L.S. 368.02 Regolamenti dwar ir-Reġistrazzjoni u l-Liċenzjar ta’ Vetturi bil-Mutur

(3)of the Waste Management (End-of-Life Vehicles) Regulations; "company" has the same meaning as is assigned to it in article 2 of the Companies Act; "co-operative society" means a co-operative society registered or provisionally registered under the Co-operative Societies Act; "CO 2 emissions" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in article 2 of the Act; "cycle" means, for the purpose of these regulations, a cycle fitted with an engine having a cylinder capacity of more than 50 cm3 if of the internal combustion type and, or a maximum design speed of more than 45 km/h, and includes motor cycles, motor tricycles and quadricycles; "Directive 1999/37/EC" means Council Directive 1999/37/EC of 29 April 1999 on the registration documents for vehicles as amended by Directive (EU) 2022/362 of the European Parliament and the Council of 24th February 2022, as amended from time to time; "Directive 2006/42/EC" means Directive 2006/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2006 on machinery, and amending Directive 95/16/EC; "Directive 2014/45/EU" means Directive 2014/45/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 on periodic roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers and repealing Directive 2009/40/EC; "driver" means any person who drives a motor vehicle even for a short period; "EC declaration of conformity" means the document drawn up by the manufacturer or his authorised representative in accordance with Directive 2006/42/EC; "end-of-life vehicle" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in Article 2 of Directive 2000/53/EC; REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES [ S.L.368.02 "EU individual vehicle approval certificate" means the certificate issued by an approval authority of a Member State in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/858, which certifies that a particular vehicle, whether unique or not, satisfies the relevant administrative provisions and technical requirements for EU individual vehicle approval; "the European Union" has the same meaning as is given to it in the European Union Act and includes Norway, Icelan d and Liechtenstein; "goods carrying motor vehicle" or "goods vehicle" means any N1, or N2 or N3 motor vehicle; "hire" shall include the long-term lease of a vehicle covered by a lease agreement; "hire or reward" means any payment or compensation made for the carrying of passengers or goods, whether such payment or compensation is made directly or indirectly; "imported into Malta" means the entry into Malta of a motor vehicle from a third country; "licence" means the circulation licence issued on a motor vehicle to be driven on the road and which is to be renewed annually; "light passenger transport vehicle" means any M1 motor vehicle licensed to be used for the carriage of persons against payment, other than a taxi; "machinery" shall have the same meaning assigned to it in Directive 2006/42/EC; "maximum authorised mass" means the maximum technically permissibl e laden m ass of a motor vehicle as st ated by the manufacturer; "M1 vehicle" means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of passengers and comprising no more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat; "M2 vehicle" means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of passengers, comprising more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat, and having a maximum mass not exceeding 5 tonnes; "M3 vehicle" means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of passengers, comprising more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat, and having a maximum mass exceeding 5 tonnes; "Member State" means a Member State of the European Union; "the Minister" means the Minister responsible for land transport; "motor caravan" or "motor home" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in article 2 of the Act; "motor cycle" means any two-wheeled vehicle, with or without a sidecar, fitted with an engine having a cylinder capacity of more than 50cm 3 if of the internal combustion type and, or having a maximum design speed of more than 45 km/h; "motor hearse" means any motor vehicle used for the conveyance of corpses; Cap.

1. 3 4 [ S.L.368.02 REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES "motor tricycle" means a motor cycle with three symmetrically arranged wheels; "motor vehicle" means any mechanically self-propelled vehicle intended for use on the road, other than a vehicle running on rails, the maximum designed speed of which exceeds 45 kilometers per hour; "motor vehicle for hire" means a motor vehicle which is registered and licensed to be hired or leased from a vehicle hire services operator, and for the purpose of being driven by such hirer or lessee in accordance with the Light Passenger Transport Services and Vehicle Hire Services Regulations; "motor vehicle on resale" means a motor vehicle which is transferred to an authorised motor vehicle dealer for resale; "N1 vehicle" means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes; "N2 vehicle" means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 12 tonnes; "N3 vehicle" means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass exceeding 12 tonnes; "national holidays" has the same meaning as assigned to it in article 2 of the Act; "new motor vehicle" means, for the purpose of these regulations, a motor vehicle which has never been registered in any country; "normal residence" has the same meaning as is assigned to it in the Act; S.L. 65.21 "O1, O2, O3 and O4 motor vehicles" have the same meaning assigned to them by the Motor Vehicles (Weights, Dimensions and Equipment) Regulations; " o ff - r o a d v e h i c l e " m e a n s a m o t o r v e h i c l e d e s i g n e d a n d constructed primarily for use other than on roads; "owner" means the person, whether as an individual or in representation of a company, partnership or cooperative society, in whose name a motor vehicle is registered and licensed; Cap.
2. "partnership" includes an association, not registered under the Companies Act, between two or more persons; "passenger transport vehicle" means any M2 or M3 motor vehicle used for the carriage of persons against payment; "public highway" means any national arterial, distributor, access and local access road; "public holidays" has the same meaning as assigned to it in article 2 of the Act; "quadricycle" means a vehicle with four wheels whose unladen mass is not more than 400 kg (550 kg for vehicles intended for carrying goods), not including the mass of batteries in the case of electric vehicles, and whose maximum net engine power does not exceed 15 kW; REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES [ S.L.368.02 "rebuilt motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle which has been rebuilt using a replacement chassis or integrated chassis or body which is of the same design and construction as that of the original vehicle and which was supplied for the purpose without having been previously used, or previously formed part of a registered vehicle. For registration purposes it shall be considered as a used vehicle; "reference mass" means the mass of the vehicle in running order less the uniform mass of the driver of 75 kg and increased by a uniform mass of 100 kg; "register" means the record kept electronically by the Authority of data on all the motor vehicles registered and licensed by it; "registered user of a motor vehicle" means a person who, not being the owner of a motor vehicle, makes habitual use of that motor vehicle and is registered as such in terms of regulation 7A; "registered users of motor vehicles register" means the register kept by the Authority of all persons and/or companies who, not being the owners of a motor vehicle, make habitual use of that motor vehicle and are registered as such in terms of regulation 7A; "registration certificate" means the document which certifies that the vehicle is registered; "registration mark" means the registration number assigned to a motor vehicle; "registration plate" means a plate or other device displaying the registration mark of a motor vehicle; "registration tax" means the registration tax paid under the Act; "Regulation (EU) No 167/2013" means Regulation (EU) No 167/ 2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 February 2013 on the approval and market surveillance of agricultural and forestry vehicles; "Regulation (EU) No 168/2013" means Regulation (EU) No 168/ 2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2013 on the approval and market surveillance of two- or threewheel vehicles and quadricycles; "Regulation (EU) No 2018/858" means Regulation (EU) No 2018/ 858 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, amending Regulations (EC) No 715/2007 and (EC) No 595/2009 and repealing Directive 2007/46/EC; "re-use" means an operation by which components of end-of life vehicles are used for the same purpose for which they were conceived; "Single Vehicle Approval" means the procedure whereby a Malta certifies that a particular vehicle, whether unique or not, satisfies the relevant administrative provisions and technical requirements and "Single Vehicle Approval certificate" means the certificate issued in respect of a single type approved vehicle; 5 6 [ S.L.368.02 REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES "taxi" means a passenger motor vehicle which may carry no more than five passengers in addition to the driver, which is fitted with a taximeter, and which is licensed to stand and ply for hire as a taxi; "third country" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in article 2 of the Act; "trailer" means any vehicle without mechanical power of its own designed to be drawn by a motor vehicle and intended for the purpose of the carriage of goods; "treatment" means any activity after the end-of-life vehicle has been handed over to an authorised treatment facility for depollution, dismantling, shearing, shredding, recovery or preparation for disposal of the shredder wastes, and any other operation carried out for the recovery and, or disposal of the end-of life vehicle and its components; "used motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle which is not a new motor vehicle; "vehicle hire undertaking" has the same meaning as assigned to it in article 2 of the Act; "vintage vehicle" has the same meaning as assigned to it in article 2 of the Act. Part II REGISTRATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES Motor vehicles to be registered. Amended by: L.N. 178 of
4. No person shall have in his possession or charge any motor vehicle which has not been registered with the Authority unless (a) that person is an authorized manufacturer, agent or dealer of motor vehicles and the vehicle in his possession or charge is not being used on the road, or (b) the vehicle is the subject of an exemption under the Act; or (c) the vehicle is registered in another country and is used by a person who has his normal residence in Malta for a period of not more than thirty consecutive calendar days which are to be reckoned from the date of arrival of such vehicle in Malta and such vehicle has not been used on the road in Malta during the last three hundred and sixty five days prior to its arrival in Malta. Registration of new vehicles. Amended by: L.N. 110 of 2011; L.N. 195 of 2011; L.N. 178 of 2015; L.N. 342 of 2015; L.N. 139 of 2018; L.N. 265 of
5. 4.

(1)For the purpose of the registration of a new vehicle, the owner or importer of a new motor vehicle shall be required to submit to the Authority the Registration Form for New Vehicles (Form VEH. 01), duly completed, together with the following documents: (

1. a)a valid certificate of conformity in accordance with: - Regulation (EU) No 2018/858 in respect of M, N and O category vehicles, - Regulation (EU) No 168/2013 in respect of cycles, and - Regulation (EU) No 167/2013 in respect of REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES [ S.L.368.02 agricultural tractors: Provided that vehicles designed and constructed or adapted for use by the Armed Forces of Malta shall be exempted from this requirement: Provided further that for the following vehicles, a valid EU individual vehicle approval certificate shall be accepted in lieu of a certificate of conformity: (
2. i)vehicles designed and constructed for use principally on construction sites or in quarries, port or airport facilities, (
3. ii)vehicles designed and constructed or adapted for use by civil protection, fire services and forces responsible for maintaining public order, (iii) any self-propelled vehicle designed and constructed specifically to perform work and that, because of its construction characteristics, is not suitable for carrying passengers or for transporting goods, and that is not machinery mounted on a motor vehicle chassis, (
4. iv)vehicles intended exclusively for racing on roads, (
5. v)prototypes of vehicles used on the road under the responsibility of a manufacturer to perform a specific test programme provided they have been specifically designed and constructed for that purpose, (
6. b)a valid EC declaration of conformity in accordance with Directive 2006/42/EC in respect of machinery used on the road, (
7. c)Repealed by Legal Notice 265 of 2022. (
8. d)Repealed by Legal Notice 265 of 2022. (
9. e)evidence of payment of duties to Customs if the vehicle is imported from a third country, (
10. f)an invoice issued by the manufacturer or by an authorized agent of the manufacturer showing the cost of vehicle and, in the case of a goods vehicle or an offroad vehicle the engine capacity and maximum authorised mass, and other documents showing the CIF price, 7 8 [ S.L.368.02 REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES (
11. g)a legally valid identification document issued in terms of the Identity Card and other Identity Documents Act, or some other legally valid identification document or a residence permit document issued in terms of the Immigration Act: Cap. 258 Cap. 217. Provided that where a new motor vehicle is imported or brought in permanently by a person for his own use, the application for the registration of the said motor vehicle together with the required documents shall be submitted to the Authority within thirty days following the motor vehicle’s arrival in Malta: Provided further that where such a person, for unjustified reasons, fails to comply with the preceding proviso, he shall be liable to an administrative fine of thirty euro (€30) for each day the vehicle, not being an agricultural tractor, remains not registered on the expiry of the said thirty days.

