Kerosene truck owners challenge ADT's refusal to accept conversion bid

The owners of a kerosene truck are complaining that the transport authority is refusing to accept their application to convert their vehicle into a bowser so they can keep their licence.

Anthony Bugeja and his wife Maria Helen filed a judicial protest against the transport authority (ADT) and the Transport Ministry.

They said they had been in the kerosene business for the past 32 years and their truck had been in operation for the past 13 years. When they applied for the renewal of their licence, the ADT told them they needed the certification of an engineer so their truck could be registered as a bowser. They presented the authority with the certificate required, showing that the truck was in good working condition.

However, the ADT did not issue the licence, this time saying the applicants needed an EU certificate for the carriage of dangerous goods and had to change the truck's tank into a new one. Such requests were made verbally and nothing was put down in writing.

The Bugejas insisted it was unacceptable that the ADT did not accept their application to change the log book from one of a truck to that of a bowser. As a result, they were not able to use their truck for the past two months.

They called on the ADT to accept the application and indicate in writing any requirements needed. They also held it and the ministry liable in damages. Lawyers Edward Zammit Lewis and Adrian Camilleri signed the protest.