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Program created in Malta offers 25 thousand euros to residents under 30 who agree to give up their driver’s license for five years, in a strategy to reduce congestion, decrease active drivers, and stimulate the use of public transport in the country.
Malta has begun offering 25 thousand euros to young residents who agree to give up their driver’s license for five years, in an attempt to reduce the number of cars on the road and tackle the constant congestion on the country’s roads. The initiative also aims to stimulate a change in behavior before car use becomes a habit among new drivers.
Named the Driver’s License Surrender Program, the plan was created by Maltese authorities in response to the high density of vehicles in the smallest country in Europe. The measure provides for annual payments and establishes specific rules for participation, focusing on younger drivers.
Program wants to reduce active drivers with financial incentive
Under the program, Malta offers 25 thousand euros, equivalent to $28,650, for drivers who voluntarily surrender their license and stop driving for a period of five years. The amount is paid in annual installments of 5 thousand euros throughout the agreed period.
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If the participant withdraws before the end of the period, they will have to proportionally return the amounts already received. The proposal was presented as a way to decrease the number of active drivers and encourage alternative modes of transportation.
According to Malta’s Minister of Transport, Chris Bonett, one of the main objectives of the initiative is to provoke a “mobility shock,” especially among young people. The intention is to intervene in this behavior before driving becomes a deeply ingrained habit.
Who can participate in the driver’s license surrender
To join the program, the driver must be under 30 years old and have lived in Malta for at least seven years. It is also required that the person has held a driver’s license for at least 12 months and has not had their license suspended or revoked.
The Maltese government has allocated an annual budget of 5 million euros to fund the initiative. As a result, the number of beneficiaries has been limited to 1,000 people per year.
The initial comments on the program indicate strong interest from young drivers. The initial assessment suggests that, for many of them, the financial incentive weighs more than the possibility of continuing to drive.
Permanent suspension and new requirement after five years
One of the most unusual features of the program is the status of the license after surrender. Once surrendered, the license is considered permanently suspended during the agreed period.
At the end of the five years, anyone wishing to return to driving will not be able to simply reactivate their previous license. They will need to complete 15 hours of driving lessons to obtain a new license.
The authorities in Malta state that the initiative was designed to reduce traffic and stimulate the use of public transport. The ultimate goal is to tackle two problems at once: road congestion and pollution levels.
With the program, the country aims to mitigate the effects of a high vehicle fleet in a small territory. The government’s bet is that the payment in exchange for the temporary renunciation of the license can change mobility patterns and reduce pressure on the road system.
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