Citizens of EU Member States can exchange their driving licence into a Maltese driving licence with no hassle at all: one just goes to Transport Malta and it is changed.
However, nationals of European countries that are not in the EU have to go to a motoring school and then apply and sit for a driving examination. An international driving licence is valid only for one year from the date of first arriving in Malta.
I find this process totally unnecessary. When asked why this was the case, some people mentioned the creation of false licences. But how many times have we heard about paying for licences in Italy or the UK?
Also, such a lengthy procedure is creating hardship for people who feel that driving is essential for their living, and the waiting time means that they will lose some (or much) of their earning power.
I really believe that the same conditions should apply to all European citizens.