Do I need a lawyer for a minor traffic offence hearing in Malta?

You are generally entitled to represent yourself in court, including for relatively minor matters heard before the Court of Magistrates, and Maltese law does not require legal representation for every category of criminal or quasi-criminal proceeding, so this is ultimately your choice to make. That said, even matters that feel minor from the outside can carry consequences beyond just the immediate fine, such as points or effects on your driving licence, a formal entry that may appear on future conduct certificates, or complications if the matter turns out to be more serious than initially assumed once the actual charge and evidence are reviewed properly. A lawyer can also help you understand exactly what you are actually being charged with, since the formal legal description of an offence isn't always intuitive, and can advise on whether there are any procedural or evidential issues worth raising, or whether simply accepting responsibility and addressing the court directly is genuinely the most sensible approach in your specific case. Given that a short consultation before the hearing is a relatively low-cost way to get clarity on what you're actually facing, it is often worthwhile even for cases that feel minor at first glance.