I have recently acquired a used car from the UK and was appalled by the highly bureaucratic registration process in place. Upon importation, individuals are advised to call at ADT to start registration procedures. The application for the registration of such vehicle must be made within seven days from date of arrival into Malta, otherwise the individual is liable to pay an administration fee of €30 per day until the vehicle is registered, including weekends and public holidays during which time ADT offices are closed. It is also illegal to drive the car until local registration plates are issued, or else a very hefty fine is payable. Perhaps someone with a more sound legal background than mine could indicate the legality of such practice.

A file is opened and a receipt containing the file number, date and time of inspection is issued. When the vehicle is presented for inspection on the appointment date, the vehicle details are verified against the Registration Certificate and the printout from the ADT's online website. Following this inspection the vehicle owner is then requested to take the vehicle to a VRT station and perform a VRT test. It is very important that, following inspection, the receipt containing the file number is handed back to the individual. At this stage the owner is to present a Passed VRT Test and insurance certificates for the vehicle to be registered accordingly.

While at first glance this procedure appears pretty straightforward, individuals should be cautioned to expect long waiting lines lasting several hours each time. Waiting times are further exacerbated by the practice of not allowing payments exceeding €500 to be effected by personal cheque.

As a result, most individuals pay by cash such that a significant amount of time is wasted counting money. Moreover, owners should expect to call at ADT at least four times before the registration process is over.

Once the registration paper work is done with, registration plates are issued. However this takes at least two weeks, with some car owners complaining of an even longer wait. In the meantime car owners are paying for the licence, insurance and car storage space without the benefit of being able to drive their car as the foreign number plates have to be forfeited.

I hope that the situation takes a turn for the better soon.