UNTC

STATUS AS AT : 11-10-2024 09:15:46 EDT

CHAPTER XI

TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS

B. Road Traffic

1 . Convention on Road Traffic

Geneva, 19 September 1949

Entry into force

26 March 1952, in accordance with article 29.

Registration

26 March 1952, No. 1671

Status

Signatories : 19. Parties : 102

Text

Certified true copy

United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 125, p. 3.¹ C.N.549.2015.TREATIES-XI.B.1 of 3 November 2015 (Proposal of amendments to articles 8 and 22) and C.N.91.2016.TREATIES-XI.B.1 of 22 March 2016 (Proposal of amendments to articles 8 and 22); C.N.550.2015.TREATIES-XI.B.1 of 3 November 2015 (Proposal of amendments to paragraph 1 of annex 3) and C.N.95.2016.TREATIES-XI.B.1 of 22 March 2016 (Proposal of amendments to paragraph 1 of annex 3);

Note

The Convention was prepared and opened for signature by the United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport held at Geneva from 23 August to 19 September 1949. It was convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations pursuant to resolution 147 B (VII)² of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, adopted on 28 August 1948. The Conference also prepared and opened for signature the Protocol concerning countries or territories at present occupied and the Protocol on Road Signs and Signals and reached certain other decisions which are recorded in the Final Act of the Conference. For the text of the said Final Act, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 125, p. 3.

Participant ^{3, 4, 5, 6}	Signature	Accession(a), Succession(d), Ratification
Albania		1 Oct 1969 a
Algeria		16 May 1963 a
Argentina		25 Nov 1960 a
Australia		7 Dec 1954 a
Austria	19 Sep 1949	2 Nov 1955
Bangladesh		6 Dec 1978 a
Barbados		5 Mar 1971 d
Belgium	19 Sep 1949	23 Apr 1954
Benin		5 Dec 1961 d
Botswana		3 Jan 1967 a
Brunei Darussalam		12 Mar 2020 a
Bulgaria		13 Feb 1963 a
Burkina Faso		31 Aug 2009 a
Cambodia		14 Mar 1956 a
Canada		23 Dec 1965 a
Central African Republic		4 Sep 1962 d
Chile		10 Aug 1960 a
Congo		15 May 1962 a
Côte d'Ivoire		8 Dec 1961 d
Croatia		7 Feb 2020 a
Cuba		1 Oct 1952 a
Cyprus		6 Jul 1962 d
Czech Republic ⁷		2 Jun 1993 d
Democratic Republic of the Congo		6 Mar 1961 d
Denmark	19 Sep 1949	3 Feb 1956
Dominican Republic	19 Sep 1949	15 Aug 1957
Ecuador		26 Sep 1962 a
Egypt	19 Sep 1949	28 May 1957
Estonia		1 Apr 2021 a
Fiji		31 Oct 1972 d
Finland		24 Sep 1958 a
France	19 Sep 1949	15 Sep 1950
Georgia		23 Jul 1993 a
Ghana		6 Jan 1959 a
Greece		1 Jul 1952 a
Guatemala		10 Jan 1962 a
Haiti		12 Feb 1958 a
Holy See		5 Oct 1953 a
Hungary		30 Jul 1962 a
Iceland		22 Jul 1983 a
India	19 Sep 1949	9 Mar 1962
Ireland		31 May 1962 a
Israel	19 Sep 1949	6 Jan 1955
Italy	19 Sep 1949	15 Dec 1952
Jamaica		9 Aug 1963 d
Japan		7 Aug 1964 a
Jordan		14 Jan 1960 a
Kyrgyzstan		22 Mar 1994 a
Lao People's Democratic Republic		6 Mar 1959 a
Lebanon	19 Sep 1949	2 Aug 1963
Lesotho		27 Sep 1973 a
Liechtenstein		2 Mar 2020 a
Lithuania		4 Feb 2019 a
Luxembourg	19 Sep 1949	17 Oct 1952
Madagascar		27 Jun 1962 d
Malawi		17 Feb 1965 d
Malaysia		10 Sep 1958 a
Mali		19 Nov 1962 d
Malta		3 Jan 1966 d
Monaco		3 Aug 1951 a
Montenegro ⁸		23 Oct 2006 d
Morocco		7 Nov 1956 d
Namibia		13 Oct 1993 d
Netherlands (Kingdom of the) ⁹	19 Sep 1949	19 Sep 1952
New Zealand ¹⁰		12 Feb 1958 a
Niger		25 Aug 1961 d
Nigeria		3 Feb 2011 a
Norway	19 Sep 1949	11 Apr 1957
Papua New Guinea		12 Feb 1981 a
Paraguay		18 Oct 1965 a
Peru		9 Jul 1957 a
Philippines	19 Sep 1949	15 Sep 1952
Poland		29 Oct 1958 a
Portugal		28 Dec 1955 a
Republic of Korea ¹¹		14 Jun 1971 d
Romania		26 Jan 1961 a
Russian Federation		17 Aug 1959 a
Rwanda		5 Aug 1964 d
San Marino		19 Mar 1962 a
Senegal		13 Jul 1962 d
Serbia ¹²		12 Mar 2001 d
Sierra Leone		13 Mar 1962 d
Singapore		29 Nov 1972 d
Slovakia ⁷		1 Feb 1993 d
Slovenia		13 Jul 2017 d
South Africa	19 Sep 1949	9 Jul 1952 a
Spain		13 Feb 1958 a
Sri Lanka		26 Jul 1957 a
Sweden	19 Sep 1949	25 Feb 1952
Switzerland	19 Sep 1949
Syrian Arab Republic		11 Dec 1953 a
Thailand		15 Aug 1962 a
Togo		27 Feb 1962 d
Trinidad and Tobago		8 Jul 1964 a
Tunisia		8 Nov 1957 a
Türkiye		17 Jan 1956 a
Uganda		15 Apr 1965 a
United Arab Emirates		10 Jan 2007 a
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland	19 Sep 1949	8 Jul 1957
United States of America	19 Sep 1949	30 Aug 1950
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)		11 May 1962 a
Viet Nam		2 Nov 1953 a
Zimbabwe		1 Dec 1998 d

