of motorcycle riding.
Unit 2 – Theory on-site training (Duration of 1.5 hrs) during this unit, candidates are gradually introduced to the practical aspect of the training syllabus via theoretical lessons. In summary, unit 2 is focused to cover an overall practical approach to the riding skills and road safety, unit 2 will cover:
- Practical overview of the training syllabus,
- Practical use and wear of protective equipment, safety helmets and proper clothing,
- Familiarity with the vehicles a candidate can ride with the category he/she is applying for from a practical perspective,
- Basic theoretical knowledge of balance and handling skills,
- Basic theoretical knowledge of clutch, throttle and brakes operation,
- Practical adaptation with the motorcycle ancillary controls,
At the end of this unit, candidates should be able to show knowledge of how the motorcycle works and sound familiarity with the motorcycle controls. In addition, candidates must be able to affect basic safety checks, switch on/off the engine, use motorcycle stands, and safely wheel the motorcycle. Also, unit 2 will expose candidates to the feel of the weight and balance of the motorcycle.
Unit 3 – Practical on-site training (Duration of 2 hrs) during this module, students are gradually introduced to the practical aspect of the syllabus via practical riding lessons on-site. In summary, unit 3 is focused to cover in detail the basic practical and skills needed to approach riding in a safe manner via hands-on tuition, unit 3 will cover:
- riding in a straight line and stopping
- riding slowly
- using the brakes
- use of gears
- riding a figure of eight
- emergency stop
- rear observation
- turning left and right
- u-turns
At the end of this unit, candidates should acquire an acceptable level of confidence with the machine and be able to ride a motorcycle safely and under control with minimum supervision.
Unit 4 – Practical on-the road training (Duration of 3 hrs). During this unit, students are introduced to the practical aspect of the training syllabus via practical riding lessons on public roads. The trainer during this unit will assist and monitor the student skills and behavior to ride legally and safely on public roads. In summary, unit 4 is focused to cover in detail the basic practical skills needed to approach riding in a safe manner on the road, unit 4 will cover:
- being visible to other road users
- vulnerability of motorcyclists
- speed
- Highway Code regulation specific to motorcycles
- anticipation skills
- rear observation
- road positioning
- separation distance
- weather conditions
- road surfaces
- alcohol and drugs
- attitude
- hazard perception
At the end of this unit, candidates should acquire an acceptable level of confidence with the machine and be able to ride a motorcycle safely and under control with minimum supervision on public roads.
Unit 5 – Practical on-the road training (Duration of 2 hrs) during this unit, students are introduced to the final element of the training syllabus via practical riding on public roads. The trainer during this module will monitor the student skills and behavior to ride legally and safely on public roads via radio contact with the trainer. In summary, unit 5 is targeted to cover in detail the final practical skills needed to approach riding in a safe manner on the road. Unit 5 will cover:
- traffic lights
- roundabouts and junctions
- pedestrian crossings
- riding on slopes and hills
- bends
- obstructions
- u-turns
- an emergency stop
Certified Motoring Schools
The list is updated until 11th December 2015.
Malta
- ABC
- Cortis
- Cycleworld
- Delmar
- EDA
- Gordons
- Hermia
- Mario Motoring School
- Philips Motoring School
- RPM
- Rudolph
- Tewmi Motoring School
Gozo
- J & J Motoring School
- Let’s Ride Gozo
- Miriam Motoring School
- Sammy Motoring School
Transport Malta News 
You must be logged in to post a comment.