(2)The registration of new vehicles shall only be made (a) in the case of a new motor vehicle brought in from a Member State, upon the presentation of the documents referred to in sub-regulation

(1)and upon payment of (

1. i)a fifteen euro (€15) administrative fee payable to the Authority, (
2. ii)the prescribed registration tax in accordance with the Act, and Cap. 406. (iii) the prescribed VAT in accordance with the Value Added Tax Act, (
3. b)in the case of a new motor vehicle imported from a third country upon the presentation of the documents referred to in sub-regulation

(1)and upon the payment of (

1. i)a fifteen euro (€15) administrative fee payable to the Authority, (
2. ii)the prescribed vehicle registration tax, Cap. 337. (iii) the prescribed import duty in accordance with the Import Duties Act, and (
3. iv)the prescribed VAT; (
4. c)in the case of motor vehicles constructed in Malta not in low volume upon the presentation of a Certificate of Conformity in the case of an M1 motor vehicle or a cycle or a Single Vehicle Approval certificate in the case of motor vehicles manufactured in low volumes or in the case of an amateur built motor vehicle, invoices showing the cost of production of the motor vehicle excluding VAT and upon the payment of (
5. i)aa fifteen euro (€15) administrative fee payable to the Authority, (
6. ii)the prescribed vehicle registration tax, and (iii) VAT: REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES [ S.L.368.02 Provided that where the owner of the vehicle is an exempt person from the payment of the said vehicle registration tax or from the payment of duty prescribed under the Import Duties Act, or from the payment of the prescribed VAT, the registration of the vehicle shall be made upon the payment of a fifteen euro (€15) administrative fee payable to the Authority, and the presentation of the documents referred to in paragraph (
7. c)and sub-regulation

(1): 9 Cap. 337. Provided further that where the application for the registration of a motor vehicle under this regulation is made online, the administrative fee payable to the Authority under this subregulation shall be of ten euro (€10) and where such application for registration is made by a motor vehicle importer, agent or dealer on behalf of the purchaser, the importer, agent or dealer shall give to the purchaser the original receipt issued by the Authority for the said payment of the administrative fee. Where an importer, agent or dealer fails to give the said receipt to the purchaser, he shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine (multa) of one hundred euro (€100).

(3)Before registering a motor vehicle under this regulation, the Authority may require the owner or importer of the said motor vehicle to produce the vehicle for inspection or to produce other documentation as necessary. For an inspection there shall be charged an administrative fee of fifty euro (€50).

(4)A new motor vehicle which has been imported or brought into Malta may only be used on the road, prior to registration by the Authority, from the port of entry to the place where it is to be garaged until it is so registered and licensed, if that vehicle carries a ‘Trial Run’ plate in accordance with regulation 36.

(5)The provisions of this regulation shall not apply to any motor vehicle which is the property of any visiting military force. 5.

(1)Where a vehicle chassis, whether new or used, which has been imported or brought into Malta, is used to replace the chassis of a motor vehicle which is already registered with the Authority, the owner of that motor vehicle shall, within seven days, notify the Authority on the prescribed form of such replacement.

(2)Where a vehicle chassis is replaced by another vehicle chassis, whether new or used, which is of the same make and model, no registration tax shall be payable to the Authority.

(3)Where a vehicle chassis is replaced by another vehicle chassis, whether used or not, which is not of the same make and model of the replaced vehicle chassis, the payment of registration tax as prescribed in the First Schedule or the Second Schedule of the Act, as the case may be, shall be incurred as if the vehicle on which the replacement vehicle chassis will be fitted is being brought to tax in Malta in terms of the Act for the first time. Imported chassis to be declared. Amended by; L.N. 178 of 2015. 10 [ S.L.368.02 Registration of used motor vehicles. Amended by: L.N. 110 of 2011; L.N. 195 of 2011; L.N. 178 of 2015; L.N. 342 of 2015; L.N. 139 of 2018; L.N. 265 of 2022. REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES 6.

(1)Every used motor vehicle imported or brought into Malta by a person who is a resident of Malta or has his normal residence in Malta or has his principal place of business in Malta, and every rebuilt and amateur built motor vehicle which is classified as a used vehicle shall be registered with the Authority.

(2)A person who imports or brings into Malta a used motor vehicle as provided for under this regulation shall file an application and provide all the relevant documents as provided for in sub-regulation

(4), for the registration of the said vehicle with the Authority within thirty days from the motor vehicle’s arrival in Malta.

(3)Where a person, who is not an authorised dealer, fails, for unjustified reasons, to comply with the preceding sub-regulation he may be liable to an administrative fine of thirty euro (€30) for each day that vehicle remains not registered on the expiry of the thirtyday period referred to in sub-regulation

(2): Provided that no such administrative fine shall be paid where the vehicle is an agricultural tractor.

(4)For the purpose of registering an imported used motor vehicle or a used motor vehicle which had been brought into Malta or a rebuilt motor vehicle or an amateur built vehicle, the owner or importer or authorized dealer of that vehicle shall be required to submit to the Authority the Registration Form for Used Vehicles (VEH 01), duly completed, together with the following documents: (

1. a)a vehicle registration certificate or an export certificate and, where appropriate, an English or Maltese translation thereof, issued by the competent authority of the country from where the vehicle has been registered and imported or brought into Malta, (
2. b)in the case of M2, M3, N1, N2, N3, O1, O2, O3 and O4 vehicles an invoice showing the price, chassis number, engine capacity and maximum authorised mass, a declaration of origin and technical data or specifications, S.L. 65.15 (
3. c)certificate of roadworthiness issued in terms of the Motor Vehicle Roadworthiness Test Regulations, (
4. d)motor insurance policy, (
5. e)inspection form issued by the Authority upon the valuation of the vehicle, where applicable, (
6. f)Single Vehicle Type approval certificate in the case of an M1 vehicle or a cycle imported from a third country, unless such M1 vehicle or cycle has a valid certificate of conformity: Provided that a used M1 vehicle or a cycle that is imported into Malta from the United Kingdom on or after the 1st January 2021 and that was already registered in the United Kingdom on or before the 31st December 2020 shall be exempted from this requirement, (
7. g)Single Vehicle Type approval certificate based on REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES [ S.L.368.02 standards established by the Authority in the case of used 4-wheel-drive N1 vehicles with a maximum authorised mass of up to 3,000 kgs imported from a third country, unless such vehicles have a valid certificate of conformity, and in the case of rebuilt or amateur built motor vehicles: Provided that a used 4-wheel-drive N1 vehicle with a maximum authorised mass of up to 3,000 kgs that is imported into Malta from the United Kingdom on or after the 1st January 2021 and that was already registered in the United Kingdom on or before the 31st December 2020 shall be exempted from this requirement,, (
8. h)in the case of M1 and N1 vehicles imported from a third country, documentation approved by the Authority and which shows that the vehicle has an authentic odometer reading, (
9. i)in respect of M1 vehicles purchased from another Member State and brought into Malta on the 1st April, 2011 or thereafter, a documentation approved by the Authority showing the vehicle’s authentic odometer reading: Provided that where a Certificate of Authenticity is not provided, the Authority may always request any additional documentation besides the documentation submitted by the applicant and may also carry out any checks and verifications in order to confirm the authenticity of the odometer reading: Provided further that the Authority may verify the odometer reading of any used vehicle brought into Malta from another Member State on or after the 1st January, 2010, with any approved body and where it results that a discrepancy exists between the vehicle’s actual odometer reading recorded at inspection stage by the Authority and the authentic certificate, the registered owner of the vehicle shall pay (
10. i)the additional registration tax due being the difference between the registration tax paid upon the registration of the vehicle and the registration tax which would have been due if the discrepancy did not exist, and (
11. ii)an administrative fine, to the Authority, which shall be equal to the amount of the additional registration tax as specified under sub-paragraph (i), (
12. j)a legally valid identification document issued in terms of the Identity Card and other Identity Documents Act, or some other legally valid identification document or a residence permit document issued in terms of the Immigration Act; (
13. k)a document attesting the date of the vehicle’s first arrival in Malta, together with the fiscal receipt, bearing the same date, issued in terms of the Value Cap. 258. Cap. 217. Cap. 406. 11 12 [ S.L.368.02 REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES Added Tax Act specifying the foreign registration number of the vehicle, both of which are to be issued by the shipping organization having transported the vehicle to Malta.

(5)Before registering a used motor vehicle brought into Malta from another member State, or a rebuilt or amateur built motor vehicle, the Authority shall carry out a verification to confirm that the motor vehicle details are consistent with those in the registration certificate, and to establish the registration value of the motor vehicle where applicable, for which there shall be charged an administrative fee of fifty-five euro (€55). The Authority may as part of that verification, require the owner of the said motor vehicle, to produce the vehicle for an inspection and, or to produce other documentation as necessary.

