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derelict car notice

Last activity 20 August 2018 by DP4

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MamLam

Hi All,
I got a 'this car is being considered as derelict and will be impounded in 8 days' notice on my car the other day and I don't understand why (there is no number to contact). (refers to 8A in this law http://www.justiceservices.gov.mt/Downl … temid=9198) which mentions encumberances and derelict vehicles)
Wonder if anyone has had one of these?

The car is 2 years old, foreign reg plates (UK), in good condition (washed before a recent dusty rain). I have not applied for e-residence yet so am still a tourist and it has been in Malta for just over a month so well within period. It was parked in a row of parking spaces with no parking restrictions in Sliema and had only been parked there 4 days when the notice was put on. (No parking restrictions which is why it got this notice and not a ticket I think). It is a largeish car but I had it parked neatly inside the white lines of the space (unlike ALL the other cars beside it) and it wasn't jutting out. The only possible thing I can see is that the bumper overhung the pavement a little but there was a car hanging over much more 2 up and no ticket on it.

My wife thinks that we parked in someone's favourite spot (a wardens wife e.g.) and they complained and this is just a scam as the car had foreign plates.
The car is clearly not derelict though compared to most of the crp sun damaged cars I see everywhere and I don't see why when there were no parking restrictions this could be considered as such? As it is I am not sure what I need to do to avoid getting another notice like this in the future and whether this notice tracks the reg rather than physical space (I can't see how the space is noted?) so could it be towed away on same notice while parked in a different publically available space? I have moved it but is this enough?

Anyone had one of these before or have any idea what these are about? are they another money making scam on foreign cars? It is not clear what I need to do to avoid getting the car towed...
Thanks
M

volcane

If you are a tourist, your car can stay in Malta for six out of 12 months, while retaining its foreign registration plates.

They also monitor cars in/out of the port so forget about a quick day trip to Italy to sort it out.  Why would you leave a car unregistered for 2 years?!

MamLam

Sorry I think you misread. The car is 2 years old (2016 reg). I have only been in Malta for one month. It is not registered as I am not yet a resident (still a tourist). I will get rid of car before I apply for residence (as not worth the import tax) but don't see why I for a derelict notice on it.
I agree with you that this should be in the 6 of 12 months period (mentioned as the legal page linked suggested that an unregistered car may be one of the reasons here) and I should be able to keep it here till my status changes.

volcane

Ah indeed - then it shouldnt be considered derelict, I did indeed miss read.  Did you call TM? they are usually quite helpful

SimCityAT

I would inquire at the police station or the council, take the note with you and ask them to explain it to you.

MamLam

Hi thanks
I didn't call as there was no number on the notice. Was really asking forum members if its a known thing before I dive into the hassle of finding someone, contacting and explaining 20 times on the phone!... :-)

DP4

Suggest  you go to malta transport  in person. Take all documents  with you. Get there early as long queues.

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