            TRAFFIC REGULATION   g CAP. 65.   1
CHAPTER 65
TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDINANCE
To make provision for the regulation of traffic, and to grant certain
powers to provide public service vehicles, and for other purposes
connected therewith.
31st March, 1931
ORDINANCE X of 1931, as amended by Ordinances: XV of 1931, XXIII
of 1935, XXVI of 1938, LIII of 1939 and XV of 1946; Acts: XXXVII of 1949
and XXVI of 1956; Emergency Ordinance VI of 1958; Ordinance XXV of
1962; Legal Notices: 4 of 1963 and 46 of 1965; Acts: XVI of 1969, II of
1972, XVII and XXXIV of 1974, and XLI of 1975; Legal Notice 148 of
1975; and Acts: XLI of 1976, XXXV and XL of 1977, XXVII of 1980, XV of
1981, VI of 1982, XII1 of 1983, XII of 1984, XLII of 1986 and VIII of 1990;
Legal Notice 162 of 1990; and Acts XII and XXIV of 1995. And, in regard
to the Schedule, by Resolutions passed by the Council of Government on
the 12th March, 1940, and on the 16th December, 1941, and published by
Govt. Notice No. 114 of 26th March, 1940, and Government Notice No.
578 of 23rd December, 1941, respectively; Act XV of 1946; Government
Notice No. 18 of 1947; Acts: XXXVII of 1949, XXXIV of 1974, XLI of 1975,
XXXV and XL of 1977, XXVII of 1980, XV of 1981, VII and XIII of 1983,
XXXI of 1997, VI of 1998, IX and XXIII of 2000, VI and XXVII of 2001, and
III of 2002.
Short title. 
Ordinance. 
Interpretation. 
Amended by: 
XXVI. 1956.2; 
XXV.1962.2; 
XL.1977.2: 
VI.1982.2; 
L.N. 162 of 1990;
XXIII. 2000.30.
Cap. 332.
2. In this Ordinance -
the word "animal" means any horse, mule or donkey, when used
for the conveyance or carriage of persons, corpses or goods;
the words "Authority" and "Malta Transport Authority" mean the
Malta Transport Authority established under article 3 of the Malta
Transport Authority Act;
the word "Minister" means the Minister responsible for
transport;
the word "motor-car" means any vehicle propelled by mechanical
power;
the words "motor bus" mean any motor-car, capable of carrying
more than seven passengers, used against payment for the
conveyance of passengers;
the word "owner" means the person in whose name a motor-car
or a ferry-boat is licensed;
Cap. 332.
the words "public transport" have the same meaning given to
them by article 2 of the Malta Transport Authority Act;
Cap. 332.
the words "public transport vehicle" have the same meaning
given to them by article 2 of the Malta Transport Authority Act;
the word "vehicle" includes any carriage, karrozzin, animal
drawn cart, car, motor-car, omnibus, bicycle or other means of
  2        CAP. 65. h               TRAFFIC REGULATION
transport of any class or description intended for the conveyance or
carriage of persons, corpses or goods:
Provided that no provision of this Ordinance or of any
regulation made thereunder shall apply to any animal drawn vehicle
unless the Minister makes regulations extending such provisions to
be applicable thereto.
Power of Minister 
to make orders 
limiting period of 
work by drivers of 
motor-cars.
Added by: 
XXVI 1938.2. 
Amended by: 
VI.1958.2; 
XXV. 1962.2; 
L.N. 4 of 1963; 
XIII.1983.5; 
L.N. 162 of 1990;
XXIII. 2000.30.
3. (1) With a view to protecting the public against the risks
which arise in cases where the drivers of motor-cars are suffering
from excessive fatigue, the Minister on the advice of the Malta
Transport Authority may make orders prescribing the continuous
periods for which any person may drive or cause or permit any
person employed by him or subject to his orders to drive any class
of motor-car which may be specified in any such order.
(2) Any order made under this article may be revoked or varied
by a subsequent order.
(3) Any person who acts in contravention of any order made by
the Minister under this article shall, on conviction, be liable to a
fine ( multa ) not exceeding twenty liri:
Provided that it shall be a valid defence to any charge under
this article if the person charged proves to the satisfaction of the
court that the contravention was due to unavoidable delaying the
completion of any journey, arising out of circumstances which he
could not reasonably have foreseen.
Appointment of 
Traffic Control 
Board. 
Substituted by: 
XXVI. 1956.3. 
Amended by: 
VI. 1958.2; 
XXV. 1962.2; 
L.N. 46 of 1965; 
L.N. 162 of 1990;
IX.2000.5.
Repealed by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
4. Repealed by: XXIII. 2000.30.
Establishment of 
routes. 
Amended by: 
L.N. 4 of 1963. 
Substituted by: 
XVI. 1969.2. 
Amended by: 
L.N. 162 of 1990;
XXIII. 2000.30.
5. (1) The Malta Transport Authority may from time to time,
for the better organisation of the motor bus passenger transport
service, do all or any of the following:
( a ) establish routes for the conveyance of passengers from
one part of Malta to another;
( b ) group together two or more routes or all the routes; 
( c ) determine which motor buses shall operate on any
such route;
( d ) allot the service on any such route to any company or
companies and, or to any individual person or persons; 
( e ) vary, cancel or revoke any such route or any grouping
of routes or any allotment of service thereon,
and may do so upon such conditions as the Authority may direct;
and in making any allotment of service under this article the
Authority may make such allotment to the exclusion of any other
            TRAFFIC REGULATION   g CAP. 65.   3
company or companies or any other individual person or persons.
(2) In this Ordinance references to a route shall include
references to a group of routes and references to the allotment of
service on a route shall include references to any such allotment
made following action taken under sub-article (1)( d ) or ( e) .
Vehicles to ply 
under exclusive 
management of 
persons to whom 
service is allotted. 
Amended by: 
L.N. 162 of 1990;
XXIII. 2000.30.
6. Where the motor bus passenger transport service on any
route is, in terms of the preceding article, allotted to any person or
persons not being a company, no motor bus shall be licensed by the
Malta Transport Authority to ply upon that route, except under the
exclusive management and direction of any such person or persons
and on the conditions laid down in any agreement entered into by
the Malta Transport Authority with any such person or persons to
whom the service shall be allotted, and on such other conditions as
the Authority may impose.
Withdrawal subject 
to re-issue of 
licences. 
Amended by: 
L.N. 162 of 1990;
XXIII. 2000.30.
7. Where the service on any route is allotted to any person or
persons in terms of article 5 all licences held by the owners of any
motor bus to ply on that route shall be withdrawn, subject to their
being re-issued at the discretion of the Malta Transport Authority,
under the conditions laid down in the last preceding article.
Appointment of 
traffic inspectors. 
Substituted by: 
XLI.1975.2. 
Amended by: 
L.N. 162 of 1990;
XXIII. 2000.30.
8. (1) The Malta Transport Authority may appoint any of its
employees as traffic inspectors, hereinafter in this Ordinance also
referred to as "inspectors".
(2) The functions and duties of inspectors shall be such as are
or may be assigned to them by or under this Ordinance or by the
Malta Transport Authority.
Interference with 
the duties of traffic 
inspectors. 
