Clampdown on irregular foreign-plate-vehicles Transport Malta

Transport Malta clamped a number of irregular foreignregistered vehicles over the weekend in an effort to curb abuse, the authority said in a statement.

A legal notice enacted a few weeks ago has enabled Transport Malta to re-introduce clamping – a move aimed at enabling the authority to better enforce traffic laws.

Despite numerous roadside vehicle checks carried out by Transport Malta and the police, a number of individuals continue to abuse the system by failing to register foreign-plated vehicles with Transport Malta as stipulated by law – a situation that leaves authorities with limited means to trace the owners of such vehicles in the case of traffic contraventions, which may range from the relatively minor, such as irregular parking, to potentially fatal accidents.

Transport Malta will also be carrying out random patrols to identify vehicles with foreign registration plates and to follow up on reports it receives. Vehicles found to be irregular will be clamped and removal by a TM official will be subject to a €180 fee. If the vehicle is not reclaimed, it will be towed and additional fees will apply.

A vehicle with a foreign registration plate can only be driven by a non-resident and can circulate on Maltese roads for up to seven months within a period of 12 months.