A new set of guidelines regulating the classification of vintage vehicles will come into effect from 1 September, the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works has announced.

All new applications for vintage status will now require a physical inspection by the Vintage Vehicle Classification Committee. The updated system introduces stricter measures to verify the authenticity, condition, and originality of vehicles, as part of a broader initiative under the government's Reshaping our Mobility plan.

One of the most notable changes includes a new recertification requirement for vehicles between 30 and 49 years old, which will now be subject to inspection every five years. This does not apply to vehicles aged 50 years or older if they are accompanied by a valid certificate from the Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA), an international authority on historic vehicles.

The updated system aims to enhance the credibility and prestige of vintage classification, addressing long-standing concerns within the vintage community. Previously, applications were often assessed based on photographs and documents alone, which officials acknowledged left room for misuse and lowered standards.

Transport Minister Chris Bonett said the new guidelines emerged from months of consultation with stakeholders, including the Federazzjoni Maltija Vetturi Antiki (FMVA), which has voiced its full support for the changes.

"The Maltese love for classic vehicles is great, and it is our duty to protect this sector," Minister Bonett said. "The conservation of these cars and motorcycles, for many, is not just a matter of nostalgia but a part of their lives and a tangible way of protecting a heritage that should be appreciated and passed on to future generations."

Bonett noted that the growing size of the vintage vehicle community had created a need for more robust and standardised regulations. "There was consensus from both the public and the owners themselves that vintage status should be truly prestigious and reserved for those vehicles that are truly well cared for," he added.

The reforms are designed not only to preserve the integrity of Malta's vintage vehicle sector but also to deter abuse of the system. In recent years, there have been concerns that some individuals were obtaining vintage plates for vehicles that did not meet accepted standards, reducing the value of genuine collectors' efforts.

Gilbert Agius, Chief Officer for Land Transport at Transport Malta, said the changes are a necessary step towards ensuring fairness in the sector. "These guidelines are intended to protect genuine owners from those who in the past have tried to abuse the system and reduce the value of their effort," he said. "In this way, every vintage number plate on our roads will become a credible certificate of the work and passion of the owners on their cars."