Amended by: 
XIII.1983.5;
XXIII. 2000.30.
9. Whosoever shall hinder or obstruct any traffic inspector in
the exercise of his duties or unduly interfere with the exercise of
such duties or in any other manner whatsoever, or shall refuse to
comply with any directions which he may give in the execution of
his duties, shall be guilty of a contravention and shall be liable, on
conviction, to a fine ( multa ) of not less than ten liri for each
offence.
Inciting persons to 
commit breach of 
contract.
Added by:
XV. 1931.2. 
Amended by: 
XIII. 1983.5; 
L.N. 162 of 1990;
XXIII. 2000.30.
10. Whosoever shall incite another person to commit a breach
of any agreement entered into by the Malta Transport Authority
with any person or persons to whom a service on any route is or
shall be allotted in terms of article 5, or of any agreement entered
into between such person or persons and the owner of a motor bus,
shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine ( multa ) of not less than ten
and not more than twenty liri and, in the case of a second or
subsequent conviction, to imprisonment up to three months.
Refusal to give 
name to traffic 
inspectors, etc. 
Substituted by: 
XLI. 1975.3. 
Amended by: 
XIII. 1983.5;
XXIII. 2000.30.
11. Any passenger, owner, driver or conductor of a motor bus
who shall refuse to give his name and address to any inspector, or
who shall give a wrong name or address, and any passenger who
shall refuse to show any ticket to an inspector when requested to do
so, and any owner, driver or conductor of a motor bus, who shall
refuse to allow any inspector to enter any motor bus on any route or
at any stage shall be liable, on conviction - 
( a ) to a fine ( multa ) of not less than five liri on a first
conviction;
  4        CAP. 65. h               TRAFFIC REGULATION
( b ) to a fine ( multa ) of not less than thirty liri on a second
conviction; and
( c ) on a third or subsequent conviction to a fine ( multa ) of
not less than one hundred liri and not exceeding two
hundred liri, and where the offender is the owner, the
court shall in addition order the cancellation of the
licence of the motor bus:
Provided that no such conviction shall be deemed to be a
second, third or subsequent conviction unless it refers to a second,
third or subsequent offence committed within twelve months from
the commission of the previous offence.
Prohibition of 
smoking on route 
motor buses. 
Added by: 
XLI. 1976.2.
12 . Repealed by article 20 of Act XLII of 1986.
Power of Malta 
Transport 
Authority to allow 
extra buses etc., to 
ply on certain 
routes. 
Amended by: 
L.N. 162 of 1990;
XXIII. 2000.30.
13. It shall be lawful for the Malta Transport Authority
notwithstanding any agreement made in terms of article 5, in case
of any emergency, or of an unusual concourse of people, to order
that other motor buses not ordinarily licensed for that route, be run
for such time and under such conditions as the Authority may direct
and no claim shall be entertained for damages suffered in
consequence of such order being contrary to the conditions
contained in any agreement between the Authority and any other
person or persons.
Requisition by 
Malta Transport 
Authority of 
motorcars etc., in 
case of stoppage or 
suspension of 
service. 
Added by: 
XV.1931.3. 
Amended by:
L.N. 148 of 1975; 
XIII. 1983.5; 
L.N. 162 of 1990; 
XXIV.1995.360;
XXIII. 2000.30;
VI. 2001.7.
14. (1) In the event of a stoppage or of a suspension for any
cause whatsoever of any service on any established route or in any
other part of Malta usually served with motor buses which may
affect, or be likely to affect the reasonable requirements of the
inhabitants of Malta for transport, it shall be lawful for the Malta
Transport Authority to seize and take possession of and use, any
motor-car licensed for public hire, motor bus or other vehicle and
for such purpose to authorize any Police officer to enter any garage,
stable or other premises.
(2) The owner of any such motor-car, motor bus or vehicle
shall receive such compensation in respect of the use thereof as the
Authority may, previously or subsequently, fix.
(3) From the decision of the Authority an appeal shall lie to the
Court of Appeal (Inferior Jurisdiction). Such appeal shall be
entered by an application within four days from the date on which
the decision was given. The application shall be served to the
Authority which shall file an answer thereto within four days. The
pleadings on any such appeal shall be deemed to be closed with the
answer of the Authority, or at the expiration of the time for such
answer. 
(3A) The Minister responsible for justice may by regulations
establish the fees payable in the registry of the courts for the filing
of judicial acts under this Ordinance:
Cap. 12.
Provided that until such fees are so established by the
Minister, the fees contained in the Code of Organization and Civil
Procedure shall apply.
            TRAFFIC REGULATION   g CAP. 65.   5
(3B) The board established under article 29 of the Code of
Organization and Civil Procedure may make rules, not inconsistent
with this Ordinance, governing appeals under this article.
(4) Any person who shall obstruct or hinder any Police officer
from taking possession of any motor-car, motor bus or vehicle, or
shall in any way interfere with or incite others to interfere with the
use of any vehicle requisitioned under the provisions of this article,
shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine ( multa ) of not less than ten
and not more than twenty liri or to imprisonment up to three
months.
(5) If any person shall by reason of any requisition in terms of
this article be prevented from fulfilling any contract, such person
shall not be deemed to have thereby committed a breach of
contract, but such contract shall be suspended by such requisition
so far as its fulfilment is thereby rendered impossible.
Driving motor-car 
without licence, 
etc. 
Amended by: 
LIII. 1939.2; 
XXVI.1956.4; 
XVII.1974.2; 
XIII.1983.5; 
L.N. 162 of 1990;
VI. 1998.2;
XXIII. 2000.30;
III. 2002.161.
15 . (1) Any person who -
( a ) drives a motor-car or other vehicle without a licence or
an unlicensed motor-car or other vehicle, or in a
reckless, negligent or dangerous manner, provided that
no licence shall be required in relation to a bicycle; or
( b ) causes, suffers or permits his car to be driven by a
person not duly licensed to drive a motor-car or other
vehicle,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a
fine ( multa ) not exceeding one hundred liri or to imprisonment not
exceeding three months.
(1A) Any person who makes use of an identification number
other than that allotted by the police or by the Authority in relation
to a particular motor-car shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on
conviction, be liable to a fine ( multa ) not exceeding five hundred
liri or to imprisonment not exceeding six months or to both such
fine and imprisonment.
(2) Where the offence consists in driving a motor-car or other
vehicle in a reckless or dangerous manner, the court shall, in
addition to the punishment under sub-article (1), disqualify the
offender for holding or obtaining a driving licence, in the case of a
first conviction for a period of not less than three months, and in
the case of a second or subsequent conviction for a period of not
less than one year.
(3) In the case of any other offence under sub-article (1), the
court shall, at the instance of the prosecution, in addition to the
punishment under that sub-article, disqualify the offender for
holding or obtaining a driving licence for a period of not less than
eight days.
(4) The Minister may by regulations under this section make
provision whereby any disqualification to hold a licence or any
revocation or suspension of a licence to drive a vehicle in a country
outside Malta as may be designated in such regulations, shall have
effect as if such disqualification, revocation or suspension was
  6        CAP. 65. h               TRAFFIC REGULATION
ordered by a Court or other authority in Malta to the extent and
under such conditions as may be specified in such regulations, and
no licence issued under this Act shall be valid in any period where
in accordance with such regulations such person is deemed
disqualified from holding any licence or has his licence suspended
or revoked.