(6)The registration of an imported used motor vehicle or a used motor vehicle which had been brought into Malta, or a rebuilt or amateur built motor vehicle shall be made by the Authority upon (

1. a)the payment by the owner, importer or authorized dealer of an administrative fee of fifteen euro (€15) payable to the Authority, (
2. b)the payment by the owner, importer or authorised dealer of any fines incurred by the motor vehicle in question in Malta; (
3. c)the presentation of the documents mentioned in subregulation

(4)and upon payment of the prescribed vehicle registration tax, if the vehicle is acquired from a Member State, or it is a rebuilt or amateur built motor vehicle, and Cap. 337. (d) the presentation of the documents mentioned in subregulation

(4)and upon payment of the prescribed import duty under the Import Duties Act, and the prescribed vehicle registration tax, if the vehicle is acquired from a third country: Provided that where the application for the registration of a motor vehicle under this regulation is made online, the administrative fee payable to the Authority under this subregulation shall be of ten euro (€10) and where such application for registration is made by a motor vehicle importer, agent or dealer on behalf of the purchaser, the importer, agent or dealer shall give to the purchaser the original receipt issued by the Authority for the payment of the said administrative fee. Where an importer, agent or dealer fails to give the said receipt to the purchaser, he shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine (multa) of one hundred euro (€100): Provided further that the Authority shall have the right to refuse the registration of an imported used motor vehicle or of a used motor vehicle which has been brought into Malta in the event that the recorded history of such vehicle shows that it had suffered irreparable damage. REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES [ S.L.368.02

(7)An imported used motor vehicle or a used motor vehicle which had been brought into Malta may be used on the road, prior to registration by the Authority, from the port of entry to the place where it is to be garaged until it is so registered and licensed, and to and from a garage for repairs thereon if the vehicle, on inspection, fails the roadworthiness test if that vehicle has a valid registration, carries the registration plate issued in the country where it had previously been registered and is covered by an insurance policy. That vehicle may also be driven if it carries a ‘Trial Run’ plate in accordance with regulation 36.

(8)Where an imported used motor vehicle or a used motor vehicle which has been brought into Malta does not satisfy the provisions of this regulation, or where the Authority has sufficient evidence showing that such motor vehicle is not safe to be used on the road, the said motor vehicle shall not be registered and shall be re-exported or disposed of within such time and under such conditions as the Authority may determine.

(9)Where the motor vehicle is not re-exported or disposed of as provided for in sub-regulation

(8)or where the motor vehicle has not been submitted for examination in accordance with the provisions of sub-regulation

(6), the Authority may take possession of the vehicle and may remove it from the place where it is kept to a place designated by it, and the owner shall be liable to pay the Authority a removal fee and a storage fee as established in the Clamping and Removal of Motor Vehicles and Encumbering Objects Regulations, and an administrative fine of thirty-five euro (€35). S.L. 65.13

(10)Where the Authority, by virtue of this regulation, refuses to register a vehicle, it shall give notice of its decision to the person who appears to it to be the owner, importer or authorized dealer of the vehicle.

(11)Where the Authority refuses to register a motor vehicle, the person who appears to be the owner, importer or authorized dealer may appeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal, in accordance with the procedure laid down under the Administrative Justice Act.

(12)(a) Without prejudice to sub-regulation

(9), where the Authority has reasonable suspicion that a motor vehicle is on the road in breach of the provisions of regulation 3, the Authority may take possession of, remove and store the said vehicle in accordance with the Clamping and Removal of Motor Vehicles and Encumbering Objects Regulations, and shall request the Commissioner of Police to institute criminal proceedings against the registered owner or possessor of the same. (

1. b)Such vehicle shall not be returned to its registered owner or possessor, unless and until he has been acquitted by the Court of the alleged offence, or has remedied his position at law and settled any registration tax and other fees which may be payable, including the removal and storage fees stipulated by the said Clamping and Removal of Motor Vehicles and Cap. 490. S.L. 65.13 S.L. 65.13 13 14 [ S.L.368.02 REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES Encumbering Objects Regulations, and administrative fee of thirty-five euro (€35). an (
2. c)Acquittal from the charges pressed against the owner or possessor of the vehicle shall not give rise to a right to claim damages against the Authority or the Commissioner of Police, or both, unless it can be proven that the Authority acted in bad faith when it requested the removal of the vehicle: Provided that prosecution for the offence in question is initiated not later than fourteen days after the date of removal, and where the registered owner or possessor of the vehicle is not known, the fourteen day period shall commence to run from the day when the owner or possessor is identified. Temporary licence disc. Added by: L.N. 178 of 2015. 6A.

(1)A person who has his normal residence in Malta may apply with the Authority for an exemption in terms of article 18

(1)(g) of the Act to make use on the road in Malta of a vehicle r e g i s t e r e d i n a n o t h e r c o u n t r y f o r a p e r io d n o t ex c e e d i n g a maximum of thirty consecutive calendar days to be reckoned from the date of the vehicle’s arrival in Malta.

(2)The application for the said exemption shall be submitted to the Authority on the prescribed form by not later than one working day after the arrival of such vehicle in Malta upon (

1. a)the payment of an administrative fee of twenty euro (€20) payable to the Authority; and (
2. b)the presentation of a valid motor insurance policy and any other document which may be prescribed by the Authority: Provided that the thirty day permit shall commence from the date of the vehicle’s first arrival in Malta.

(3)Where an exemption is granted, the Authority shall issue to the applicant a temporary licence disc which is to be fixed on the windscreen of the vehicle or on the left side of the motor cycle, motor tricycle or quad bike in terms of these regulations.

(4)The temporary licence disc shall indicate the period, commencing from the date of the vehicle’s first arrival in Malta, for which such temporary licence shall be valid and the exemption granted shall cease to have effect upon the expiration of the period indicated on the temporary licence disc. Vehicles brought under a contract of lease or hire. Added by: L.N. 178 of 2015. 6B.

(1)Any motor vehicle brought into Malta by a person residing in Malta or by any person other than a person residing in Malta and who does not qualify under any of the exemptions specified in article 18 of the Act from another Member State under a contract of lease or hire exceeding thirty days shall be registered with the Authority and shall be subject to the payment of registration tax in accordance with article 3 of the Act.

(2)Every motor vehicle which is brought into Malta and which qualifies under any of the exemptions specified in article 18 of the Act and which continues to be used on the road in Malta following the expiry of the period for which such motor vehicle has been REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES [ S.L.368.02 exempt shall also be registered with the Authority and shall be subject to the payment of registration tax in accordance with article 3 of the Act.

(3)A person residing in Malta or a person other than a person residing in Malta who does not qualify under any of the exemptions specified in article 18 of the Act who brings into Malta a motor vehicle from another Member State under a contract of lease or hire for a period exceeding thirty days shall be required to file an application with the Authority for the registration of the said motor vehicle and to provide all the relevant documents as provided for in sub-regulation

(4)within thirty days to be reckoned from the date of arrival of the said motor vehicle in Malta.

(4)The application shall be submitted to the Authority on the prescribed form together with the payment of an administrative fee of fifty euro (€50) and the presentation of the following documents: (

1. a)a document of identification of the applicant; (
2. b)a vehicle registration certificate and, where appropriate, an English or Maltese translation of it, issued by the competent authority of the country from which the vehicle has been leased or hired or of the country from which it has been brought into Malta; (
3. c)a certificate of roadworthiness issued in Malta or in the Member State from which the vehicle has been leased or hired or from which it has been brought into Malta, in the event that such a certificate is required according to law; (
4. d)a document issued by the shipping organization having transported the vehicle to Malta which shows the date of the vehicle’s first arrival in Malta; (
5. e)the contract of lease or hire issued by the vehicle hire undertaking from which the vehicle has been leased or hired; and (
6. f)a motor insurance policy which shall be valid for not less than one year.

(5)The registration of a motor vehicle brought into Malta from another Member State under a contract of lease or hire shall be made by the Authority following the submission of the application, payment of the administrative fee and production of the documents referred to in sub-regulation

(4)and upon the payment of the applicable registration tax in terms of the Fifth Schedule to the Act.

(6)Where the Authority, by virtue of this regulation, refuses to register a motor vehicle which has been brought into Malta from another Member State under a contract of lease or hire, such motor vehicle may not be used on the road in Malta beyond the period of thirty days to be reckoned from the date of arrival of such motor vehicle as stipulated in sub-regulation

(2). In such an event the applicant may appeal the decision before the Administrative Review Tribunal in accordance with the procedure laid down under the Administrative Justice Act. Cap. 490. 15 16 [ S.L.368.02

(7)S.L. 65.

1. S.L. 65.
2. REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES (a) Where the Authority has reasonable suspicion that a motor vehicle brought into Malta from another Member State under a contract of lease or hire is being used on the road in Malta beyond the period of thirty days referred to in sub-regulation

(1)without the holder of the vehicle having filed the application for registration in terms of these regulations, the Authority may take possession of, remove and store the said vehicle in accordance with the Clamping and Removal o f M o t o r Ve h i c l e s a n d E n c u m b e r i n g O b j e c t s Regulations, and shall request the Commissioner of Police to institute criminal proceedings against the person who has hired or leased the said motor vehicle and against the person in possession of the vehicle (if such person is different from the person having hired or leased the motor vehicle) in terms of article 21 of the Act. (

1. b)Such vehicle shall not be returned to the person who has hired or leased the vehicle or to the possessor of the said vehicle unless and until such person has been acquitted by the Court of the alleged offence, or has remedied his position at law and settled any registration tax and other fees that may be payable, including the removal and storage fees stipulated by the Clamping and Removal of Motor Vehicles and Encumbering Objects Regulations. (
2. c)Acquittal from the charges pressed against the person who has hired or leased the vehicle or is in possession of the vehicle shall not give rise to a right to claim damages against the Authority or the Commissioner of Police, or both, unless it can be proved that the Authority acted in bad faith when it requested the removal of the vehicle: Provided that prosecution for the offence in question is initiated not later than fourteen days after the date of removal, and, where the person who has leased or hired the vehicle and brought such vehicle into Malta from another Member State is not known, the fourteen day period shall commence to run from the day when such person is identified. Vehicles registered to be used on weekends and public holidays. Added by: L.N. 178 of 2015. Amended by: L.N. 265 of 2022; L.N. 21 of 2026. 6C.

