What to Do If Your Car Gets Towed in Malta

In Malta, vehicle towing happens quite frequently — the island has narrow streets, limited parking spaces, and ongoing construction works, which often require temporary road closures. Your car may be towed by LESA (Local Enforcement System Agency) or the police, usually due to illegal parking, blocking a driveway, or parking on double yellow lines or in restricted zones.

Sometimes, however, cars are also towed during temporary road closures — for example, when a local feast takes place, a moving notice is issued, or a crane installation is planned. These restrictions are usually announced on signs attached to walls or lamp posts, but drivers often fail to notice them.

If you find your car missing, don’t panic. In most cases in Malta, such situations end well — the vehicle is stored at a towing yard and can be retrieved after paying the relevant fees.

Steps to Take If Your Car Gets Towed

1. Make sure it’s not stolen

First, confirm that the vehicle was actually towed and not stolen. If you suspect theft, call the police emergency line 112 immediately. The officers will check whether the vehicle has been officially reported as towed.

2. Call LESA or the Police

If towing is likely, contact LESA at +356 2132 0202. The English-speaking operator can confirm whether your car was towed and tell you where it is currently located based on the registration number. Alternatively, you can call the Police Traffic Section at +356 2122 4001, where they can also provide updated information.

3. Check the online list of towed vehicles

The official Police website (Vehicles Towed section) regularly publishes a list of recently towed vehicles. Simply enter your licence plate number to check whether your car is listed. If it is, you’ll also find details about where it has been taken.

4. Find out where the vehicle is stored

The storage location depends on who carried out the towing:

• Police usually move vehicles to the Police Garage in Floriana (Notre Dame Ditch, FRN 1601).
• LESA stores vehicles at the ROC-A-GO yard in Żejtun (Triq tal-Barrani). Don’t be confused by the company name “ROC-A-GO Crane Services Ltd” on Google Maps — it’s the same site. In addition to cranes and heavy equipment, this company manages LESA’s official towing yard.
• On Gozo, all towed vehicles are stored at the Victoria Police Station yard (133 Triq ir-Repubblika, Victoria VCT 1015). Towing is handled by the Malta Police Force, but fines may still be issued through LESA.

All sites are accessible by bus or taxi. It’s best to go as soon as possible, since daily storage fees apply.

5. What to bring with you

When collecting your car, you will need:

• ID card or passport
• vehicle registration document
• authorisation letter if you are not the owner
• cash or a payment card for the fees

Without these documents, the car will not be released. If the owner fails to collect the vehicle and pay all required fees (registration, licence, fines, or taxes) within the set deadline, the car may be auctioned in accordance with Maltese regulations. Unsold vehicles are later scrapped.

Towing Fees and Daily Charges

The towing fee usually ranges between €70 and €100, sometimes more. On top of that comes a daily storage fee (around €15 per day) and a fine for the parking offence itself. The total amount can easily exceed €200. The car will be released only once all payments have been settled.

Registering with the LESA System

Residents or long-term expats in Malta can register with the LESA system on its website.

Once linked to your car’s licence plate, you’ll receive notifications about any offences — and sometimes even an SMS before the vehicle is towed. If a warden identifies an illegally parked car whose owner is registered in the system, they might try to contact the driver before arranging the tow. If you’re not registered, the vehicle will simply be removed without warning.

Temporary No-Parking Permits in Malta

From time to time, you may see signs reading “Temporary No Parking Permit” or “Reserved for Construction Works/Moving” attached to buildings or walls. These are temporary permits issued by the Local Council and valid for a specific period of time. By law, such notices must be displayed at least 48 hours before taking effect. Cars parked in these restricted areas may be towed without prior notice. Always check not only road markings but also any temporary signs and their validity dates on nearby walls or gates.

If You’re Driving a Rental Car

If you’re driving a rental car, the process is slightly different. Maltese car rental companies usually register their vehicles directly with LESA. When a car is towed, the notification goes to the rental company first, which then contacts the customer or deducts the costs from the deposit or credit card.

If your rental car goes missing, don’t call the police right away — contact the rental company first, as they will likely already know about it. Always ask for a payment receipt if you pay the fees yourself to avoid double charges.

Most Common Reasons for Towing

Parking on yellow lines

Double yellow lines indicate a strict no-parking zone.

Blocking driveways or pavements

Technically, cars blocking an entrance or footpath can be towed — although in reality, officers often try to locate the driver first. If you honk or call LESA or the police, they might try to reach the owner via the registration number before towing. They only act quickly when the blockage causes major disruption.

Parking at junctions, bus stops, or pedestrian crossings

Even partial parking in a junction is an offence that may lead to towing. Leaving a car in a bus stop, however, is unfortunately not an uncommon sight in Malta.

Resident and coloured parking zones

Blue, green, and purple parking lines each have their own rules — see my article on Driving in Malta. Without a valid permit or correctly set parking clock inside the windscreen, you risk a fine or towing.

Ignoring temporary restrictions

During feasts, roadworks, or processions, certain streets are temporarily closed. If you leave your car in a marked “tow zone”, it might be removed — though it depends on how much it obstructs the permitted works. I’ve personally seen a case where, during road repairs, the workers simply dug around the parked car. The owner could still walk to it, but not drive it away. It stayed trapped for nearly two weeks.

How to Avoid Getting Towed

• Always check road markings and any temporary notices on walls or lamp posts.
• If unsure, opt for a car park or parking garage — the price is usually lower than a fine.
• Local councils manage temporary permits via localpermits.gov.mt. Access requires login via email or Maltese eID — there’s currently no public search option.
• Check your local council’s Facebook page, where temporary no-parking permits are often posted.

Conclusion: Final Tips and Useful Links

Having your car towed in Malta is unpleasant but manageable. As long as you know who to contact, have the necessary documents, and settle the fees promptly, the process is straightforward. Registering with LESA and paying attention to local signage can also help you avoid this situation altogether.

FAQ – Car Towing in Malta