Driving, etc., a 
motor-car while 
unfit to drive.
Added by:
VI. 1998.3.
Amended by:
XXIII. 2000.30
15A. (1) No person shall drive or attempt to drive or be in
charge of a motor-car or other vehicle on a road or other public
place if he is unfit to drive through drink or drugs.
(2) For the purposes of this article, a person shall be deemed to
be unfit to drive if his ability to drive properly is for the time being
impaired.
Driving, etc., a 
motor-car with 
alcohol 
concentration in 
the breath etc., 
above the 
prescribed limit.
Added by:
VI. 1998.3.
Amended by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
15B. No person shall drive, attempt to drive or be in charge of a
motor-car or other vehicle on a road or other place after consuming
so much alcohol that the proportion of it in his breath, blood or
urine exceeds the prescribed limit. 
Breath tests.
Added by:
VI. 1998.3.
Amended by:
XXIII. 2000.30
15C. Where a Police officer reasonably suspects that -
( a ) a person is driving or attempting to drive or is in
charge of a motor-car or other vehicle on a road or
other public place and has alcohol in his body or has
committed an offence against the provisions of this
Ordinance or against any regulations made thereunder
whilst the motor-car or other vehicle was in motion; or
( b ) a person has been driving or attempting to drive or has
been in charge of a motor-car or other vehicle on a
road or other public place with alcohol in his body and
that that person still has alcohol in his body; or
( c ) a person has been driving or attempting to drive or has
been in charge of a motor-car or other vehicle on a
road or other public place and has committed an
offence against the provisions of this Ordinance or
against any regulations made thereunder whilst the
motor-car or other vehicle was in motion; or
( d ) a person was driving or was attempting to drive or was
in charge of a motor-car or other vehicle on a road or
other public place when that motor-car or other vehicle
was involved in an accident,
he may require that person to provide a specimen of breath for a
breath test.
Powers of arrest.
Added by:
VI. 1998.3.
15D. A Police officer may proceed to the arrest of a person if -
( a ) as a result of a breath test the Police officer reasonably
suspects that the proportion of alcohol in that person’s
blood exceeds the prescribed limit; or
( b ) that person fails to provide a specimen of breath for a
            TRAFFIC REGULATION   g CAP. 65.   7
breath test when required to do so in pursuance of the
provisions of article 15C provided that such person
had been warned that the failure or refusal to comply
with such a request was an offence.
Provision of 
specimen for 
analysis.
Added by:
VI. 1998.3.
15E. (1) In order to determine whether a person has committed
an offence under articles 15A and 15B a Police officer may require
such person -
( a ) to provide two specimens of breath for analysis by
means of a device approved by an order of the Minister
published in the Gazette; or
( b ) to provide a specimen of blood or two specimens of
urine for laboratory analysis:
Provided that the Police may in addition to the specimens
of breath require also a specimen of blood or two specimens of
urine.
 (2) The two specimens of urine mentioned in sub-article (1)( b )
shall be provided with an interval of one hour between them and
the later specimen shall be used for analysis.
(3) Specimens may only be required to be provided as follows:
( a ) specimens of breath may be required to be provided at
or near the place where their provision is requested, or
at a Police station, health centre or hospital;
( b ) specimens of urine may be required to be provided at a
Police station, health centre or hospital;
( c ) specimens of blood may be required to be provided at
a health centre or hospital.
(4) A person who refuses or fails to provide a specimen as
provided under this article shall be guilty of an offence:
Provided that it shall be a defence for such person to prove
that his failure to provide a specimen was due to physical or mental
incapacity to provide it or because its provision would entail a
substantial risk to his health.
(5) The analysis of any specimen provided in accordance with
the provisions of this article shall take place at a laboratory
approved by an order of the Minister published in the Gazette, and
the opinion of the analyst in that laboratory and the results of the
analysis shall be admissible in evidence in any proceedings for an
offence under article 15A or 15B. The results of the analysis shall
be presumed correct unless the contrary is proved.
(6) Where a person has been found guilty of an offence against
any of the provisions of articles 15A and 15B, the court may,
besides sentencing the offender to the punishment applicable
according to law, order him to pay the fees, or part thereof, due to
the person or persons who shall have made the analysis under the
provisions of this article.
  8        CAP. 65. h               TRAFFIC REGULATION
Choice of 
specimens of 
breath.
Added by:
VI. 1998.3.
15F. (1) Subject to sub-article (2), of any two specimens of
breath provided by any person in pursuance of article 15E that with
the lower proportion of alcohol in the breath shall be used and the
other shall be disregarded.
(2) If the specimen with the lower proportion of alcohol
contains no more than 50 microgrammes of alcohol in 100
millilitres of breath, the person who provided it may claim that it
should be replaced by such specimen as may be required under
article 15E and, if he then provides such a specimen, neither
specimen of breath shall be used.
(3) The Minister may by regulations substitute another
proportion of alcohol in the breath for that specified in sub-article
(2).
Detention of 
persons affected by 
alcohol or a drug.
Added by:
VI. 1998.3.
15G. A person required to provide a specimen of breath, blood
or urine may be detained by the Police until it appears to the Police
that such person is fit to drive.
Offences and 
punishments. 
Added by:
VI. 1998.3.
15H. (1) Every person who contravenes any of the provisions
of articles 15A and 15B shall be guilty of an offence and shall on
conviction for such an offence or for an offence under sub-article
(4) of article 15E be liable -
( a ) in the case of a first conviction, to a fine ( multa ) of not
less than two hundred liri or to imprisonment not
exceeding three months, or to both such fine and
imprisonment;
( b ) in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a
fine ( multa ) of not less than five hundred liri but not
exceeding one thousand liri or to imprisonment not
exceeding six months, or to both such fine and
imprisonment.
(2) In addition to the punishments under sub-article (1), the
court shall disqualify the offender from holding or obtaining a
driving licence in the case of a first conviction for a period of not
less than six months, and in the case of a second or subsequent
conviction for a period of not less than one year:
Provided that in the case of a conviction due to a person
having been unfit to drive through drink or for an offence under
article 15B, the provisions of this sub-article shall apply only
where the proportion of alcohol in the breath, blood or urine
exceeds the prescribed limit by eight microgrammes or more in the
breath or by twenty milligrammes or more in the blood or by
twenty-three milligrammes or more in urine.
Interpretation of 
articles 15A to 15I.
Added by:
VI. 1998.3.
15I. (1) For the purposes of this article and of articles 15A to
15H, unless the context otherwise requires -
"breath test" means a preliminary test for the purpose of
obtaining, by means of a device of a type approved by the Minister,
an indication whether the proportion of alcohol in a person’s
breath, blood or urine is likely to exceed the prescribed limit;
            TRAFFIC REGULATION   g CAP. 65.   9
"drug" includes any intoxicant other than alcohol;
"the prescribed limit" means as the case may require:
( a ) 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of
breath; or
( b ) 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood;
or
( c ) 107 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of
urine,
or such other proportions as may be prescribed by regulations made
by the Minister.