(1)M1 motor vehicles with CO₂ emission levels equal to or higher than two hundred

(200)according to NEDC standard, or two hundred and twenty

(220)or higher according to WLTP standard, and having an emission level equivalent to the latest European Standard, or latest European Standard minus one, or latest European Standard minus two, and motor cycles with an engine capacity equal to or higher than eight hundred and one (801cc) which are to be registered for the first time with the Authority may be registered for use on the road in Malta solely and exclusively on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays and other public holidays: Provided that such vehicles may not be parked on the road between Monday and Thursday (both days included) and on Friday REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES [ S.L.368.02 17 before 18:00hrs: Provided further that the Authority may, upon an application submitted by the owner or the registered user of a vehicle which has been registered for use on the road in Malta in terms of this sub-regulation, issue a special permit allowing the use of such vehicle on the road on a day other than the days stipulated in this sub-regulation if it deems, in its absolute discretion, that such use is justified as a result of particular circumstances. The application is to be submitted to the Authority on the prescribed form together with an administrative fee of fifty Euro (€50) and the presentation of such other documentation as may be requested by the Authority by not later than three working days prior to the day for which such permit is being sought: Provided further that one special permit within a 365-day period will be free of charge for each vehicle registered under this scheme.

(2)The registration of such M1 motor vehicles and motor cycles under this regulation shall be made upon payment of the prescribed registration tax in accordance with the Act.

(3)The registration mark allotted by the Authority to M1 motor vehicles and motor cycles registered in terms of article 8

(4)of the Act is to be displayed on a vehicle registration plate having such specifications as established in the Second Schedule.

(4)When the owner or registered user of a motor vehicle which satisfies the criteria and standards referred to in sub-regulation

(1), and which has already been registered for unrestricted use on the road in Malta on all days of the week, decides to change the registration of the said vehicle for use on the road in Malta solely and exclusively on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays and other public holidays, he shall be entitled to receive a refund of the licence fee from the Authority.

(5)Any refund as is referred to in sub-regulation

(4)shall be one or more quarters of the fee paid for the licence which shall correspond to the complete quarter or quarters of the year or period for which the licence had been paid as a vehicle registered for unrestricted use on all days of the week. 6D.

(1)The owner of any authentic and genuine motor vehicle which is older than thirty

(30)years, which shall commence to run from the date of manufacture, and which satisfies the criteria established by the Authority for the classification of a vintage vehicle may apply with the Authority to have the vehicle classified vintage by the vintage vehicle classification committee as established by the Act for such motor vehicle, whether it has already been registered in Malta or whether it has been imported or brought into Malta but has not yet been registered in Malta, for the vehicle to be classified as an authentic vintage vehicle: Provided that the registration value of a motor caravan or a motor home shall not, in any case, be less than twenty thousand euro Registration of vintage vehicles. Added by: L.N. 178 of 2015. Substituted by: L.N. 160 of 2025. 18 [ S.L.368.02 REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES (€20,000).

(2)An application for a vehicle which is already registered in Malta shall be submitted to the Authority on the prescribed form together with the payment of an administrative fee of two hundred and fifty euro (€250) and the submission of such documents as may be prescribed by the Authority from time to time: Provided that when such application is accepted and the vehicle is classified as an authentic vintage vehicle, part of the said administrative fee paid in the amount of two hundred euro (€200) shall be refunded to the applicant.

(3)The application of an imported vehicle shall be submitted to the Authority on the prescribed form together with the payment of an administrative fee of one hundred and five euro (€105) and the submission of such documents as may be prescribed by the Authority from time to time.

(4)The Authority shall have the right to carry out a physical inspection of all vehicles for which an application has been made prior to the approval or rejection of an application for a vehicle to be classified as an authentic vintage vehicle.

(5)(a) All vehicles which are classified as authentic vintage vehicles by the vintage vehicle classification committee shall be subject to re-classification every five

(5)years in order to confirm the continued compliance with the established vintage vehicle criteria of the Authority from time to time: Provided that vehicles classified as vintage and aged fifty

(50)years or more shall be exempt from the re-classification requirement provided that a valid certificate issued by an accredited vintage vehicle certification body is submitted to the Authority. (b) Applications for the re-classification of a vintage vehicle shall be submitted on the prescribed form at least three

(3)months prior to the expiry of the circulation licence when such reclassification is required in accordance with paragraph (a), together with the payment of an administrative fee of twenty-five euro (€25) and the submission of such documents as may be prescribed by the Authority from time to time.

(6)(

1. a)All vehicles falling under categories M, N or L which are brought or imported from a third country shall require a Single Vehicle Approval certificate for registration purposes: Provided that for vehicles intended to be classified as vintage, the importer may, instead of a Single Vehicle Approval certificate, submit a valid vintage authentication certificate issued by an accredited vintage vehicle certification body to confirm that the REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES [ S.L.368.02 19 vehicle is vintage. (
2. b)Upon importation, the importer or authorised motor vehicle dealer shall be obliged to pay to the Authority the full registration tax applicable to the imported vehicle: Provided that in case that the vehicle is classified by the vintage vehicle classification committee as an authentic vintage vehicle, the importer or authorised motor vehicle dealer shall be entitled to a refund from the Authority of a sum corresponding to the difference between the original registration tax paid and the registration tax actually payable for the said vehicle classified as an authentic vintage vehicle. (
3. c)The minimum registration tax shall not apply to vehicles that are over thirty

(30)years at the time of importation and which shall be submitted for vintage certifications.

(7)The registration mark allotted by the Authority to vehicles which are registered as vintage vehicles in accordance with article 25 of the Act is to be displayed on a vehicle registration plate having such specifications as established in the Second Schedule. 7.

(1)On registering a motor vehicle, the Authority shall issue to the owner a registration certificate containing such particulars relating to the vehicle in conformity with Directive 1999/37/EC, as amended, on the registration documents for vehicles. Issue of registration certificate.

(2)When the owner of a motor vehicle has been given the registration certificate, he or she shall cause such document to be kept at all times within the said vehicle while it is being used on the road once such motor vehicle is licensed in accordance with these regulations. 7A.

(1)The Authority shall set up and maintain a register to be known as the Registered Users of Motor Vehicles Register.

(2)The owner of a motor vehicle who does not make regular use of a motor vehicle which is registered in his name may, where such motor vehicle is habitually used by another person and/or company, apply with the Authority to register the said vehicle in the said register.

(3)In the register there shall be registered the make, model and registration number of the motor vehicle, the name, surname, address and identification number of the owner and/or company and the name, surname, address and identification number of the registered user, that is, the person and/or company who habitually makes use of the said motor vehicle.

(4)The application shall be filed on the form and according to such procedures which may be established by the Authority from time to time and shall bear the signature of both the registered owner as well as the registered user of the motor vehicle. Registered Users of Motor Vehicles Register. Amended by: L.N. 265 of 2022. 20 [ S.L.368.02 REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES

(5)Upon registration of the motor vehicle in the register, the Authority shall issue to the registered user a declaration confirming that he is the registered user of the motor vehicle in question and that he is duly registered as the registered user thereof in the register.

(6)For such time as he is so registered in the register, the registered user of a motor vehicle shall, for all effects and purposes at law, carry all duties and responsiblities in relation to such motor vehicle which were previously borne by the owner of the said motor vehicle.

(7)The registration of a person and/or company as a registered user of a motor vehicle in the register shall be cancelled when an application to such effect is filed by the owner and the registered user bearing the signature of both on the form and according to such procedures which may be established by the Authority from time to time.

(8)Furthermore, the registration of a person and/or company as a registered user of a motor vehicle shall automatically be cancelled in any of the following events: (

1. i)if the motor vehicle is transferred by the owner to the registered user or to a third party; (
2. ii)if the motor vehicle is garaged or de-registered.

(9)Where a request for the removal of the name of a person and/ or company from the register as the registered user of a motor vehicle is submitted to the Authority either by the owner or by the registered user but not under the signature of both parties, the Authority shall proceed to remove the registered user from the register with regard to such motor vehicle when the request is made by means of a sworn declaration confirming that the registered user of the motor vehicle no longer makes habitual use of the motor vehicle in question. Such a request is to be made on the form and against such payment as may be established by the Authority from time to time and the removal of the name of the registered user from the register shall be communicated by the Authority to the other concerned party by means of registered mail. Production of vehicle registration certificate on demand. Amended by: L.N. 265 of 2022. 8. No motor vehicle shall be driven on the road unless its driver carries with him the relative registration certificate of that vehicle, which certificate that perso n sh all prod uce to any authorised inspecting officer, on demand: Provided that, with regard to a motor vehicle which is registered in the register established by virtue of regulation 7A, the registered user thereof shall be obliged, in addition to the registration certificate, also to carry with him the declaration issued by the Authority in terms of sub-regulation

(5)of regulation 7A, which declaration he shall be obliged to produce to any authorised inspecting officer on demand. REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES [ S.L.368.02 21

1. Where any alteration is made to a motor vehicle that affects the particulars in the registration certificate in respect of that vehicle, including a change in colour of the vehicle, the owner of the vehicle shall inform the Authority of such alteration on the applicable form and at the same time deliver to the Authority the registration certificate for amendment as may be necessary. There shall be charged an administration fee of ten euro (€10) for the issue of duplicate registration certificate. Alterations to vehicle. Amended by: L.N. 195 of
3. Where a motor vehicle, registered under these regulations, is garaged, scrapped, destroyed, dismantled, irreparably damaged, lost or permanently removed from Malta, the owner shall forthwith notify the Authority and surrender to the said Authority the vehicle’s registration certificate: Destruction or permanent export. Amended by: L.N. 265 of
4. Provided that where the registration certificate of a motor vehicle is surrendered by the owner to the Authority, in the event that such motor vehicle was also registered in the register established by virtue of regulation 7A, the Authority shall de-register the said motor vehicle from the said register.
5. On a change of name and surname or residential address the owner of a motor vehicle shall forthwith inform the Authority and deliver to the Authority the vehicle registration certificate for the necessary amendment. There shall be charged an administration fee of ten euro (€10) for the issue of duplicate registration certificate: Change of name or address of owner. Amended by: L.N. 195 of 2011; L.N. 265 of
6. Provided that where a motor vehicle is registered in the register established by virtue of regulation 7A, on a change of name and surname or residential address of the registered user, the owner shall forthwith inform the Authority and deliver to the Authority the registered user declaration for the necessary amendment in the register. 12.

(1)The Authority shall set up and maintain a register in which it shall record electronically data on all vehicles registered and licensed in accordance with these regulations.

