ADT impounds 285 cars with foreign number plates

A total of 285 cars bearing foreign registration plates were impounded by the Malta Transport Authority (ADT) since June 2006, The Times has learnt.

A spokesman for the ADT said that since the authority began carrying out surprise inspections on cars bearing foreign number plates, over 1,300 vehicles were stopped for an inspection. Of these, 285 cars were found to be in Malta illegally so they were either clamped or towed and taken to a depot where they are kept until the owners claim them after having regularised their position.

Referring to adverts published on the media with excerpts of the law on cars bearing foreign number plates, the spokesman said these appeared periodically to remind the public that there are laws and regulations that have to be adhered to with regard to the importation of new or second-hand vehicles from European Union member states.

The spokesman said the inspections held also revealed that about 550 vehicles bearing foreign registration plates belong to non-residents who have a working permit issued by the Employment and Training Corporation.

Registration of foreign vehicles imported from EU countries is processed upon an evaluation and inspection by the ADT's Technical Unit within a week from the date of arrival. The vehicle should be registered in Malta within a month of arrival.

Registration of cars coming from non-EU states is processed upon an evaluation by Customs. The amount to be paid to register the car is calculated on the cost of the vehicle, plus 18 per cent Value Added Tax on the applicable registration tax. Rates differ according to category of vehicle, engine capacity, gross weight and year of manufacture.

Tourists who bring with them their own cars with foreign number plates, can use them in Malta for up to 185 days in every calendar year. When this period expires, the vehicle must be either registered locally or exported.

Residents cannot use a vehicle that is not registered and plated in Malta and must start the registration procedure within five days from arrival of the vehicle in Malta.

In the case of Maltese citizens who have been living abroad and who return to Malta with their vehicles, registration tax and VAT will have to be paid as if the car is being imported for the first time.