(2) A person is deemed to have provided a specimen of blood
only if he consents to it being taken by a medical practitioner and it
is so taken in such quantity and of such quality as is capable of
being properly analysed for the purposes of article 15E.
(3) A person shall be deemed to have provided a specimen of
urine or breath only if that specimen is provided in such a manner
and in such quantity and of such quality as is capable of being
properly analysed for the purposes of article 15E.
Letting, without 
licence, motor-cars 
to be driven by 
hirer.
Added by: 
LIII. 1939.3. 
Amended by: 
XIII. 1983.5; 
L.N. 162 of 1990;
XXIII. 2000.30.
16. (1) No person shall, without a licence from the Malta
Transport Authority, carry on the business of hiring motor-cars to
be driven by the hirer or by a person under his control.
(2) Any person who acts in contravention of the provisions of
sub-article (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on
conviction, be liable to a fine ( multa ) not exceeding twenty liri.
(3) The licence, issued under sub-article (1), may be suspended
or cancelled by the Malta Transport Authority, if the holder of the
licence permits any motor-car to be used on the road, unless there is
in force in relation to the user of that motor-car such a policy of
insurance or such security in respect of third party risks as complies
with the requirements of any law for the time being in force
imposing such policy of insurance or security.
Proper use of taxi-
meter. 
Added by: 
XII. 1984.2 .
16A.  (1) Every taxi-car shall be fitted with an appropriate taxi-
meter for ascertaining the number of kilometres covered and the
relative legal charges of each trip.
(2) Every taxi-meter which is fitted in a taxi-car shall be placed
in a position which is easily visible to the passengers.
(3) Every person who carries passengers in a taxi-car shall
ensure at the commencement of any hire that the taxi-meter of such
car is in proper order for correct registering in accordance with sub-
article (1).
(4) No person shall carry passengers in a taxi-car if the taxi-
meter of such car is not in proper order as required by this article or
if such taxi-meter has its seals broken or is in any way tampered
with.
(5) No person shall whilst carrying passengers in a taxi-car fail
to operate the taxi-meter during any hire, or charge any amount in
  10        CAP. 65. h               TRAFFIC REGULATION
excess of the correct fare, or break the seals of the taxi-meter.
(6) Every person who contravenes any of the provisions of this
article shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be
liable -
( a ) for a first offence to a fine ( multa ) of not less than fifty
liri but not exceeding one hundred liri and to the
confiscation of the taxi-car for a period of not less than
one month but not exceeding three months and the
disqualification from holding a taxi-car driving licence
for the same period;
( b ) for a second offence to a fine ( multa ) of not less than
one hundred liri but not exceeding five hundred liri
and to the confiscation of the taxi-car for a period of
not less than three months but not exceeding six
months and the disqualification from holding a taxi-
car driving licence for the same period; and
( c ) for a third or any subsequent offence to a fine ( multa )
of not less than five hundred liri but not exceeding one
thousand liri and to the confiscation of the taxi-car for
a period of not less than six months but not exceeding
one year and the disqualification from holding a taxi-
car driving licence for the same period.
(7) The confiscation of the taxi-car as provided in sub-article
(6) shall take place irrespective of whether the offender is the
owner, or his employee or substitute, of such motor vehicle.
Cap. 446. 
Cap. 9.
(8) The Probation Act, and article 21 of the Criminal Code,
shall not be applicable in respect of an offence against any of the
provisions of this article.
Licence to let
vehicle on hire.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
17. Without prejudice to the provisions of article 16, it is
prohibited to let or hire any vehicle for the conveyance of persons
or for the carriage of goods without a licence from the Malta
Transport Authority.
Fitness of vehicle.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
18. The licence mentioned in article 17 in respect of a vehicle
for hire shall not be granted unless the Authority is satisfied that
the vehicle is fit for public use, and provided with such fittings,
accessories and brakes as, in the opinion of the Authority may be
necessary for the safety and convenience of passengers.
Plates bearing
registration 
number.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
19. A vehicle licensed in accordance with article 17 shall bear
such plates showing an identification number and such distinctive
letter as shall be allotted to it by the Authority.  The said number
and letter shall be of such pattern, colour and size as the Authority
shall determine.
Vehicle without 
plate to be deemed 
unlicensed.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
20. Any vehicle standing or plying for hire, or actually on hire
not having the plates referred to in the last preceding section, shall
be deemed to be an unlicensed vehicle.
Construction of 
vehicles for hire.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
21. Every vehicle for hire shall be constructed in accordance
with a design approved by the Authority.
            TRAFFIC REGULATION   g CAP. 65.   11
Keeping of vehicle 
in good state of 
repair, etc.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
22. It shall not be lawful to use any vehicle for hire which is
not kept in a good state of repair, cleanliness and decency in all its
parts and accessories.
Vehicles for 
conveyance of 
persons not to be 
used for 
conveyance of 
corpses.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
23. No vehicle destined for the conveyance of persons shall be
used for the conveyance of corpses.
Vehicles for 
conveyance of 
corpses.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
24. No vehicle shall be used for the conveyance of corpses
without a special licence, which shall not be granted unless the
vehicle be constructed in such form and provided with such
fittings, accessories and lamps as the Authority shall direct.
Withdrawal of 
licence of vehicle 
for hire.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
25. The licence mentioned in article 17 shall be withdrawn if
the vehicle is declared to be unfit for public use. The said licence
shall be returned or, if lapsed, renewed when the vehicle is put in
order to the satisfaction of the Authority.
Notice of sale or 
disposal of 
licensed vehicle.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
26. Any person named as owner or part-owner on a licence,
who shall have sold or otherwise disposed of his interest in the
vehicle to which the licence relates, shall give notice to the
Authority of such sale or disposal, and shall at the same time
produce the licence in order that a note may be entered thereon
showing the material particulars of such sale or disposal; and in
default of such notice and production, such person shall,
notwithstanding such sale or disposal, continue to be subject to the
provisions of this Ordinance as owner or part-owner of the vehicle.
Number of vehicle 
to be kept always 
visible to public.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
27. No owner or driver of a vehicle shall cause or suffer the
number assigned by the Authority and affixed by means of a plate
on the vehicle to be hidden from public view, or changed, or in any
manner hinder any person from taking note thereof, or refuse to
declare such number to any person desiring to know the same.
Power to change 
number of vehicle.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
28. Whenever the Authority may deem it expedient to change
the identification number of a vehicle, notice shall be given to the
person to whom the licence relative to such vehicle shall have been
granted; such person shall, within seven days after such notice,
produce the licence to the Authority, who shall assign another
number plate and enter on the licence a note of such change. Such
person shall affix on the vehicle the new number plate in the same
manner as the original number plate was affixed, or in such manner
as the Authority, may direct.
Licence for each 
vehicle.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
29. It shall not be lawful to grant one single licence in respect
of more than one vehicle.
Driver of vehicle to 
be licensed.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
30. No person shall act as driver of any vehicle for hire, other
than a bicycle, without a licence from the Authority; and the owner
of such vehicle shall not employ as driver any person not having
such licence.
  12        CAP. 65. h               TRAFFIC REGULATION
Qualifications to 
act as driver.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
31. Such licence shall only be granted to persons of age who,
in the opinion of the Authority, are of good conduct and fit to drive
vehicles for hire.