(2)That data shall include the following: (

1. a)all mandatory elements in accordance with point II.5 of Annex I of Directive 1999/37/EC, as well as the elements of points II.6(J) and II.6(V.7) and (V.9) of that Annex, where the data are available; (
2. b)other non-mandatory data listed in Annex I or data from the certificate of conformity as provided for in Directive 2007/46/EC, where possible; (
3. c)the outcome of periodic roadworthiness tests in accordance with the Motor Vehicle (Roadworthiness Test) Regulations and the period of validity of the roadworthiness certificate; (
4. d)the validity of the licence issued in accordance with Part III of these regulations; (
5. e)the details of the registered owner of the motor vehicle and, where the motor vehicle is also registered in the register established by virtue of regulation 7A, the details of the registered user of the motor vehicle. Register. Substituted by: L.N.125 of 2017. Amended by: L.N. 265 of 2022. 22 [ S.L.368.02 REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES

(3)The Authority may disclose any particulars contained in the register available to the Police or community officers or judicial authority or any other authority responsible for vehicle registration or for the enforcement of motor vehicles regulations in another M e m b e r St a t e f o r a n y p u r p o s e c o n n e c t e d w i t h o ff e n c e s o r contraventions of traffic and motor vehicle regulations, or to any person who can show to the satisfaction of the said Authority that he or she has reasonable cause for wanting the particulars to be made available to him or her.

(4)The processing of personal data in the context of these regulations shall be carried out in accordance with Directives 95/ 46/EC and 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.

(5)Technical vehicle data shall be made available to VRT stations for the purpose of periodic roadworthiness testing. Part III LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES Circulation licence required. Amended by: L.N. 178 of 2015; L.N. 265 of 2022. 13.

(1)A circulation licence fee shall be due on the licensing of a motor vehicle registered under these regulations and a circulation permit fee shall be due on motor vehicles brought into Malta from another Member State under a contract of lease or hire and registered in terms of the Act: Provided that a vehicle registered in another country may be on the road, whether parked or in use, for a period not exceeding a maximum of thirty consecutive calendar days to be reckoned from the date of the vehicle’s arrival in Malta on condition that the said vehicle displays a valid temporary licence disc issued by the Authority in terms regulation 6A

(3).

(2)No motor vehicle may be on the road, whether parked or in use, without a valid circulation licence, or a circulation permit or a temporary licence disc, as applicable, issued by the Authority, unless the motor vehicle is an exempt vehicle under the provisions of the Act. Cap. 104.

(3)A motor vehicle shall only be licensed by the Authority to be used on the road if that vehicle is covered by a certificate of registration and an insurance policy in respect of third-party risks i n c o m p l i a n c e w i t h t h e r e q u i r e m en t s o f t h e Mo t o r Ve h i c l e Insurance (Third-Party Risks) Ordinance.

(4)The owner of a motor vehicle who desires to obtain a circulation licence for that vehicle shall make an application on the prescribed form issued by the Authority. The said application may be signed by the owner or by a duly authorised agent acting on his behalf or by the registered user. Issue of licence. Amended by: L.N. 178 of 2015; L.N. 342 of 2015; L.N. 265 of 2022. 14.

(1)Upon the receipt by the Authority of an application for a licence as provided for in regulation 13 and after the Authority ensures that the applicant satisfies all other requirements and upon payment by the owner or registered user of the relevant circulation licence fee as provided for in the Fourth Schedule to the Act, the Authority may issue to the owner or registered user of any motor vehicle a licence disc in respect of such vehicle. REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES [ S.L.368.02 23

(2)The licence disc referred to in the preceding sub-regulation shall bear the identification mark of the vehicle and the expiry date of the licence.

(3)The owner or registered user of any motor vehicle which has been once licensed shall see that, subject to the other provisions of t h e s e r eg u l a t i o n s r e g a r d i n g th e su sp e n s i o n , w i t h d r a w a l o r cancellation of licences, such vehicle is always and at all times covered by a licence issued by the Authority: Provided that if the owner or registered user of a motor vehicle, prior to the lapse of the validity of the relative licence, informs in writing the said Authority that the vehicle is not going to be used on the road for a period of time beginning on the date of the said lapse and is going to be garaged in a specified place during the said period of non-use, and provided also that the said owner or registered user will hand over to the said Authority the relative certificate of the motor vehicle and the number plates of the relative motor vehicle, the said owner or registered user shall not be bound to renew the relative licence in respect of the said period of time.

(4)Where the owner of a motor vehicle, licensed by the Authority, fails to renew the applicable licence for that vehicle within three months from the expiry of the said licence, he shall be liable to an administrative fine, payable to the Authority, of ten euro (€10) for each month the applicable licence fee remains unpaid up to a maximum of not more than one hundred euro (€100), notwithstanding any other action which may be taken in terms of the Clamping and Removal of Motor Vehicles and Encumbering Objects Regulations: S.L. 65.13 Provided that in the case of a motor vehicle registered in the register established by virtue of regulation 7A , the registered user and not the owner shall be liable for the payment of the administrative fine.

(5)Where a motor vehicle is on the road without having a licence disc, the Commissioner of Police or a Local Council may remove such vehicle from the road as provided for in the Clamping a n d R e m o v a l o f M o t o r Ve h i c l e s a n d E n c u m b e r i n g O b j e c t s Regulations. S.L. 65.13

1. No motor vehicle shall be registered and licensed to be used for the conveyance of corpses unless the motor vehicle is constructed in such form and is provided with such furniture, fittings and lamps as may be directed by the Director General Health Division. Licence for motor vehicles for the conveyance of corpses.
2. The circulation licence fees for the various classes of motor vehicles are those fixed in the Fourth Schedule to the Act. 16A.

(1)A vehicle which is classified as a vintage vehicle by the vintage vehicle classification committee shall be exempt from the payment of a circulation licence fee and in lieu the administrative fee established in the Fourth Schedule to the Act shall apply. Circulation licence fees.

(2)In the event that, upon the renewal of its circulation Administrative fee for vintage vehicles. Added by: L.N. 265 of

1. Amended by: L.N. 160 of
2. 24 [ S.L.368.02 REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES licence after having undergone a vehicle roadworthiness test, it results that a vintage vehicle has registered three-thousand kilometres (3,000 km) or more on its odometer in one

(1)year since the last renewal of its circulation licence, or an average of three-thousand kilometres (3,000 km) or more per year with regard to such vehicles which undergo a vehicle roadworthiness test once every two

(2)years, then, in addition to the administrative fee established in the Fourth Schedule to the Act, the owner of the said vehicle shall also be obliged to pay the circulation licence fee established in the Fourth Schedule to the Act for such year or years during which the said vehicle had registered three thousand kilometres (3,000 km) or more on its odometer in one

(1)year or an average of three thousand kilometres (3,000 km) or more per year with regard to such vehicles which undergo a vehicle roadworthiness test once every two

(2)years: Provided that, nevertheless, such vehicle shall not lose its status as a vintage vehicle and shall continue to pay solely the administration fee established in the Fourth Schedule to the Act unless, upon renewal of the circulation licence, it results that the owner thereof shall also be obliged to pay the circulation licence fee established in the Fourth Schedule to the Act as a result of the fact that such vintage vehicle has registered three thousand kilometres (3,000 km) or more in one

(1)year or an average of three thousand kilometres (3,000 km) or more per year if it is a vehicle which undergoes a roadworthiness test once every two

(2)years.

(3)The owner of a vintage vehicle who wants to travel abroad with the said vehicle may apply with the Authority in order for the mileage which shall be registered on the odometer of the said vehicle during such time that the vintage vehicle is being driven outside Malta not to be computed in the calculation of such vehicle’s mileage for the purpose of sub-regulation

(2).

(4)Such application is to be submitted, free of charge, on such form as may be prescribed by the Authority from time to time together with photographic evidence showing the mileage on such vehicle’s odometer on a date which shall not be earlier than ten calendar days prior to the date of departure as well as documentary evidence which shows that the said vehicle shall be taken abroad. The said document must indicate the date of departure, the registration number of the vehicle and the details of its registered owner, and the applicant shall be obliged to provide the Authority with photographic evidence of the mileage on such vehicle’s odometer upon its return to Malta: Provided that the vintage vehicle classification committee established under the Act shall have the right to make physical inspections of any vehicle with regard to which an application in terms of sub-regulation

(4)is submitted, both prior to its departure from Malta as well as after its return to Malta in order to verify and REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES [ S.L.368.02 25 confirm the veracity of the declarations made by the applicant with regards to the mileage on the vehicle’s odometer.

(5)Motor vehicles of fifty

(50)years and over and motorcycles which have been classified as vintage by the vintage vehicle classification committee shall continue to be exempt from the payment of a circulation licence fee and shall only be subject to the payment of the administrative fee established in the Fourth Schedule to the Act, irrespective of any mileage considerations. 17.

(1)The licence disc issued in respect of a vehicle shall be carried on the vehicle at all times when the vehicle is used, parked or otherwise kept at any time in a public place.

(2)Position of vehicle licence disc. (

1. a)In every motor vehicle fitted with a glass windscreen the licence disc shall be fixed in a frame on the left hand side of the windscreen in such a position as to be visible from the front; and (
2. b)in the case of a motor cycle, motor tricycle, quad bike or invalid carriage the licence disc shall be fixed on the left side of the vehicle.

(3)The provisions of sub-regulation

(2)shall not apply to any motor vehicle assigned to a Government Minister and bearing, instead of its identification number, the letters G.M.

1. The owner, or registered user, driver and, or person in charge of a motor vehicle shall be responsible to ensure that the said licence disc is constantly kept in such a state as to make its contents easily legible. Licence contents to be easily legible. Amended by: L.N. 265 of
3. Where any person applies for the renewal of, or for the transfer of any licence in respect of a motor vehicle, he shall give, if so requested by the Authority, such details as to the motor vehicle as shall be contained in a form supplied to him for the purpose by the said Authority. Renewal or transfer of licence.
4. Saving the provisions of regulation 25, the licence issued in respect of a particular motor vehicle shall not be used for any other motor vehicle and shall be subject to any regulations in force when the licence is issued. These licences shall only be issued in the name of one person. Particular licence for each vehicle. 21.

(1)Licences granted under these regulations are to be renewed annually upon the payment of the relevant fee as provided for in the Fourth Schedule to the Act and the presentation of a copy of the vehicle insurance policy. Validity of licences. Amended by: L.N. 178 of 2015.

