A staggering 26,217 vehicles were without a valid licence as of December 31, with renewal overdue for years in many cases, Transport Minister Austin Gatt has said in parliament.
Replying to a parliamentary question, he said that Transport Malta has started a process whereby, every month, it writes to owners whose vehicle licence would have expired by more than three months. In it they are informed about the licence payments due, as well as unpaid fines.
The owners are also being told that if they fail to settle their licence payments within 90 days after due date, they would be liable for an administrative fine of €2 per day.
Last September, Transport Malta also launched an SMS alerts service whereby registered users could be advised on due licence payments or VRTs.
The minister also said in reply to another question that Transport Malta is taking action against 248 persons for failing to renew their road licences.