Licence to be 
revoked or 
suspended where 
driver is convicted 
of crime.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
32. Such licence shall, upon conviction of the holder for a
crime, be revoked or suspended for a stated period by the court
passing judgement.
Time within which 
to apply for
revocation or 
suspension of 
licence after
conviction.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
33. The allegation that the person accused is a driver of a
vehicle may, for the purposes of the last preceding section, be
made, even after the conviction, by an application, provided such
application is filed within eight days of such conviction.
Driver of public 
transport vehicle to 
wear identification 
tag.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
34. (1) Every driver of a public transport vehicle shall, whilst
driving the vehicle, wear in a conspicuous place on his breast in a
manner that it may be easily seen, an identification tag which will
be given to him by the Authority.
Driver may not 
lend tag.
(2) It shall not be lawful for any driver to lend his tag to any
other person, or to suffer any other person to make use thereof,
even though such other person is licensed to act as driver of a
public transport vehicle; it shall likewise be unlawful for any
person to make use of a tag granted to any other person.
Loss of tag. (3) If a driver loses his tag, he shall, without delay, give notice
thereof to the Authority, and if he shows, to the satisfaction of the
Authority, that the tag was lost without any fault on his part, he
shall be given another tag by the Authority on the payment of any
fee as may be prescribed.
Driver to carry 
licence.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
35. Every driver licensed to drive a vehicle for hire shall,
whilst driving the vehicle, or plying for hire, carry the licence on
him and shall produce the same whenever requested by the Police
or any other authority.
Owner or driver 
may not refuse to 
hire vehicle except 
on reasonable 
grounds.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
36. No owner or driver of a vehicle for hire shall, without
reasonable excuse, refuse to let out such vehicle to any given place,
or, at the choice of the person requiring the hire of the vehicle, for a
specified or unspecified time not exceeding four hours, provided
the person requiring the hire of the vehicle consents that such hire
should commence from the moment in which the request for the
hire is made.
Fare leviable for 
hire of taxi-cars.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
Cap. 332.
37. Notwithstanding anything contained in the last preceding
section, no fare shall be leviable for the hire of any vehicle licensed
as a taxi-car other than in accordance with the tariff contained in
regulations made under article 32 of the Malta Transport Authority
Act.
Duty of owner or 
driver to keep copy 
of tariff.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
38. (1) Every owner or driver of a vehicle, the hire of which is
regulated by a tariff, shall keep affixed in a conspicuous part of the
vehicle a printed copy of such tariff.
            TRAFFIC REGULATION   g CAP. 65.   13
Owner or driver 
not to demand fare 
higher than that 
established in tar-
iff or agreed upon.
(2) It shall not be lawful for the owner or driver of any such
vehicle to demand a fare higher than that established in the tariff,
or, if a lesser sum is agreed upon, more than such sum.
Owner or driver 
not to carry person 
or thing on or 
behind vehicle 
without consent of 
hirer.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
39. The owner or driver of a vehicle let out on hire shall not
permit any person or thing to be carried in, on or about such
vehicle, whilst on hire, without the consent of the hirer.
No person to act as 
driver of vehicle 
without consent of 
owner.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
40. No person authorised by the owner of a vehicle to act as
driver of such vehicle shall, except in case of necessity, suffer any
other person to act as driver of such vehicle, without the consent of
the owner thereof, and no person shall, except in case of necessity,
act as driver of a vehicle, without the consent of the owner of such
vehicle.
Compensation for 
damage done by 
driver may be 
recovered from 
owner.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
41. Where any damage has been caused to the property of
others through the driving of a motor-car or other vehicle in a
reckless, negligent or dangerous manner, it shall be lawful for the
court by which the driver is convicted, to direct that the owner of
the vehicle shall pay such a sum, not exceeding one thousand liri,
as appears to the court a reasonable compensation for such damage,
saving any action for any greater sum where the damage caused is
greater; and every owner who pays any such compensation as
aforesaid may recover the same from the driver as a civil debt in
respect of damages and interest.
Driver decently 
dressed.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
42. (1) Where the vehicle is intended for public transport, the
driver shall be decently dressed to the satisfaction of the Authority.
(2) Where the vehicle is intended for the conveyance of
corpses, the driver shall be decently dressed according to the
requirements of the service for which the vehicle is intended, and to
the satisfaction of the Authority.
Driver not to refuse 
to give way to 
other vehicle, etc.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
43. (1) The driver of a vehicle shall, if he conveniently can,
give way to any other vehicle and avoid obstructing the driver of
any other vehicle in taking up or setting down any person into or
from such other vehicle.
Driver to slacken 
speed, etc., at 
corners or cross-
roads.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
(2) The driver of a vehicle shall, before turning a corner or on
approaching a cross-road, proceed at a slow rate of speed, signal
the direction in which he intends to proceed and, where necessary,
sound the horn, bell or other device for signalling its approach.
Damage to vehicle 
by hirer.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
44. No person using any vehicle for hire shall wilfully and
contrary to the use for which the vehicle is intended, do anything
injuring such vehicle.
No licensed vehi-
cle to stand for hire 
unless provided 
with proper
fittings, etc.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
45. (1) No licensed vehicle shall be exposed for hire, unless it
is provided with such fittings, accessories and brakes as are, in the
opinion of the Authority, necessary for the safety and convenience
of passengers, or unless the animal and harness are, as regards
condition and appearance, suitable for the work for which they are
  14        CAP. 65. h               TRAFFIC REGULATION
intended.
Number of passen-
gers not to exceed 
that fixed in 
licence.
(2) It shall not be lawful to carry in the vehicle a greater
number of persons than that fixed in the licence.
Two persons under 
ten years of age to 
be considered as 
one person.
(3) For the purposes of this section two persons under ten years
of age shall be considered one person.
Vehicles to stand 
for hire in places 
appointed by 
Authority.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
46. Vehicles for hire, when out of the coach-house, shall not
stand for hire in any other place than that appointed by the
Authority.
Position of 
vehicles in stand. 
Vehicle not to pass 
through streets of 
Valletta at a very 
slow pace. Driver 
not to annoy
persons by 
soliciting hire.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
47. Vehicles for hire shall stand in line within the place
appointed by the Authority, and it shall not be lawful for the driver
of any such vehicle to pass through the streets of Valletta at a very
slow pace, or to stop in any street, for the purpose of letting out the
vehicle, or to annoy any person by soliciting hire, either personally
or through others.
Passengers not to 
drive vehicle.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
48. No driver of any vehicle for hire shall suffer any passenger
to drive such vehicle.
Lights to be carried 
by vehicles.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
49. Vehicles, other than motor-cars, plying on the road shall
between sunset and sunrise comply with such lighting requirements
as may be prescribed.
Power of Authority 
to require owner or 
driver to perform 
service of trans-
port.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
50. It shall be lawful for the Authority, at all times, to compel
the owner or driver of any vehicle for hire to perform such service
of transport as is required in the interests of the public and to give
the necessary directions, saving always such compensation as may
be due according to law.
Cancellation or 
suspension of 
licence.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
51. (1) It shall be lawful for the Malta Transport Authority to
cancel or suspend for any period the licence of any driver who, in
the exercise of his calling, shall infringe any of the provisions of
this Act or in connection with the exercise of such licence
contravenes any other law or otherwise behaves in a manner that
does not befit the exercise of his calling.
