Only in Malta

May someone at the Transport Authority (ADT) illuminate us why, when importing a car from Britain, we are allowed to drive in the UK and the rest of Europe with British registration plates but not in Malta?

Driving recently from the UK to Malta we had no problems except on arrival here, for a change. We have been informed by the ADT that once the car arrives in Malta we are only allowed to drive from the port to our residence. Then, once the registration file is opened at the department, 'special permission' is granted to drive the vehicle from our residence to the ADT department for inspection and to the VRT testing station.

Apparently, not only is driving the vehicle illegal, but if the driver is caught it might be confiscated. This is ridiculous and yet another typical 'only in Malta' regulation, since the car is licensed to be on the road, insured fully comprehensive and MOT-tested.

We Maltese always seem to know better and reinvent the wheel. Once we're at it, why is a British MOT not accepted to register a car locally by the ADT, but only a basic Maltese VRT? Yet another Maltese mystery. I thought we were part of the European Union.