Sliema Crash: How Did a Driver Without Residence Permit Hold a Maltese Licence?

Picture this: A busy Sunday afternoon in Sliema. The sun is shining, and the streets are bustling with locals and tourists alike. Suddenly, a crash echoes through the usually peaceful streets. A car, driven by a man who shouldn’t have been behind the wheel, has just caused chaos. But how did this happen?

No Residence Permit, Yet a Maltese Licence

Meet the man at the centre of this storm, a 32-year-old foreign national. He was driving a car registered in Malta, with a Maltese driving licence. The problem? He didn’t have a residence permit. So, how did he manage to obtain a licence in the first place?

In Malta, obtaining a driving licence involves a series of checks. You need to prove your identity, address, and residence status. But somehow, this man slipped through the net. His licence was issued in 2018, and he’s been driving on Maltese roads ever since.

Questions Raised About Licence Issuance

The Transport Malta (TM) authority is responsible for issuing driving licences. They’ve confirmed that the man’s licence was issued after he presented a residence certificate. But here’s the catch – the certificate was issued by a foreign authority, not the Maltese one. So, how was this accepted?

This incident has raised serious questions about the licence issuance process. How many others like him are driving on our roads? How can we ensure the safety of all road users if such loopholes exist?

Community Reacts: Safety Concerns and Calls for Tighter Controls

News of the incident has sparked outrage among Sliema residents and road safety advocates. Many have taken to social media to express their concerns. “This is a serious issue,” says Maria, a long-time Sliema resident. “We need tighter controls to ensure only those who are legally entitled to drive, are on our roads.”

Road safety NGO, Moviment Graffitti, echoes these sentiments. “This incident highlights the need for stricter enforcement of our driving licence regulations,” they say. “We urge authorities to investigate this matter thoroughly and take necessary action.”

TM has assured the public that they are investigating the matter and will take appropriate action. They’ve also reminded the public that driving without a valid licence or residence permit is a serious offence, punishable by law.

As we wait for the results of this investigation, one thing is clear – this incident has exposed a potential loophole in our driving licence issuance process. It’s high time we plug this hole to ensure the safety of all road users in Malta.