Cap. 12. The provisions of article 469A of the Code of Organization
and Civil Procedure shall apply to the exercise of the discretion of
the Authority under this section.
Power of Police to 
seize vehicle in 
case of disobedi-
ence of lawful 
orders.
(2) Any Police officer may seize any vehicle for hire if the
driver thereof refuses to obey a lawful order of the Police or in the
case of any infringement of any of the provisions of this Ordinance
or any regulation relating to vehicular traffic, and such vehicle
may, upon an order in writing of any Police officer not inferior in
rank to sub-inspector, be detained for a time not exceeding twenty-
four hours, pending an inquiry into the circumstances of the case.
            TRAFFIC REGULATION   g CAP. 65.   15
Power to make
regulations.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
52. (1) The Commissioner of Police shall have power to make
orders by notice in the Gazette, for controlling, restricting or
prohibiting temporarily the passage or stopping of vehicles of any
description through or in any street on the occasion of processions,
religious ceremonies or other public solemnities or celebrations, or
in connection with the repair of streets, laying of sewers or water
mains and other works; signs shall be appropriately placed to
indicate the prohibition or other restriction, unless a Police officer
is present to control traffic.
(2) Such power may also be exercised by the Malta Transport
Authority in connection with the repair of streets, laying of sewers
or water mains and other works; signs shall be appropriately placed
to indicate the prohibition or other restriction, unless a Police
Officer is present to control traffic.
Recovery of 
compensation or 
expenses from 
owner or driver.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
53. Where under the provisions contained in this Ordinance, the
Court of Magistrates shall have sentenced the owner or driver of
any vehicle to pay any compensation or expenses, such
compensation or expenses may be recovered through the same
court in the same manner and with the same means provided by law
for the enforcement of judgements delivered by the inferior courts
in civil matters.
Power of the 
Minister to make 
regulations. 
Substituted by: 
XV.1946.2. 
Amended by: 
XXVI.1956.5; 
XLI. 1975.4; 
XL.1977.3; 
VI.1982.3; 
L.N. 162 of 1990;
XXIII. 2000.30;
XXVII. 2001.33.
54. (1) The Minister may, after consultation with the
Authority, make regulations in respect of road traffic and the
conveyance of persons or the carriage of goods.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the aforesaid powers,
such regulations shall in particular provide:
( a ) for the grant, renewal, transfer, suspension and
cancellation of licences in respect of motor-cars, the
drivers thereof, the conductors of motor buses, motor-
car garages, and for such other licences in connection
with motor-cars and the users thereof as may be
necessary;
( b ) for prescribing the services which must be given by a
motor bus, the time, manner and conditions in which
or under which such service is to be given and the
place from which orders, agreements or other
arrangements for such services are to be given or
made, and for requiring the distribution among the
owners of buses, or of such part thereof as may be
prescribed in the regulations, of all fares, fees and
other receipts collected by them, in the manner, terms
and conditions prescribed in the regulations;
( c ) concerning the construction, equipment, condition and
maintenance of motor-cars and the periodical
examination of motor-cars by official experts;
( d ) concerning the classification of motor-cars according
to their use as approved by the Authority;
( e ) for ordering inside motor-cars the display of any
information;
  16        CAP. 65. h               TRAFFIC REGULATION
( f ) for prescribing the registers to be kept by licensees of
motor-cars licensed for hire, and the information to be
supplied by such licensees to the Authority;
( g ) for controlling, restricting or prohibiting the passage
or stopping of motor-cars through or on any road,
street, lane, square or other place of public
thoroughfare;
( h ) for the management and control of parking places and
of motor-cars while they are standing on or moving
into or out of parking places, for prescribing any
charges to be made for parking, and the use of
mechanical apparatus indicating the amount and
payment of such charges, for traffic signs, for
pedestrian crossings and for the restriction or control
of the movement of pedestrians in, through or across
any road, street or other places of public thoroughfare;
( i ) generally for the control of the use of motor-cars on
the road and for the regulation of traffic of motor-cars
and ferry-boats within the islands of Malta and Gozo
and between such islands;
( j ) for the removal, storage or disposal or the clamping of
any vehicle found on any road in contravention of any
law or regulation made thereunder, or of any vehicle,
seacraft or other thing causing a nuisance,
inconvenience or obstruction in any street, road, quay,
wharf or other public place, or where any licence or
tax in respect thereof is not paid, or where any fine due
in respect of any offence committed through the use of
such vehicle has not been duly paid, and
-  for prescribing the fees that may be due with
respect to removal and storage of vehicles and
with respect to the clamping of vehicles;
- for prescribing anything that may or may not be
done with respect to clamping and clamped
vehicles;
( k ) for exempting the Commissioner of Police or any other
authority from any liability for damages arising in
connection with the removal, storage and disposal of
motor vehicles, seacraft or any other thing in
accordance with regulations made under this article;
( l ) for prescribing the fees payable for the removal,
storage and disposal of any motor vehicle, seacraft or
and other thing in accordance with regulations made
under this article;
( m ) for any matter of procedure or of evidence in
proceedings under or relating to this Ordinance or any
regulations made thereunder.
(3) For the purposes of this section the terms "motor-car" or
"motor vehicle" shall include any other vehicle.
            TRAFFIC REGULATION   g CAP. 65.   17
Offences against 
regulations. 
Amended by: 
XXIII.1935.2; 
XXVI.1956.6; 
II.1972.2; 
XVII.1974.3; 
XLI.1975.5; 
XXXV.1977.2; 
XL.1977.4; 
XXVII.1980.2; 
XV.1981.2; 
VI. 1982.4; 
XIII. 1983.5; 
L.N. 162 of 1990;
XXIII. 2000.30.
Cap. 9.
55. (1) Saving any other provision of this Ordinance, any
person who commits an offence against any regulation made under
article 54 shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishments laid
down for contraventions in the Criminal Code but any such
punishment shall in no case be less than a fine ( ammenda ) of five
liri:
Provided that, in the case of an offence set out in the first
column of the First Schedule to this Ordinance, the punishment
awardable shall be that shown in the second column thereof and, in
the case of an offence set out in the first column of the Second
Schedule to this Ordinance, the punishment awardable shall in no
case be less than the relative fine shown in the second column
thereof.
(2) On conviction for any offence against such regulation the
court shall, at the instance of the prosecution, in addition to the
punishment under subarticle (1), disqualify the offender for holding
or obtaining a driving licence or a licence in respect of the motor-
car driven by him at the time of the offence for a period of not less
than eight days.
(3) Whenever an offence against the provisions of any
regulations made under article 54 has been committed and the
offence is one of the offences set out in the first column of the
Second Schedule to this Ordinance, the owner of the motor-car or,
when the registered user is different from the owner, the registered
user, or, in the case of a self-drive car, the person to whom it was
hired, shall be responsible for the offence unless -
( a ) prior or during the proceedings he reveals the name of
the person who committed the offence and that person
admits with the Police to have committed the offence,
or is found guilty by the court of having committed
such an offence;
( b ) he proves before the court that the motor-car had been
used without his permission or authority or without the
permission or authority of the person who had the
temporary use thereof with the permission of the said
owner or registered user or hirer, and reveals the
identity of the person committing the offence, if
known to him:
Provided that in the case of a self-drive car the owner
thereof shall be responsible for the offence unless the relative fine
has been paid. 
