Sliema Crash Accused: How a Maltese Driver’s Licence Was Issued Without Residence Permit

Picture this: a bustling Sliema street, cars whizzing by, and a pedestrian crossing at the busy junction of Tower Road and Constitution Street. Suddenly, a crash. A car, driven by a man who should not have been behind the wheel, has just hit a pedestrian. This is not a hypothetical scenario, but a recent reality that has left Malta’s road safety authorities with more questions than answers.

Licence Issued, But No Permit

The man in question, a 28-year-old foreign national, was issued a Maltese driver’s licence despite not having a Maltese residence permit. This revelation has raised eyebrows and sparked concerns about the vetting process for foreign drivers in Malta. According to sources close to the investigation, the man had been living in Malta for some time but had not regularised his stay.

Malta’s road safety authorities are now scrambling to understand how this oversight occurred. “We’re looking into how this happened,” a spokesperson for the Malta Police Force told Hot Malta. “Our systems should have flagged this, and we’re working to ensure such an incident doesn’t recur.”

Residence Permit: A Prerequisite for Licence?

In Malta, a residence permit is typically required to obtain a driver’s licence. The process involves presenting a valid ID card or passport, proof of address, and a clean driving record from one’s home country. But what happens when a foreign national lives in Malta without a residence permit?

“It’s a grey area,” admits Dr. Joseph Muscat, a legal expert specialising in immigration law. “The law requires a residence permit, but it’s not always clear how strictly this is enforced. We need to review and clarify these procedures to ensure public safety.”

Sliema’s Safety Concerns

Sliema, Malta’s most densely populated locality, has long grappled with traffic congestion and safety issues. The recent crash has reignited calls for stricter traffic enforcement and better pedestrian infrastructure. “We need safer crossings and stricter penalties for traffic violations,” says Mario Vella, a Sliema resident and member of the local council. “Our streets are too busy, and pedestrians are often an afterthought.”

Malta’s Transport Minister, Ian Borg, has acknowledged the concerns. “We’re working on improving traffic management and pedestrian safety in Sliema,” he told Hot Malta. “Incidents like this remind us that there’s still much work to be done.”

As the investigation into the Sliema crash continues, one thing is clear: Malta’s road safety authorities must ensure that only those who meet the legal requirements are issued driver’s licences. The safety of Malta’s roads, and its pedestrians, depends on it.