Declarations and Reservations

(Unless otherwise indicated, the declarations and reservations were made
upon ratification, accession or succession.)

Albania

The Government of the People's Republic of Albania does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 33 of the Convention, which lays down that disputes between Contracting States concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention may be referred to the International Court of Justice by application from one of the parties to the dispute. The Government of the People's Republic of Albania declares, as it has done hitherto, that in each separate case the agreement of all the parties to the dispute is required for the submission of any dispute for arbitration.

Australia

"Excluding, in accordance with article 2, paragraph 1 of this Convention, annexes 1 and 2."

Barbados ¹³

Barbados13

In the notification of succession, the Government of Barbados declared that it wished to maintain the declarations and reservations subject to which the Convention was extended to Barbados by the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and which were the same as those made by that Government in its own instrument of ratification.

Botswana

"Excluding annexes 1 and 2."

Bulgaria ^{14, 15}

Bulgaria14,15

With reservations to the following provisions:

(a) .....

(b) Annex 1 to the Convention on Road Traffic, which pro- vides that cycles fitted with an auxiliary internal combustion en- gine having a maximum cylinder capacity of 50 cm 3 (3.05 cu.in.) shall not be considered as motor vehicles, provided that they retain all the normal characteristics of cycles with respect to their structure.

(c) Section II, paragraph (c) second sentence, of annex 6 to the Convention on Road Traffic, which stipulates: "However, motor cycles with an engine of a maximum cylinder capacity of 50 cm 3 (3.05 cu.in.) may be excluded from this obligation."

Chile

Excluding, in accordance with article 2, paragraph 1 of this Convention, annex 1 from the application of the Convention.

Croatia

Reservation:

“In accordance with Article 2 paragraph 1 of the Convention, the Republic of Croatia excludes Annex 1 from the application of the Convention.”