(4) Saving the provisions of sub-article (2), where the offence
consists in the contravention of any such regulation dealing with
the emission of smoke, grit, dust, ashes or oily substances from any
motor-car, the court shall, at the instance of the prosecution, in
addition to the punishment under sub-article (1), suspend for a
period of not less than eight days the licence relative to the motor-
car in respect of which the offence has been committed even though
such motor-car was not, at the time of the offence, being driven by
the licensee.
  18        CAP. 65. h               TRAFFIC REGULATION
(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of article 58 -
( a ) where the owner of a motor bus fails, for any reason
whatsoever, other than that referred to in paragraph ( b )
of this sub-article, to cause his motor bus to report for
duty on any day in which the bus is required by law to
perform a service or, having caused his motor bus to
report for such duty, fails to cause such motor bus to
continue to perform such service for the whole of that
day, he shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on
conviction, be liable to a fine ( multa ) of twenty liri for
a first offence, to a fine ( multa ) of fifty liri for a
second or subsequent offence and, in the case of a
third offence during a period of twelve months from
the first offence, to the cancellation of the licence of
his motor bus:
         Provided that the owner of the said motor bus shall not
be guilty of an offence under this paragraph if -
(i) in the event of failure to report for duty, he
provides an alternative motor bus of the same
type, class or category to report for duty at the
appointed time, or if, though he fails to provide
such an alternative motor bus, the total number
of buses on duty on that day is not less than the
number for the time being determined and
published by the Authority to be sufficient in
order that the service will not be disrupted; or
(ii) in the event of failure to continue to perform the
service as aforesaid, he provides an alternative
motor bus of the same type, class or category, to
continue that service within one hour from the
failure and for the whole of the remainder of that
day;
( b ) where the owner of a motor bus fails to cause his
motor bus to report for duty on any day in which the
bus is required by law to perform a service, or, having
caused his motor bus to report for such duty, it fails to
continue to perform such service for the whole of that
day, in either case as a result of a concerted action
taken by seven or more owners -
(i) if the action taken is in furtherance of a dispute
relating to any matter concerning the public
transport, and the intention to take such action is
notified to the Public Transport Authority by the
association representing the majority of owners
of motor buses not less than forty-eight hours
before it is in fact taken, the failure shall not
constitute an offence under this article;
(ii) if the action is not in furtherance of such a
dispute as aforesaid or is taken without notice as
aforesaid, or before the expiration of forty-eight
hours from its communication to the Authority,
            TRAFFIC REGULATION   g CAP. 65.   19
the owner shall be guilty of an offence and shall,
on conviction, be liable to a fine of not less than
fifty liri and to the cancellation of the licence of
his motor bus:
    Provided that any time falling on a Saturday
or a public holiday shall not be taken into
account in computing the time of forty-eight
hours referred to in this paragraph.
(6) Where an association representing the majority of owners
of motor buses so requests, the Director of Labour shall refer to the
Malta Transport Authority any failure by the owner of a motor bus
to cause his motor bus to report for duty on any day in which the
bus is required by law to perform a service, and the said officer
shall investigate the circumstances of the said failure and report his
findings to the Director of Labour and to the association making the
request for any action that may be appropriate in terms of the
statute of such association.
Non-renewal of 
road licence 
pending settlement 
of fine or penalty. 
Added by:
XII.1995.15.
Amended by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
Cap.291.
56.  Where any fine  (multa  or  ammenda)  is awarded by a court
of criminal jurisdiction, or where a Commissioner for Justice has
made an order for the payment of a penalty under the provisions of
the Commissioners for Justice Act, in connection with any offence
under this Ordinance committed by the use of any motor vehicle,
and such fine or penalty, as the case may be, has not been paid, the
Authority shall withhold from renewing that motor vehicle’s road
licence on the expiry thereof until such time as the payment of the
fine or the penalty is effected.
Civil liability of 
owner failing to 
renew licence.
Added by:
XXIII. 2000.30.
57. (1) An owner of a motor vehicle who fails to renew the
licence relative to the said motor vehicle shall, without prejudice to
his liability to criminal punishment under this Ordinance or under
any other law, also be, and be deemed to have always been, civilly
liable towards the Authority for the payment of the amount due for
the relevant licence fee.
(2) Proceedings for the collection of any civil debt incurred by
virtue of subarticle (1) shall be barred by the lapse of the period of
eight years from the date due for the renewal of the relative licence.
Cap. 12.
(3) When the Authority gives any notice by means of a judicial
letter that the said person is civilly liable for the payment of any
amount to the Authority under this section, the said notice shall
constitute an executive title for the purposes of Title VII of Part I
of Book Second of the Code of Organization and Civil Procedure,
unless the person notified shall commence proceedings in the
competent court of civil jurisdiction in order to object to the said
notice within thirty days from the date of service upon him of the
said notice.
(4) Any proceedings in order to object to a notice in terms of
subsarticle (3) shall be commenced by means of an application
filed against the Authority.
(5) The said application shall give the grounds of the objection
to the notice and shall contain the specific demands of the applicant
with regard to the notice and shall indicate the witnesses which the
  20        CAP. 65. h               TRAFFIC REGULATION
applicant intends to produce in support of this claim.
(6) The application together with the date of first hearing fixed
by the Court shall be notified to the Authority who may file a reply
within fifteen days from the date of service of the said act, giving
its reason for objecting to the demand and indicating the witnesses
it wished to produce in its defence.
Cap. 12.
(7) Saving the preceding provisions of this article, the
provisions of the Code of Organisation and Civil Procedure relating
to proceedings before the court of civil jurisdiction shall apply in
relation to any application filed in terms of this article.
Cancellation of 
licence in certain 
cases. 
Added by: 
XLI. 1975.6. 
Amended by: 
XL.1977.5; 
XIII. 1983.5;
XXIII. 2000.30.
58. (1) Saving the provisions of article 55(5), the owner of
any motor bus shall cause to be observed, in respect of his motor
bus, all the provisions of this Ordinance and of any regulations
made thereunder, and, in default of any such observance by any
person, he shall be guilty of an offence and be liable on conviction
to a fine ( multa ) of not less than fifty liri and the court shall in
addition order the cancellation of the licence of the motor bus.
(2) It shall be presumed that the owner of a motor bus has
committed an offence against this article if during any period of
three months not less than three offences against this Ordinance or
against any regulations made thereunder have been committed in
respect of that motor bus, and in any such case the court shall find
the owner guilty of an offence against this article unless he proves
that he has done all within his power to ensure compliance with all
the provisions aforesaid.
Offences against 
article 12. 
Added by: 
XLI. 1976.3. 
Amended by: 
XIII.1983.5.
20. Repealed by XXIII. 2000.30.
Powers of 
Commissioner of 
Police under sec. 
91 of Code of 
Police Laws 
unaffected. 
Cap. 10.
21. Repealed by XXIII. 2000.30.
Driving while 
under 
disqualification. 
Added by: 
LIII.1939.4. 
Repealed by: 
XXXVII.1949.2. 