(2)Where the registered owner of the motor vehicle, prior to the lapse of the validity of the vehicle licence, informs the Authority that the vehicle is not going to be used on the road and is going to be garaged during the said period of non-use, and provided that the said owner hands over to the Authority the certificate of registration and plates of the relative motor vehicle, the licence of that the vehicle vehicle may not be renewed after its expiry date until that time that it remains kept in a garage. The Authority shall return to the owner the registration certificate and plates of the vehicle upon the renewal of the licence of the said vehicle: 26 [ S.L.368.02 REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES Provided that the registered owner shall be obliged to provide the Authority with a written declaration indicating the address where the said motor vehicle shall be kept garaged.

(3)(

1. a)A refund in respect of the licence fee shall be allowed by the Authority if it is proved to its satisfaction that that vehicle as been scrapped or garaged or has been stolen and not recovered during the currency of the relative licence or has been exported and has not been re-imported or brought into Malta during the currency of the relative licence. (
2. b)Any refund as is referred to in paragraph (
3. a)shall be one or more quarters of the fee paid for the licence which shall correspond to the complete quarter or quarters of the year or period for which the licence had been issued during which year or period the vehicle had been scrapped, stolen or exported.

(4)(

1. a)Where the licence of a motor vehicle on resale expires while the vehicle is still in the possession of an authorised dealer, the licence may not be renewed until the vehicle remains in the possession of the said dealer: Provided that, the said vehicle shall not be used on the public highway until that time that its licence is renewed. (
2. b)The licence of a motor vehicle on resale shall be renewed upon the transfer of the vehicle from the authorized dealer to the purchaser and there shall be paid the licence fee applicable to that vehicle from the date of transfer. Withdrawal of licence of vehicle. Amended by: L.N.125 of 2017. 22.

(1)A motor vehicle licence may be withdrawn if the vehicle is declared to be unfit for use on the road. The said licence shall be returned or, if lapsed, renewed when the motor vehicle is put in order to the satisfaction of the Authority.

(2)The motor vehicle licence may also be withdrawn by an order made by the competent court or tribunal.

(3)Licences granted under these regulations shall be liable to be cancelled or suspended by the Authority for a period not exceeding one month where this cancellation or suspension is required in the interest of public safety or public order. S.L. 65.15.

(4)Where the licence of a particular vehicle has been suspended in accordance with regulation 18E

(5)of the Motor Vehicle (Roadworthiness Test) Regulations, that suspension shall be recorded electronically in the register and shall be effective until the vehicle has passed a new roadworthiness test. On successful completion of the roadworthiness test, the Authority shall without delay remove the suspension and re-authorise the use of the vehicle on the road.

(5)If a licensee of a motor vehicle makes use of the said motor vehicle or allows or permits any other person to make use of the REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES [ S.L.368.02 27 said motor vehicle during the time the motor vehicle licence has been suspended, the licence may be liable to cancellation.

(6)Where the Authority suspends or withdraws a licence of a motor vehicle, the person who appears to be the owner may appeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal, in accordance with the procedure laid down under the Administrative Justice Act.

1. Any motor vehicle licensed for the transport of passengers a g a i n s t h i r e o r r e w a r d m a y b e su s p e n d e d i f a n y a l t e r a t i o n whatsoever, made in any form, is carried out on any vehicle engaged in passenger transport for hire or reward without the approval of the Authority: Cap.
2. Suspension of passenger transport vehicle licence. Amended by: XXI of
3. Provided that in special cases and in special circumstances the Authority may depart from this provision.
4. The owner , and, or registered user, and, or person in charge of a motor vehicle shall not allow or permit the said motor vehicle to be used for purposes other than those for which the said vehicle is specifically licensed. Vehicle to be used according to specific licence. Amended by: L.N. 265 of
5. Part IV GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES 25.

(1)Where a licence disc or registration certificate of a motor vehicle has been, or may have been, lost, destroyed, stolen or defaced, or contains any particulars which have become illegible, the owner or registered user of the vehicle shall apply to the Authority for the issuance of a duplicate licence or duplicate registration certificate, as the case may be.

(2)The application for the issuance of a duplicate licence or duplicate registration certificate shall be accompanied by a fee of ten euro (€10), together with the licence disc or registration certificate to be replaced if the reason for replacement is that it has been defaced or contains any particulars which have become illegible.

(3)The Authority shall issue a duplicate licence disc or a duplicate registration certificate of a motor vehicle if it is satisfied that the licence disc or registration certificate, as the case may be, has been lost, destroyed, stolen or defaced: Provided that the said Authority may, before issuing any such duplicate, require a declaration from the owner or registered user of the vehicle to prove such loss, destruction, theft or defacement. An administrative fee of eight euro (€8) shall be charged by the Authority for such a declaration.

(4)If the duplicate licence disc or duplicate registration certificate has been issued on the grounds that the original licence disc or the registration certificate has been, or may have been, lost or stolen, and the original licence or original registration certificate is subsequently found or recovered, the owner or registered user or person who found the said document shall forthwith return the original licence disc or original registration certificate to the Duplicate licence and certificate. Amended by: L.N. 195 of 2011; L.N. 265 of 2022. 28 [ S.L.368.02 REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES Authority. Provisional registration and licensing of motor vehicles. Amended by: L.N. 127 of 2013. 26.

(1)The Authority shall issue to the owner of a new motor vehicle purchased in Malta for export purposes a provisional registration certificate, registration plate and licence disc if the owner of that motor vehicle is to drive that vehicle out of Malta and to its destination outside Malta: Provided that the amount of licence fee payable in respect of that vehicle shall be at the rate of twelve per cent of the annual licence fee applicable to that vehicle for every month of the licensing period. Such licensing period shall not be less than a month.

(2)The Authority may issue provisional registration plates and licence discs for new motor vehicles to be licensed in the name of diplomatic representations or in the name of members of staff of diplomatic missions in Malta, without the need to register those vehicles in accordance with Part II of these regulations: Provided that such provisional registration plates and licence discs shall only be valid in Malta for a period of one year, which may be renewed annually thereafter. The provisional registration plates and licence discs shall be returned to the Authority prior to the vehicles being exported or taken out of Malta. Transfer of vehicles and licences. Amended by: L.N. 110 of 2011; L.N. 195 of 2011; L.N. 265 of 2022. 27.

(1)Any person who agrees to sell, or sells, or otherwise disposes of his or her motor vehicle shall, within seven days, give notice of the disposal of the vehicle to the Authority, including the name and address of the person who buys, or agrees to buy, the said motor vehicle and shall also deliver to the Authority the relative registration certificate.

(2)(

1. a)Any person who sells, or otherwise transfers to another person any motor vehicle, shall complete and deliver to the Authority the Transfer of Vehicle Form of the registration certificate. The Authority shall then license the vehicle in the name of the new owner and it shall issue a new registration certificate to the new owner. (
2. b)The new registration certificate shall be issued to the new owner upon the payment of an administrative fee of ten euro (€10).

(3)The Authority may, for reasons of public interest, withhold the transfer of a passenger transport vehicle: Cap. 490. Provided that where the Authority withholds such transfer, the person who appears to be the registered owner or the prospective owner may appeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal, in accordance with the procedure laid down under Administrative Justice Act.

(4)The sale or transfer of a motor vehicle shall imply the transfer of the motor vehicle but the original licensee shall for all intents and purposes of law remain responsible until such licensee has complied with sub-regulation

(1)and the notice by such licensee so given shall have been found by the Authority to be true REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES [ S.L.368.02 29 and correct.

(5)An M2 or an M3 vehicle registered and licensed to be used for the carriage of passengers for hire or reward may not be sold or transferred separately from its licence to another person, nor may a licence in respect of such a vehicle be transferred separately from the vehicle to which it refers: Provided that the Authority shall not allow the transfer of any M2 or M3 vehicle registered and licensed to be used for the carriage of passengers for hire or reward or of the relative licence if the price or other compensation payable by the transferee in respect of such transfer is not deemed to be fair and reasonable.

(6)The sale or transfer of a passenger transport vehicle shall not be construed to imply the transfer of an Operator’s Licence issued under the Passenger Transport Services Regulations. S.L. 499.56

(7)The sale or transfer of a passenger transport vehicle shall not be construed to imply the transfer of an Operator’s Licence issued under the Passenger Transport Services Regulations and the Light Passenger Transport Services and Vehicle Hire Services Regulations.

(8)A motor vehicle may not be sold or transferred by a registered user but only by the owner thereof. 28.

(1)Where it is intended to use a vehicle in respect of which a licence is in force in a condition or manner or for a purpose which would, if it was used solely in that condition or manner or for that purpose, render it chargeable with a registration tax at a rate higher than that at which tax has been paid, the owner shall return to the Authority the licence disc and registration certificate issued in respect of the vehicle and shall make an application on the prescribed form to the Authority for a new licence disc appropriate to the new condition, manner or purpose. Change of use of vehicle.

(2)The Authority shall issue a new licence disc and registration certificate upon the payment by the owner of the vehicle to the Authority of the balance in the amount of registration tax which would have been paid on the basis of the new condition, manner or purpose.

(3)A motor vehicle which has been registered as an M1 vehicle shall not be converted into an N1 vehicle. Part V REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF GOVERNMENT VEHICLES 29. Applications for the registration and licensing under these regulations of vehicles to be kept and used by Government Ministries or Government Departments or the Armed Forces of Malta shall be made to the Authority as follows: (

1. a)in the case of Government Ministries, by the Director of Corporate Services; Application for registration and licensing. 30 [ S.L.368.02 REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES (
2. b)in the case of Government Departments by the Directors or Heads of the said Departments, as the case may be; (
3. c)in the case of the Armed Forces of Malta by the Commander of the Armed Forces or his representative. Part VI MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS Registration mark for each vehicle. Amended by: L.N. 178 of 2015; L.N. 265 of 2022. 30.

(1)On being registered, a motor vehicle shall be allotted by the Authority a registration mark and a licence disc, provided that if the licence of that vehicle is not renewed by the date fixed for the yearly renewal, the Authority may order the cancellation of such registration mark and its allocation to any other motor vehicle.

(2)The registration mark may take any of the special numeric, special alphabetical or special alphanumeric formats specified in the First Schedule and can be composed of up to a maximum of nine characters.

(3)Registration marks in the Alphanumeric Format, the Special Numeric Format and the Special Alphabetical Format shall be made available to the public in such manner as the Authority may from time to time establish by means of a notice in the Gazette.

