Updated 5 p.m.

Salvu Vella, a resident of Comino, has been exempt from the requirement to pay a road licence, as long as he only drives his car in Comino.

The decision was taken today by Transport Minister Austin Gatt and Finance Minister Tonio Fenech.

timesofmalta.com reported earlier today that Mr Vella had been ordered by a police inspector not to drive his car because he had not paid road tax - even though there are no roads on the tiny island.

Mr Vella said he had received a phone call from a police inspector two weeks ago warning him not to drive and that the policeman on Comino had been instructed to book him if he did.

Mr Vella argued with the inspector that he should not be expected to pay road tax when there were no roads.

There are only dirt tracks on Comino and Mr Vella actually fills in the holes when necessary, at his expense.

He said the use of his truck was important to carry supplies from the boats in Sta Marija Bay to his home, nearly 2km away.

He first took his vehicle on the island 40 years ago and had never previously been asked to pay road tax.

Mr Vella and another three members of his family are the only permanent residents on Comino.

The Transport Ministry said any vehicle driven only on Comino was exempt from road licence payment requirements.

Mr Vella, who was informed of the announcement by timesofmalta.com, said he was delighted by the decision. "Common sense has prevailed," he said.