Scooters, Quads and E-Bikes on Gozo: Everything You Need to Know

Is It Worth Hiring a Scooter, Quad or E-Bike on Gozo?

For the right kind of visitor, yes. Scooters and quads suit people who want flexibility without committing to a full hire car, or who simply find the open-air experience more appealing than sitting in traffic. They are also, on the whole, easier to park in village squares and at remote bays.

E-bikes work particularly well if you want to cover ground under your own steam without destroying your legs in the process. Gozo has more than thirty hills packed into roughly 67 square kilometres, and the gradients are not gentle. An e-bike removes the suffering from the equation while keeping the experience.

Quads occupy a different niche. They are fun, they carry a passenger comfortably, and they come with more restrictions than the other options — all of which are covered below.

How Much Does It Cost?

Scooter day rates

• 50cc scooter: approximately €30 to €40 per day. Fine for solo riders on shorter routes, though it will feel the strain on Gozo’s steeper gradients.
• 125cc scooter: approximately €35 to €50 per day. The most practical choice for couples or anyone planning to cover significant ground.
• Maxi scooter (200cc+): from around €55 per day. Best suited to longer journeys and more confident riders.

Quad day rates

Quad hire is often structured in time blocks rather than a flat day rate:

• Partial day (3 to 5 hours): approximately €60 to €85.
• Full day (7 to 9 hours): approximately €70 to €100. The standard option if you plan to stop at beaches and for lunch.
• Multi-day rental: approximately €55 to €70 per day when booked for consecutive days — operators including Gozo Quad Hire offer this rate.

E-bike day rates

Electric bikes start from around €26 per day with operators such as Ebike.MT, which specialises in e-bikes designed specifically for Gozo’s terrain. Some of the scooter rental agencies also hire out e-bikes.

A few things to factor in

Peak season premium: Rates in July and August typically run €10 to €20 higher per day than at other times of year. Some operators also require a minimum two-day rental during peak season, so if you are planning a single-day hire in summer, check the terms when you book.

Fuel: Quad hire usually operates on a full-to-full policy. A full day of riding typically adds around €10 to €15 in petrol costs.

Security deposit: Most operators, particularly for quads, require a credit card pre-authorisation of between €200 and €500 with a physical card. Some scooter operators offer deposit-free bookings, so it is worth asking when you are discussing your booking.

Where to Hire

Most operators are clustered at or near Mġarr Harbour, which makes practical sense. If you are arriving by ferry from Malta, you can collect your vehicle and be on your way within a few minutes of disembarking.

Scooters

Mgarr Tourist Services Located at Shop No. 4, Mġarr Harbour. A family-run operation with years of experience and the reviews to match with over 600 on TripAdvisor with a 4.2 average. They offer after-hours drop-offs and hire out both scooters and e-bikes alongside their main fleet. A solid first stop if you are arriving without a prior booking.

Gozo Scooter Rentals Also near the harbour, on Triq ix-Xatt. Smaller and newer than Mgarr Tourist Services but rated 4.9 out of 5 on Google across 32 reviews.

Scooter Freaks Gozo A further option in the Mġarr area with a range of scooter sizes for solo and tandem riders.

Quads

Gozo Quad Hire The most established quad operator on the island. Multi-day rates are competitive, and their website includes a detailed FAQ on GPS monitoring, permitted road use and deposit terms, worth reading before you book.

E-Bikes

Ebike.MT Based on Triq ix-Xatt, close to the harbour. They specialise entirely in electric bikes built to handle Gozo’s gradients, and hold a 4.9 out of 5 Google rating across 93 reviews. Flexible rental terms and a well-maintained fleet.

Mgarr Tourist Services (see above) also hire out electric mountain bikes alongside their scooter fleet.

Licence and Age Requirements

Requirements vary depending on what you are hiring, so check before you book rather than on the day.

For scooters

Minimum age: 21 at most operators. A small number — such as ST Rentals Malta — insure certain 50cc and 125cc models for riders aged 18 and over.

Licence requirements depend on the engine size and where your licence was issued.

For 50cc scooters, a standard car driving licence is sufficient for most travellers regardless of where it was issued.

For 125cc scooters and above, you will need a full motorcycle licence or a motorcycle endorsement on your existing licence. A standard car licence alone will not be accepted.

EU and UK licence holders: The standard European categories apply. A 50cc requires a Category AM or Category B (car) licence. A 125cc requires a Category A1, A2 or full A licence.