(4)(

1. a)Random Standard Alphanumeric Format registration marks shall not be transferred independently from the vehicle to which they are allocated. (
2. b)Personalised Standard Alphanumeric Format registration marks shall be transferable independently from the vehicle to which they are allocated. (
3. c)A transfer of registration marks other than those mentioned in paragraphs (
4. a)and (b), may be effected independently of the transfer of the relative vehicle upon the fulfilment of the necessary procedure as may be prescribed by the Authority and the payment of a transfer fee of four hundred and sixty-six euro (€466) payable to the said Authority: Provided that any transfer causa mortis as well as any transfer inter vivos in favour of spouses, ascendants and direct collaterals shall be exempt from the payment of the four hundred and sixty-six euro (€466) referred to in this paragraph: Provided further that any transfer by a company in favour of a physical person who is a director or majority shareholder of the said company, or vice versa, shall be exempt from the payment of the four hundred and sixtysix euro (€466) referred to in this paragraph.

(5)A motor vehicle without a registration mark assigned to it under these regulations shall be deemed an unregistered vehicle: Provided that the Authority may, in its discretion, permit the use of the motor vehicle with an identification mark either in REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES [ S.L.368.02 31 addition to or in lieu of a registration mark. Such identification mark shall not be used on any other motor vehicle other than the one in respect of which its use has been so permitted. 31.

(1)Registration marks allotted to vehicles used for hire or for reward shall include the following Roman Alphabet letters followed by three numbers: (

1. i)a letter followed by the letters BUS in the case of route buses; (
2. ii)a letter followed by the letters PY in the case of passenger transport vehicles other than route buses; (iii) a letter followed by the letters LY in the case of light passenger transport vehicles; (
3. iv)a letter followed by the letters XY in the case of vintage buses; (
4. v)the letters TAXI M followed by three numerical figures in respect of taxis operated in Malta; (
5. vi)the letters TAXI G followed by three numerical figures in respect of taxis operated in Gozo; (vii) the letters CABS in the case of electric mini cabs; (viii) a letter followed by the letters QZ in the case of motor vehicles used for hire or leasing; (
6. ix)a letter followed by the letters HQ in the case of vehicles used for the carriage of goods by hauliers operating nationally; (
7. x)(
8. xi)the letters HRS in the case of motor hearses; a letter followed by the letters OY in respect of open-top buses; (xii) a letter followed by the letters RY in respect of trackless trains; (xiii) the letters TEY in respect of electric trolley vehicles; (xiv) the letters MHY in respect of Malta heritage buses; and (
9. xv)the letters CSH in respect of car sharing vehicles.

(2)Motor vehicles registered and licensed in the name of a Government Department shall be allotted registration marks with the three Roman Alphabet letters GVH followed by three numbers in the case of heavy vehicles and the letters GVN followed by three numbers in the case of other vehicles.

(3)Motor vehicles registered and licensed in the name of the Police Department shall be allotted registration marks with the three Roman Alphabet letters GVP followed by three numbers.

(4)Motor vehicles registered and licensed in the name of the Armed Forces of Malta shall be allotted registration marks with the three Roman Alphabet letters GVA followed by three numbers. Particular registration marks. Amended by: L.N. 110 of 2011; L.N. 178 of 2015; L.N. 139 of 2018. 32 [ S.L.368.02 REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES

(5)Motor vehicles registered and licensed in the name of diplomatic representations in Malta shall be allotted registration marks with the letters CD followed by another letter and three numbers.

(6)Motor vehicles registered and licensed in the name of members of the staff of diplomatic missions shall be allotted registration marks with the letters DMS followed by three numbers.

(7)The registration marks for N1 vehicles with a seating capacity of not more than two persons shall be a letter followed by the letters GV and three numbers. Plates bearing registration mark and international distinguishing sign. 32.

(1)The Authority shall give to the licensee of any motor vehicle two registration plates bearing the registration mark in respect of his or her vehicle against payment of the cost of such plates as provided for in the First Schedule.

(2)Besides the registration mark, the plate shall also bear the international distinguishing sign of Malta in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 2411/98 on the recognition in intraCommunity traffic of the distinguishing signs of the Member States in which motor vehicles and their trailers are registered.

(3)No other letter, number, mark or sign, except those authorised by the Authority shall be permitted on the registration plate.

(4)When such new plates are given to a licensee, such licensee shall cause them to be imm ediately securely affi xed to the satisfaction of the Authority on the vehicle to which they refer, one fixed vertically on the front and one on the rear of the vehicle in such a position that every letter and figure on the plate is upright, easily visible and distinguishable: Provided that where the vehicle is towing a trailer or more trailers, the plate behind the vehicle shall be fixed on the rear of the trailer or the rearmost trailer as the case may be: Provided further that in the case of a motor cycle or motor tricycle the registration plate shall only be fixed at the rear of the vehicle.

(5)No plates may be affixed to any motor vehicle unless such plates have been issued by the Authority and they refer to and belong to that particular vehicle.

(6)Any such registration plates obtained from the Authority on payment of the appropriate fee shall belong to the said Authority and shall be returned to the said Authority if and when the vehicle has been garaged for a period of time, scrapped or has been permanently exported. New plates shall only be re-issued for vehicles which had been so garaged upon the payment of the stipulated fee.

(7)Any motor vehicle standing or plying not having the plates referred to in sub-regulation

(1)or plates issued by any other competent authority in the case of vehicles brought temporarily into Malta shall be deemed to be an unlicensed vehicle. REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES [ S.L.368.02

1. The registration mark and plate of a motor vehicle shall not be obstructed from clear view by bumpers or other attachments, and shall be kept clear of mud or dust and easily decipherable: 33 Plates to be decipherable. Amended by: L.N. 265 of
2. Provided that the owners of such vehicles which have no place on the front part of the vehicle where the registration plate may be affixed shall have the right to apply with the Authority in order to be issued with an alternative registration plate or sticker. The cost of such plate or sticker shall be in accordance with the First Schedule.
3. The registration plate referred to in regulation 32 of these regulations shall conform with the provisions set out in the Second Schedule. Specifications of registration plates.
4. Where the motor vehicle is being used on a public highway between sunset and sunrise the registration plate fixed on the rear of the vehicle, or on the rear of a trailer or the rearmost trailer, as the case may be, must be lit by a lamp so that it is easily distinguishable. Lighting of rear registration plate. 36.

(1)The Authority may issue to authorised dealers ‘Trial Run’ plates for motor vehicles which have not yet been registered and licensed, for a period of one year , upon the payment to the Authority of a fee of fifty euro (€50) and the presentation of the licence to act as a vehicle trader or dealer issued under the Police Licences Regulations: Licence to use “Trial Run” plates. Amended by: L.N. 110 of 2011; L.N. 178 of 2015; L.N. 265 of 2022. Provided that such Trial Run plates shall not be issued for motor vehicles registered for use on the road in Malta in terms of regulation 6C

(1).

(2)‘Trial Run’ plates, having black numbers on a white background, shall be used only by licensed motor vehicle traders and dealers.

(3)Two ‘Trial Run’ plates shall be used, one in the front and another in the rear of the vehicle: Provided that, when two or more vehicles are being driven in convoy, one such plate shall be displayed at the front of the foremost vehicle and another at the rear of the rearmost vehicle.

(4)No ‘Trial Run’ plates other than those issued and stamped by the Authority may be used.

(5)Where ‘Trial Run’ plates are issued to a licensed vehicle trader or dealer, a representative of the person to whom such plates have been issued shall be present in the vehicle on which the ‘Trial Run’ plates are used, and when two or more vehicles are being driven in convoy, such representative shall be present in any one of those vehicles.

(6)‘Trial Run’ plates may only be used: (

1. a)on imported motor vehicles or vehicles brought into Malta for sale or for exhibition purposes; (
2. b)on locally produced motor vehicles while those vehicles are being test driven or driven from the garage, factory or any other place where they had been produced to the place where they are to be kept until such vehicles are licensed under regulation 14; S.L. 128.01 34 [ S.L.368.02 REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES (
3. c)on motor vehicles in the custody of a motor vehicle trader or dealer, for purpose of sale, or on motor vehicles purchased by a motor vehicle trader or dealer, the licences of which vehicles have expired; (
4. d)on motor vehicles which are being driven from a garage, a factory or other place where the vehicle is kept, to the docks for shipment of such vehicle intended to be exported.

(7)‘Trial Run’ plates shall not be used for any purpose other than for trial trips or for testing purposes.

(8)‘Trial Run’ plates shall not be used on Sundays or public holidays unless specially authorised by the Authority.

(9)A deposit of fifty euro (€50) a each set of ‘Trial Run’ plates shall be made on the withdrawal of such plates from the Authority.

(10)In case of loss of, or damage to, any of the said plates, the licensee shall forfeit the deposit for each plate lost or returned in such a damaged condition as to be unfit for use.

(11)The Authority may withdraw any ‘Trial Run’ plates issued to an authorised dealer where the dealer has committed a breach of any of the conditions set down in this regulation.

(12)Where ‘Trial Run’ plates are withdrawn by the Authority, the authorised dealer shall be obliged to return the plates to the Authority by not later than two working days from the date of notification of the notice of withdrawal of the ‘Trial Run’ plates.

(13)Any authorised dealer who contravenes sub-regulation

(12)shall be guilty of an offence.

(14)Any authorised dealer from whom ‘Trial Run’ plates issued by the Authority have been withdrawn may not apply for the issuance of new ‘Trial Run’ plates before the lapse of six months from such withdrawal. Issue of temporary special plates. Added by: L.N. 178 of 2015. 36A.

(1)The Authority may issue temporary special plates for a period not exceeding six months for motor vehicles which have not as yet been registered or which are not licensed for use on the road in Malta for filming, exhibition or other exceptional purposes: Provided that in the event that such plates are not returned to the Authority within the prescribed time, there shall be charged a fee of one hundred euro (€100) per plate payable to the Authority: Provided further that such temporary special plates shall not be issued for motor vehicles registered for use on the road in Malta in terms of regulation 6C

(1).

(2)Such special plates may be issued subject to the payment of an administrative fee of two hundred euro (€200) to the Authority and upon the presentation of all such documents as may be required by the Authority, including an insurance certificate which shall be valid for the period for which such special plates are issued. REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES [ S.L.368.02 35 Part VII GENERAL

1. The owner of a motor vehicle licensed in Malta, who desires to take such vehicle abroad to a third country shall apply to the Authority for the issue of a motor vehicle export certificate. International travelling requirements.
2. When a motor vehicle, which is registered in Malta, is taken out of Malta for more than twelve months, that vehicle shall be deemed to have been permanently exported and the owner shall surrender to the Authority the registration certificate issued by the said Authority. Permanent exportation. Part VIII DE-REGISTRATION OF END-OF-LIFE VEHICLES 39.

