Driving Without Residence: How a Sliema Crash Accused Kept His Maltese Licence

Imagine this: a car careening down Tower Road in Sliema, narrowly missing pedestrians, before crashing into a parked vehicle. The driver, a foreign national, is arrested. But here’s the twist – he’s been driving on a Maltese licence, despite not having a residence permit. How did this happen?

No Residence, No Problem?

According to sources, the 32-year-old driver, let’s call him Mr. X, has been living and driving in Malta for over a year. Yet, he doesn’t have a Maltese residence permit. Instead, he’s been using a foreign driving licence, which, under Maltese law, is only valid for six months if you’re a resident of another EU country.

So, how did he keep driving? Well, it seems he’s been renewing his foreign licence every six months. But here’s the catch – you’re supposed to have a residence permit to do that. Yet, Mr. X managed to keep his licence, and his driving record, intact.

Loopholes and Licences

Malta’s Transport Malta is responsible for issuing and managing driving licences. They told Hot Malta that while they can’t comment on specific cases, they do check if a resident has a valid permit when they apply for a Maltese licence. But what about renewals?

It seems there’s a loophole. If you renew your foreign licence online, as Mr. X allegedly did, there’s no automatic check for a residence permit. It’s a grey area that’s left many wondering how many others are driving without the proper permits.

Sliema Crash and Aftermath

Back to the Sliema crash. Mr. X was arrested and charged with driving without a valid licence and causing criminal damage. His car was impounded, and he was released on bail. But the questions remain – how did he keep driving for so long? And how many more like him are on Malta’s roads?

For now, Transport Malta is reviewing its processes. They’ve assured Hot Malta that they’re committed to ensuring all drivers have the correct permits. As for Mr. X, his case is ongoing. His lawyer declined to comment.

In the meantime, residents are left wondering. Is it time to tighten the rules? Or is there a balance to be struck between safety and practicality? The debate continues.