US, Canadian and Australian licence holders: A standard car licence only covers scooters under 50cc. To hire a 125cc scooter, your domestic licence must include a valid motorcycle endorsement. If it does not, you are limited to 50cc models.

International Driving Permit: If your licence was issued outside the EU, EEA or the USA, most hire companies will require an IDP.

For quads

Minimum age: 21 at most operators. ST Rentals Malta insures certain 170cc quad models from age 18.

Licence type: A full Category B car driving licence is required. A motorcycle-only licence is not accepted, nor is a provisional or learner’s permit.

Physical document required: The original licence card must be presented in person. Photographs on a phone, scanned copies and printed versions will be rejected.

For e-bikes

E-bikes that meet EU standards — up to 25km/h with a maximum 250W motor — are classified as standard bicycles and require no licence. Confirm the specifications with your provider if you are in any doubt about the model they are hiring out.

Top Tip: Bring your physical licence card regardless of what you are planning to hire. Having it to hand removes any uncertainty at the desk.

Riding on Gozo: What to Expect

Gozo is a genuinely good island for two wheels, and a reasonably forgiving one for first-time riders. A few things are worth knowing before you set off.

The hills are real. More than thirty of them in a small space, and several of the gradients are steep. A 50cc scooter will manage most routes but will slow noticeably on the sharper climbs. If you are covering the north coast, Dwejra and the south coast in a single day, a 125cc or an e-bike will make life considerably easier.

We drive on the left. If you are coming from a right-hand driving country, give yourself a few minutes to acclimatise in before you tackle anything complicated, junctions and roundabouts in particular. The principle applies on two wheels as much as four.

Village roads are tight. Gozo’s streets were laid out for carts, not modern vehicles, and some of the narrower lanes in places like Gharb, Kerċem and San Lawrenz will require patience and, occasionally, reversing to let oncoming traffic through. Take it slowly, especially in unfamiliar areas.

Your GPS will not always suggest the sensible route. Mapping apps favour the direct line, which on Gozo frequently means a steep, twisting lane with a hairpin bend or two when a slightly longer route via Victoria would be far less stressful. Check the route on the map before you commit. If it looks complicated on screen, go the longer way.

Parking is easier than with a car. In most villages and at most beaches, scooters and bikes can be tucked into gaps that would be impossible in a hire car. Use common sense around prohibited zones, yellow bays, garage doors and pedestrian areas, and you will generally be fine.

Quads come with specific restrictions. They are GPS-tracked in real time, and operators receive alerts for speeding, off-road driving and any attempt to board the Gozo Channel ferry. Quads hired on Gozo are restricted to the island and cannot cross to Malta. They must also be driven on public asphalt or designated roads only, beaches, fields and nature reserves are prohibited regardless of what the terrain looks like. Violations typically result in immediate confiscation of the security deposit.

The heat is a real consideration in summer. In July and August, real-feel temperatures on Gozo regularly hit the 40s. Gozo has limited shade on open roads. Bring water, cover your arms and neck, and try to avoid the hottest part of the afternoon if you can.

Helmets are legally required for both rider and passenger on scooters and quads, and are included in the hire price at most operators near Mġarr Harbour.

Booking

You can book directly with the operators below:

• Mgarr Tourist Services
• Gozo Scooter Rentals
• Scooter Freaks Gozo
• Gozo Quad Hire
• ebike.mt

You can compare and book options using the tool below.

If you would prefer to let someone else handle the navigation, guided quad and jeep tours are a popular way to see the island, particularly for first-time visitors who want local knowledge along with the open-air experience.

Getting Around on a Free Bike: Tallinja Bike

If you would rather not hire privately, Tallinja Bike is Malta’s public bike-share scheme and covers parts of Gozo. Journeys cost approximately €3 per ride, making it a practical option for shorter trips between the harbour and nearby villages.

For more information and to register: publictransport.com.mt/other-services/tallinja-bike

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FAQ

Getting Around the Rest of Gozo

Scooters and e-bikes are one option, but not the only one. If you would rather have a roof over your head, or leave the navigation to someone else, the guides below cover everything you need.

• Getting Around Gozo by Bus: Routes, Fares and the Tallinja App
• Taxis on Gozo: Bolt, Uber, White Taxis and What to Know
• Hiring a Car on Gozo: Costs, Rules and What to Know Before You Drive
• Full guide: Getting to and Around Gozo