Pol 21 - Certification and Re-Registration of Undocumented Vintage Vehicles

LAND TRANSPORT DIRECTORATE

POL 21 - CERTIFICATION AND RE-REGISTRATION OF UNDOCUMENTED VINTAGE VEHICLES

A. INTERNAL PROCEDURES

1 OBJECTIVE

1.1 The aim of these procedures is to give an overview of the procedure to be used during the Re- registration of Undocumented Vintage Vehicles.

The re-registration of undocumented vehicles is a concession being granted to bona-fide vehicles enthusiasts with the aim of encouraging the restoration and eventually use of classic, vintage and veteran vehicles.

Transport Malta will be compiling an up to-date list of these undocumented motor vehicles manufactured in or before 1976, with all their relative identification characteristics as well as that of their owners.

An undocumented vehicle is one that may have been previously registered in Malta during the past years, but that has had, either its registration number lost or misplaced, or the identity of its original owner untraceable, either through death or simply because it may have been disposed of without documents when rendered redundant through whatever reason (surplus to use, unavailability of parts etc.). Since the Land Transport Directorate does not possess a comprehensive system that can recognize a vehicle of any age, simply form its chassis, engine or registration number, there is no way that the vehicle’s details can be retrieved hence it is considered “undocumented”.

The Authority recognizes the fact that the registration of undocumented vehicles is by virtue of its nature a process that could be abused of, and hence emphasizes the need for a serious and stringent, but practical approach to the concession.

2 CRITERIA FOR ELIGIBILITY

2.1 The following is the criteria for the re-registration of undocumented vehicle:

 The Full Registration Tax applicable to vintage vehicles shall be paid;

 The undocumented vehicle has to be found in a state that indicates it was originally registered in Malta many years ago and subsequently abandoned or forgotten;

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 The owner must provide reasonable proof that the vehicle was on the islands of Malta and was not imported or brought into Malta lately. Such proof may consist of photos, documentation and/or declarations;

 The applicant must fill in Application Form VEH 18 and then the application will be verified by the Vintage Board. The Board will make the initial filtering of all applications and ascertains that the vehicle in question has the potential to qualify as a classic vehicle in the further after restoration;

 A declaration will be signed by the registered owner, which would empower Transport Malta to deregister the vehicle and take all the necessary steps, should it transpire that the application was not in good faith.

3 DOCUMENTED AND PHOTOS REQUIRED

3.1 Form VEH 18 – Application Form to Re-Register an Undocumented Motor Vehicle manufactured in or before 1976.

In section 1, the owner identity will be established. The applicant here will fill in his personal identification details.

In section 2, all the known vehicle information will be set out and is to include: make of vehicle, model, year of manufacture chassis or frame number, engine number, engine make, model, capacity and type, etc. A subsection will be utilized by those individuals who happen to possess a spare engine of similar make and type as the original and intend using this as a source of parts or as a whole for the refurbishment or substitution of the vehicle’s motor. All the relevant information regarding this engine will be included under this section. Where no engine or chassis numbers are present applicant should stat “N/A” (i.e. Not Available).

Section 3 is a sworn declaration, wherein the applicant states in writing how the vehicle came to be in his possession. This section will also carry a short affirmation stating that, to the knowledge of the applicant all the information supplied is correct and true. It will also carry the official marks related to the affidavit taken, as well as the applicant’s signature.

In section 4, the applicant will state whether the said vehicle can be moved or otherwise, for official inspection purposes and whether a new chassis/frame number needs to be punched. Prior to authentication by the Vintage Verification Board, TM representatives will carry out the first inspection for the Land Transport Directorate.

3.2 Form VEH 15 – Application Form for the Certification of Motor Vehicles as classic, vintage or veteran vehicles manufactured on or before a date falling within 35 years from date of

manufacture. (This form is not required if vehicle is un-restored and is going to be garaged. However, once vehicle is resorted this application will be required for authentication by the Vehicle Verification Board).

3.3 In the case of cars, vans, trucks, etc. Five photographs will be required (front and rear, side, engine bay and vehicle interior). Four photographs will be required in the case of motorcycles, (front, rear and both sides). Where engine shield/covers are present (e.g. Motor scooters) a photograph clearly showing the engine must be submitted.

3.4 Where the vehicle in question is little more than a chassis/frame, the applicant will be required to supply further documentation, from a recognized authority, (e.g. marquee owners club, local member club etc.) supporting the identity of the vehicle in question.

4 PROCEDURE

4.1 Between the 20th November 2012 and the 15th December 2012, Transport Malta will receive applications from vehicle owners who have in their possession undocumented Motor Vehicles manufactured in or before 1976. Application Forms will be deposited at the Land Transport Directorate, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Unit, Hornworks Ditch, Floriana, Hall C between 07.30 and 15.00.

4.2 NON DRIVABLE VEHICLES A processing fee of € 60.00 will be paid. This fee will not be refundable and includes the following:  Initial filtering of application by The Vintage Board  Inspection and Valuation by Transport Malta  Registration Fee  Registration Certificate (Log Book)

This fee does not include the number plates and the road licence. A further € 50.00 will be charged if any punching of numbers is required.

The clerk will then forward the application to the registry and the application will be logged in a file. An acknowledgment that the vehicle has been logged into the TM’s system will be issued to the applicant.

The application Form VEH 18 of the un-drivable vehicle will be passed to the Vintage Board that will carry out an initial filtering. This filtering will only ascertain that the vehicle in question has the potential to qualify as a classic vehicle in the future after restoration.

Since vehicle is un-drivable and therefore not roadworthy, applicant will be issued with a registration certificate (log book) and vehicle declared as “garaged”. There will be no time limit restrictions on restoration and the log book is transferable.

Application Form VEH 18 together with a newly completed VEH 15 application with a new set of photos of the now-restored vehicle will then be assessed by the Vintage Verification Board. If the vehicle is certified as being a genuine and authentic motor vehicle manufactured, no first registration fees are applicable. Vehicle can then be used normally after procurement of the VRT, Insurance, Number Plates and Road Licence.

4.3 DRIVABLE VEHICLES

A processing fee of € 60.00 will be paid. This fee will not be refundable and includes the following:  Inspection and Valuation by Transport Malta  Processing application by the Vintage Board  Registration Fee  Registration Certificate (Log Book)

This fee does not include the number plates and the road licence. A further € 50.00 will be charged if any punching of numbers is required.

The clerk will then forward the application to the registry section and the application will be logged in a file. An acknowledgment that the vehicle has been logged into the TM’s system will be issued to the applicant.

The applicant will be advised to either take the said vehicle to a VRT station for inspection or to the TM Technical Unit.

Application form VEH 18 together with a completed form VEH 15 will then be assessed by the Vintage Board. If the vehicle is certified as being a genuine and authentic motor vehicle, no registration fees are applicable. Vehicle can then be used normally after procurement of the VRT, Insurance, Number Plates and Road Licence.

4.4 The actual inspection, processing and the eventual registration of all vehicles must be completed by the 31st January, 2013.

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