Cyprus

Reservations:

"(1) In connexion with article 24 of the said Convention, the Government of Cyprus reserve the right not to permit a person to drive a vehicle, other than one brought into and only temporarily in Cyprus, if (i) the vehicle is used for the carriage of persons for hire or reward or for the carriage of goods and (ii) the driver of such vehicle would by the domestic legislation of Cyprus be required to have a special vocational licence.

"(2) In connexion with article 26 of the said Convention, cycles in international traffic admitted to Cyprus shall, from nightfall and during the night or whenever atmospheric conditions render it necessary, show only a white light to the front, and to show to the rear a red light or a red reflex reflector in accord- ance with the domestic legislation of Cyprus."

Declarations:

"(1) In accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1 of ar- ticle 2 of the Convention, the Government of Cyprus excludes annexes 1 and 2 from its application of the Convention.

"(2) In accordance with section IV (b) of annex 6 to the Con- vention, the Government of Cyprus will only permit that one trailer be drawn by a vehicle, it will not permit an articulated ve- hicle to draw a trailer and it will not permit articulated vehicles to be used for transport of passengers for hire or reward."

Czech Republic ⁷

Czech Republic7

Denmark

Subject to a declaration made in accordance with paragraph 1 of article 2 of this Convention, excluding annex 1 from its application of the Convention.

Dominican Republic

[The Dominican Republic declares] excluding, in accordance with article 2, paragraph 1 of this Convention, annexes 1 and 2 from the application of the Convention and renewing the reservation concerning paragraph 2 of article 1 of the Convention already made in plenary meeting.

Estonia

Declaration:

“… in accordance with Article 2, paragraph 1 of the Convention, Estonia excludes annex 1 from its application of the Convention.”

Fiji ¹³

Fiji13

In its notification of succession, the Government of Fiji de- clared that it wished to maintain the declarations and reservations made on behalf of Fiji when the Convention was extended to Fiji by the Government of the United Kingdom on 16 December 1965.

Finland

Excluding, in accordance with article 2, paragraph 1 of this Convention, annex 1.

With reference to annex 6, section IV (b), the Government of Finland declare that they will permit only one trailer to be drawn by a vehicle and that they will not permit an articulate vehicle to draw a trailer.

France

With reference to annex 6, section IV (b), the French Government declares that it will only permit that one trailer be drawn by a vehicle and that it will not permit an articulated vehicle to draw a trailer.

Ghana

Reservations:

"(i) Cycles in international traffic admitted to Ghana shall from nightfall and during the night or whenever atmospheric conditions render it necessary show only a white light to the front and show to the rear a red light, a reflex reflector and a white surface with regard to article 26 of the Convention.

"(ii) In accordance with paragraph 1 of article 2 of this Con- vention, annexes 1 and 2 should be excluded."

Guatemala

Article 33 of the Convention shall apply without prejudice to the provisions of article 149, item 3, of the Constitution of the Republic.

26 September 1962

In accordance with paragraph 1 of article 2 and paragraph IV (b) of Annex 6 of the Convention, respectively, the Government of Guatemala:

1. Excludes annex 1 from its application of the Conven- tion.

2. Will only permit that one trailer be drawn by a vehicle and will not permit articulated vehicles for the transport of pass- engers.

Hungary ^{14, 16}

Hungary14,16

Iceland

Declaration:

"The Government of Iceland excludes, in accordance with article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention, annex 1 from the application of the Convention."

India

"Subject to a declaration made in accordance with paragraph 1 of article 2 of this Convention, excluding annexes 1 and 2 from its application of the Convention."

Ireland

"1. Annexes 1 and 2 are excluded from Ireland's application of the Convention.

"2. In relation to annex 6, the number of trailers drawn by a mechanically propelled vehicle may not exceed that permitted under Irish legislation."

Israel

"Excluding, in accordance with article 2, paragraph 1 of this Convention, annex 1."