Added by: 
XXVI. 1956.7. 
Amended by: 
XIII.1983.5;
XXIII. 2000.30.
59. If any person who is disqualified for holding or obtaining a
driving licence applies for or obtains a licence while he is so
disqualified, or if any such person while he is so disqualified drives
a motor-car, or, if the disqualification is limited to the driving of a
motor-car of a particular class or description, a motor-car of that
class or description, on a street, that person shall be liable, on
conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months,
or, if the court thinks that, having regard to the special
circumstances of the case, a fine would be an adequate punishment
for the offence, to a fine ( multa ) not exceeding one hundred liri,
and a licence obtained by any person disqualified as aforesaid shall
be of no effect.
            TRAFFIC REGULATION   g CAP. 65.   21
Time from which 
disqualification in 
respect of licence 
is to run in the case 
of appeal.
Added by: 
II. 1972.3 .
Amended by:
XXIII. 2000.30
60. If the execution of a judgment ordering a disqualification
under article 15(2) or (3) or article 18(2) or a suspension under
article 18(3) is stayed in view of the declared intention of the
person convicted to enter an appeal against that judgment, the
period of disqualification or suspension, as the case may be, shall
commence to run -
(i) if the said judgment is confirmed or reduced by
the judgment of the Court of Criminal Appeal,
from the date of such judgment;
(ii) if an application of appeal is not filed within the
time established by law, from the day next
following the day on which such time expires;
(iii) if the appeal is withdrawn by note, from the day
when such note is filed in the court or, if the
appeal is otherwise abandoned after the filing of
the application of appeal, from such day as the
Court of Criminal Appeal on application of the
Malta Transport Authority shall establish.
Offence of driving 
away without 
consent. 
Added by: 
XXVI. 1956.7. 
Amended by: 
II.1972.4; 
XIII.1983.5;
XXIII. 2000.30.
61 . (1) Any person who merely with the intention of making
temporary use thereof drives away any vehicle, whether propelled
by mechanical power or by any other means, without having either
the consent of the owner thereof or other lawful authority, shall, on
conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six
months or to a fine ( multa ) not less than fifty liri but not exceeding
one hundred liri or to both such imprisonment and fine.
(2) In this article the word "vehicle" shall include a boat, and
the word "drives" shall be construed accordingly.
(3) If on proceedings under this article the court is satisfied
that the accused acted in the reasonable belief, of which the onus of
proof shall lie on the accused, that he had lawful authority or that
the owner would, in the circumstances of the case, have given his
consent if he had been asked therefor, the accused shall not be
liable to be convicted of the offence.
Special procedure 
in certain cases. 
Added by: 
XXXIV.1974.2. 
Amended by: 
XLI.1975.7; 
XV.1981.3; 
XIII. 1983.5;
XXIII. 2000.30.
62. (1) Notwithstanding any other law providing for the trial
and punishment of offences, where any person commits any of the
offences set out in the first column of the Second Schedule to this
Ordinance, the following provisions of this article shall apply.
(2) Any Police officer and, in the case of a motor bus, any
inspector in whose opinion any such offence has been committed
may hand over to the owner or driver of, or affix to the windscreen
of, the motor-car used in the commission of the offence or, where
the offence has been committed by a conductor of a motor bus, may
hand over to the conductor of the motor bus, a notice containing a
general description of the offence and such other information or
requirements as the Minister may prescribe by regulations made
under this sub-article.
(3) Where any notice has been handed over or affixed as is
provided in sub-article (2) the owner, driver, or conductor of the
motor-car, as the case may be, or any other person who accepts
responsibility for the offence referred to in the said notice, may
  22        CAP. 65. h               TRAFFIC REGULATION
within ten days of the notice, call at the place referred to in the
notice, produce all such documents therein referred to and pay the
fine set out in the second column of the said Schedule in respect of
that offence.
Cap. 9.
(4) Where any notice which has been handed over or affixed as
is provided in sub-article (2) is not complied with or the said fine is
not paid within the period referred to in sub-article (3) hereof,
ordinary proceedings may be taken in accordance with the
provisions of this Ordinance and of the Criminal Code in respect of
the offence in question.
(5) Where any such notice is complied with and the said fine is
paid within the said period, no proceedings may be taken in respect
of the offence in question and the payment of such fine shall, for all
intents and purposes, be deemed to be an admission of the
commission of the offence.
(6) Any person who, not being the owner or driver of the motor
car, removes from the windscreen of any motor-car any notice
affixed thereto in accordance with the provisions of sub-article (2)
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable, on conviction, to a
fine ( multa ) of twenty liri.
Right of appeal. 
Added by: 
XL.1977.6. 
Amended by: 
VIII. 1990.3;
XXIII. 2000.30.
Cap. 9.
63. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Criminal Code, the
Attorney General shall always have a right of appeal to the Court of
Criminal Appeal from any judgment given by the Court of
Magistrates in respect of proceedings arising out of the provision of
this Ordinance.
            TRAFFIC REGULATION   g CAP. 65.   23
Added by: 
LIII.1939.41. 
Amended by: 
G.N. 114 of 1940; 
G.N. 578 of 1941; 
XV.1946.3; 
G.N. 18 of 1947. 
Repealed by: 
XXXVII. 1949.2. 
Re-enacted by: 
XXXIV.1974.3. 
Substituted by: 
XLI. 1975.8; 
XXXV.1977.3. 
Amended by: 
XL.1977.7; 
XXVII.1980.3. 
Substituted by: 
XV. 1981.4. 
Amended by: 
XIII. 1983.4.
FIRST SCHEDULE
First Column                                                 Second Column 
     Offence                                                          Punishment  
Driving motor vehicle on 
caterpillar tracks:
First offence .......................... Fine   ( multa )   of   not   less   than
                                                   Lm100 but not exceeding Lm500
    Subsequent offence ................Fine   ( multa )   of   not   less   than
                                                   Lm200 but not exceeding Lm500
                                                  and forfeiture of vehicle 
Added by: 
XV. 1981.4. 
Substituted by: 
VII. 1983.2;
XXXI. 1997.2.
SECOND SCHEDULE                                                                                         
First Column    
Offence
Second  
Column  
Fine  
Lm
Contravening no-entry sign ........................................ 20
Driving at an excessive speed ..................................... 30
Driving   of motor vehicles carrying iron nets or rods
which are not so secured as to prevent damage to
the surface of the road ............................................ 50
Excessive smoke from exhaust pipes .......................... 20
Failure to perform trip by motor bus ........................... 10
Failure to renew driving licence .................................. 15
Failure to renew vehicle licence .................................. 30
Licence not affixed to windscreen ............................... 10
Lights not in accordance with the provisions of the
law ......................................................................... 10
Non-effective silencer ................................................ 30
Non-issue of ticket to passenger showing fare paid or
issue of wrong ticket ............................................... 5
Non-use of tailboard or spillage along the road of
material being carried ............................................. 20
Obstruction ................................................................ 45
Overloading of number of passengers ......................... 5
Parking or waiting or stopping at prohibited place ...... 10
Parking outside garage belonging to person other than
the offender ............................................................ 45
Use of prohibited horn or warning device ................... 5
Use of vehicles for purpose other than licensed ........... 15
