This week, after having obtained my VRT certificate, I went to my insurance agent to pay my car insurance and driving licence. I have been doing this for many years, and I have never had any problems. This time I was informed that as there were two traffic fines pending, my driving licence could not be renewed.

I had never found any notes on the car windscreen, I had never received any notification through the post or otherwise, and I was never told to appear before the tribunal. The tribunal found me guilty for not showing up. Moreover the original fines (two @€12.30) were increased to €104.59.

The insurance clerk told me that it is useless to complain to the authorities as no one has ever succeeded in obtaining a refund. The authorities should be in a position to prove that the presumed culprit had actually been notified, through registered mail or other means.

I find that this treatment by Transport Malta amounts to highway robbery and outright blackmail.