Terms & Conditions

MaltaBest Car Hire ("MaltaBest", "we", "us") is a trading name of NovaDrive Service Centre Ltd (company registration C 116377, VAT No. MT32937930), a Malta-based company that operates this intermediary booking platform for car hire. Our registered office is 60, Triq Ħal Qormi, Marsa, Malta.

When you book, you reserve a vehicle category rather than a specific car. The rental is paid in full online by card when you book, on Stripe's secure payment page. Your card details are entered on that page and never reach us. The booking is confirmed only once the payment has gone through.

The total shown when you book is the full rental charge for the dates and options you selected, and it is the amount charged to your card. Optional extras chosen at the desk are charged separately.

The refundable security deposit is separate from the rental charge. It is held as a pre-authorisation on a card in the main driver's name at pick-up and released after the vehicle is returned (see section 6).

Bookings are non-refundable, however far ahead of pick-up they are cancelled. Once a booking is paid, no refund is given if you cancel it, shorten the rental or do not collect the vehicle.

If a vehicle of the category you booked cannot be provided, you will receive the nearest available alternative or a full refund.

You can ask to change your dates, vehicle category or driver details by replying to your confirmation email or by calling us on +356 9905 6366. Changes are subject to availability and may change the price.

The main driver and any additional drivers must hold a full, valid driving licence held for at least 12 months. EU/EEA licences are accepted as issued; licences from outside the EU/EEA should be accompanied by an International Driving Permit where they are not in the Latin alphabet.

At the desk you must present the physical licence, a valid passport or national ID card, and a card in the main driver's name for the security deposit.

The minimum age to hire is 21. Drivers aged 21–24 may be subject to a young-driver surcharge and to restrictions on certain vehicle categories. Some premium and high-value vehicles carry a higher minimum age. Any surcharge is shown before you confirm.

Every rental includes comprehensive motor insurance and collision-damage cover with a standard excess, which represents the maximum you would normally pay towards damage or theft. You may reduce the excess — up to zero — by choosing an upgraded cover option at booking or at the desk.

The excess amount may be pre-authorised on a card in the main driver's name at collection and released after the vehicle is returned undamaged. Damage to tyres, glass, the underbody and the interior, losses caused by driver negligence, and refuelling or traffic penalties may fall outside the standard cover — the rental agreement sets out the exact terms for your vehicle.

Vehicles are supplied on a full-to-full basis: you receive a full tank and return the vehicle with a full tank. If the vehicle is returned with less fuel, a refuelling charge at the published rate may apply. Prepaid-fuel and "full-to-empty" schemes are not offered.

The vehicle may be driven only by the named drivers on the agreement, on public roads in Malta and Gozo. Taking the vehicle on the Ċirkewwa–Mġarr ferry to Gozo is permitted; taking it off the Maltese islands is not, unless agreed in writing. Off-road use, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, use for hire or reward, and towing are not permitted.

You are responsible for the vehicle during the rental, including damage, loss, fines, tolls and charges arising during your hire. Nothing in these terms limits liability that cannot be limited under Maltese law, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence. Subject to that, our liability to you is limited to the total rental charges you have paid.

If something isn't right, tell the desk first so it can be put right quickly. You can also reach us using the details on our contact page. We aim to acknowledge written complaints promptly.

These terms and any rental agreement are governed by the laws of Malta, and the Maltese courts have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute. If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in force. Consumers keep the mandatory protections given to them by Maltese and EU consumer law, which these terms do not affect.