(1)All end-of-life M1 and N1 motor vehicles and threewheel motor vehicles registered in the register of the Authority shall be transferred to an authorised treatment facility in accordance with regulation 6

(3)of the Waste Management (End-of Life Vehicles) Regulations: Provided that M1 and N1 motor vehicles which have been disposed of prior to the 1st November, 2013, whether garaged or not, may be de-registered with the Authority upon presentation of a sworn affidavit stating such fact by not later than the 30th October, 2027: Provided further that an administrative fee of fifty euro (€50) shall be payable to the Authority for the de-registration of any vehicle which is not disposed of at an authorised treatment facility in accordance with regulation 6

(3)of the Waste Management (End-ofLife Vehicles) Regulations by not later than the 31st October, 2027, which administrative fee shall increase to three hundred euro (€300) after such date. Manner of destruction of endof-life vehicles. Amended by: L.N.178 of 2015; L.N. 139 of 2018; L.N. 265 of 2022; L.N. 262 of 2025. S.L. 435.58 S.L. 549.36.

(2)When an authorised treatment facility accepts delivery of an end-of-life vehicle transferred to it for treatment, it shall issue a certificate of destruction to the last holder or owner of the vehicle.

(3)An end-of-life motor vehicle and any other motor vehicle which has been scrapped or de-registered in accordance with these regulations after the 1st November, 2013 shall not be re-registered with the Authority: Provided that an end-of-life motor vehicle and any other motor vehicle which has been scrapped or de-registered in accordance with these regulations prior to the 1st November, 2013, may be registered anew with the Authority upon payment of the applicable registration tax and any other sums which may be due to the Authority. 40. Certificates of destruction validly issued by an authorised treatment facility in another Member State in accordance with the relative national legislation analogous to the provisions of regulation 39, shall be mutually recognised and accepted. Certificates of destruction. 41. Where a vehicle to which regulation 39 applies is transferred to an authorised treatment facility - Surrender of vehicle registration certificate. 36 [ S.L.368.02 REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES (

1. a)if that facility is in Malta, the owner or operator thereof shall notify the Authority of the issue of the certificate of destruction and at the same time shall surrender to the Authority the vehicle’s registration certificate, except where the registration certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed; and (
2. b)if that facility is in a Member State other than Malta, the registered owner of the vehicle shall notify the Authority of the issue in that other Member State of the certificate of destruction and at the same time the registered owner shall surrender to the Authority the vehicle’s registration certificate except where the registration certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed. Re-use and recovery of components. S.L. 435.58 42. Notwithstanding the provisions on the re-use of components which are suitable for re-use and on the recovery of components which cannot be re-used contained in the Waste Management (End-of-Life Vehicles) Regulations, it shall not be lawful to continue to use or otherwise re-use in any manner whatsoever the chassis number of an end-of life vehicle which has been transferred or delivered to an authorised treatment facility. De-registration of end-of-life vehicles. Amended by: L.N.125 of 2017. 43. An end-of-life vehicle shall be de-registered upon presentation to the Authority, by the owner or operator of the authorised treatment facility, or by the vehicle’s last registered owner, of the certificate of destruction as provided for in regulation 39. Such de-registration shall be recorded in the register. Part IX FINES Offences and penalties. Amended by: L.N. 265 of 2022. 44.

(1)No person shall deface or mutilate any vehicle registration certificate or any motor vehicle licence or alter or obliterate any entry made therein.

(2)A person who, with intent to deceive forges, alters, uses, produces, provides or sends a document to which regulations 4 to 6 apply, or makes a statement which he knows to be false or deface or mutilate a registration certificate shall be guilty of an offence.

(3)A person who, either by writing, drawing or in any other manner, alters, defaces, mutilates or adds anything to any licence for any motor vehicle, or exhibits upon any vehicle any licence disc which has been altered, defaced, mutilated or added to as aforesaid shall be guilty of an offence.

(4)A person who alters, rearranges or defaces a vehicle registration mark on a motor vehicle or otherwise tampers with the registration plates of a motor vehicle commits an offence.

(5)Any person who makes use of a motor vehicle registration mark other than that allotted by the Authority in relation to a particular vehicle shall be guilty of an offence.

(6)A person who is found guilty of an offence under subregulations

(1),

(2),

(3),

(4)and

(5)shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding one thousand and two hundred euro (€1,200), REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES [ S.L.368.02 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both such fine and imprisonment, unless a higher punishment is applicable under any other law, in which case the Court shall apply that other punishment or this punishment increased by one or two degrees, whichever is the higher.

(7)Fines for other offences under these regulations shall be the following: (

1. a)driving a motor vehicle without being covered by a valid vehicle licence............. not exceeding €235 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months (
2. b)driving a motor vehicle with a vehicle licence altered, defaced, mutilated or added to or with a licence belonging to another vehicle ....................... €70 (
3. c)driving, or causing to stand, a motor vehicle without the vehicle licence disc being affixed to the vehicle windscreen or motor cycle handlebar ............................... €25 (
4. d)driving a motor vehicle not bearing registration plates ....... €25 to €60 (
5. e)driving a motor vehicle bearing registration plates altered, defaced, mutilated or added to .................................. €25 to €60 (
6. f)using a motor vehicle not in accordance to specific licence . €35 (
7. g)driving a motor vehicle bearing registration plates obstructed from clear view by bumpers or other attachments, or which are not easily decipherable ........................... €25 to €60 (
8. h)driving a motor vehicle without the driver being in possession of vehicle registration certificate and insurance document ................ €25 to €60 (
9. i)owner fails to give notice to the Authority within the stipulated time of any alteration made to a motor vehicle ................................... €25 to €60 (
10. j)driving an unregistered motor vehicle without Trial Run plates ..................................... €25 to €60 37 38 [ S.L.368.02 REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES (
11. k)(
12. l)failure by authorised motor car dealer to return Trial Run plates following their withdrawal by the Authority...... €235 driving a motor vehicle without the driver being in possession of registered user documentation, where applicable ................. €25 to €60. REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES [ S.L.368.02 FIRST SCHEDULE (Regulation 30) 39 Amended by: L.N. 110 of 2011. Substituted by: L.N. 195 of 2011. Amended by: L.N. 178 of 2015; L.N. 139 of 2018. Motor Vehicles’ Registration Marks and Fees payable to the Authority for the issue of plates TYPE Standard Alphanumeric Format (Random) Standard Alphanumeric Format (Personalised) Special Format DESCRIPTION Composed of two sets of three characters each, the first set composed of three Roman Alphabet characters and the second set composed of three Arabic numerals, e.g. XXX 111 Fee for a pair of vehicle registration plates: €70. However, the fee for the replacement of vintage vehicle plates carrying green characters with new plates carrying silver characters shall be €17.50 per plate. Composed of two sets of three characters each, the first set composed of three Roman Alphabet characters and the second set composed of three Arabic numerals, e.g. XXX 111, where the choice of the characters and numerals shall lie with the person requesting the Numbers. Fee for a pair of plates: €200 N u m e r i c Composed solely of any Arabic numeral. Fee payable for a pair of plates: €1,500 Special Alphabetical Composed of any character of the Roman Alphabet. Format Fee for a pair of plates: €1,500 Special Numeric and Composed of a mixture of numeric and alphabetical. Alphabetical Format Fee for a pair of plates: €1,500 R e g i s t r a t i o n m a r k s Composed as prescribed in the Taxi Services Regulations. allotted to taxis (S.L. 499.59) Fee for a pair of plates: €60 I s s u e o f d u p l i c a t e Fee for each plate: €35 registration mark plates Where the registration mark is of the Standard Alphanumeric Format (Random) type, the first letter shall stand for the month in which the licence of the vehicle shall be renewed. 40 [ S.L.368.02 Amended by: L.N. 178 of 2015. L.N. 139 of 2018. REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES SECOND SCHEDULE (Regulation 34) Specifications of Vehicle Registration Plates The registration mark of a motor vehicle registered and licensed in Malta shall be displayed on a rectangular plate which shall correspond with either diagram No 1 or diagram No 2 shown below. The plate on which a registration mark is exhibited shall not contain any words, letters, numbers, emblems or other marks of any kind other then those required under these regulations. The plate on which a registration mark is exhibited shall exhibit the flag of the European Union and the Letter M. The specifications for the distinguishing sign on the registration plate shall be: Colours: 1. Retro-reflecting blue background (Munsell reference 5, 9 pb 3,4/ 15,1) 2. 12 retro-reflecting yellow stars 3. Retro-reflecting distinguishing sign of Malta, of a white colour Composition and dimensions: 1. The blue background shall be not less than 98mm in height, with a width of not less than 40 mm and not more than 50 mm 2. The centrepoints of the 12 stars shall form a circle with a 15 mm radius and the straight forming the apexes of the stars shall be 4 mm to 5 mm in length 3. The distinguishing sign of Malta shall have a height of 20 mm and a stroke width of between 4 mm and 5 mm, and shall appear underneath the circle of stars. Where the dimensions of the blue background have been reduced for registration plates taking up two lines (as in diagram 2) and, or for registration plates intended for two or three-wheel motor cycles, the dimensions of the stars and of the distinguishing sign may be proportionately reduced. The periphery of the plate shall be marked all around by a black border having a stroke width of 5 millimetres. The plate shall be made from metal material. The registration mark, with the exception of vintage vehicles and vehicles registered in terms of article 8

(4)of the Act, shall be formed of black characters and shall be exhibited on white reflective material in such a way that the black characters will at all times appear on a white background. There shall be a watermark in the space REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES [ S.L.368.02 41 between the letters and the numbers. The plate on which the registration mark of a vintage vehicle is exhibited shall carry silver characters on a black background. The plate on which the registration mark of a vehicle registered for use on the road in Malta solely and exclusively on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays and other public holidays in terms of article 8

(4)of the Act shall carry red characters. The plates for vintage vehicles and vehicles registered in terms of article 8

(4)of the Act shall, with the exception of the colour of the characters, the periphery of the plate and, in the case of vintage vehicles, the colour of the plate, have the same dimensions and composition of all other registration plates as defined in this Schedule.