Jamaica

"(a) In connexion with article 24 of the said Convention, the Government of Jamaica reserve the right not to permit a person to drive a vehicle, other than one brought into and only temporarily in Jamaica, if (i) the vehicle is used for the carriage of persons for hire or reward or for the carriage of goods and (ii) the driver of such vehicle would, by the domestic legislation of Jamaica, be required to have a special vocational licence.

"(b) In accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1 of ar- ticle 2 of the said Convention, annexes 1 and 2 shall be excluded from Jamaica's application of the Convention.

"(c) In accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of section IV of annex 6 to the said Convention, the Jamaica Gov- ernment will permit only one trailer to be drawn by a vehicle, will not permit an articulated vehicle to draw a trailer and will not permit articulated vehicles to be used for the transport of passengers for hire or reward."

Japan

"Subject to a declaration made in accordance with paragraph 1 of article 2 of this Convention, excluding annex 1 from its application of the Convention."

Liechtenstein

Reservation with regard to Art. 26, lit. b

"The Principality of Liechtenstein reserves the right to only require motorised vehicles to be equipped with an audible warning device."

Declaration with regard to Annex 1

"The Principality of Liechtenstein excludes, in accordance with article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention, annex 1 from the application of the Convention."

Malawi

"Excluding annexes 1 and 2 from the application of the Con- vention."

Malaysia

"Excluding, in accordance with article 2, paragraph 1, of this Convention, annexes 1 and 2."

Malta

"In accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1 of article 2 of the Convention, the Government of Malta excludes annex 1 from its application of the Convention."

Monaco

With reference to annex 6, section IV (b), the Government of the Principality of Monaco indicates that it will permit only one trailer to be drawn by a vehicle and that it will not permit an articulated vehicle to draw a trailer.

Netherlands (Kingdom of the)

Excluding, in accordance with article 2, paragraph 1 of this Convention, annex 2.

New Zealand

"Excluding, in accordance with article 2, paragraph 1, of this Convention, annexes 1 and 2."

Norway

Subject to a declaration made in accordance with paragraph 1 of article 2 of this Convention, excluding annex 1 from its application of the Convention.

Papua New Guinea

"1) Excluding, in accordance with article 2 paragraph 1 of the Convention, annexes 1 and 2.

2) In connection with article 24 of the Convention, the Government of Papua New Guinea reserves the right not to per- mit a person to drive a vehicle, other than one brought into and only temporarily, in Papua New Guinea if:

(i) the vehicle is used for the carriage of persons for hire or reward, and

(ii) the driver of such vehicle would, by the domestic legislation of Papua New Guinea, be required to have a special vocational licence.

3) In accordance with section IV (b) of annex 6 of the Con- vention, the Government of Papua New Guinea will only permit that one trailer be drawn by a vehicle. It will not permit an articulated vehicle to draw a trailer and it will not permit articulated vehicles to be used for transport of passengers for hire or reward."

Philippines

"Subject to a declaration made in accordance with paragraph 1 of article 2 of this Convention, excluding annex 1 from its application of the Convention."

Portugal

In accordance with section IV (b) of annex 6, the Government of Portugal has indicated that it will only permit one trailer to be drawn by a vehicle and that it will not permit an articulated vehicle to draw a trailer, and that it will not permit articulated vehicles for the transport of passengers.

Romania ^{14, 17}

Romania14,17

The Romanian People's Republic does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 33, under which any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention may be referred to the International Court of Justice for decision by application from any of the States concerned. The position of the Romanian People's Republic is that the agreement of all the parties in dispute is required in each case for the submission of any dispute to the International Court of Justice for decision.

Russian Federation ^{14, 18}

Russian Federation14,18

The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 33 of the Convention on Road Traffic, which lays down that disputes between Contracting States concerning the interpretation or ap- plication of this Convention may be referred to the International Court of Justice for decision by application from any of the States concerned, and declares that the agreement of all the States in dispute is required in each separate case for the submission of any dispute to the International Court of Justice for decision.

San Marino

Excluding, in accordance with paragraph 1 of article 2, annex 1.

Senegal

Excluding, in accordance with article 2, paragraph 1 of the Convention, annex 1.

Sierra Leone

Reservations:

"(1) In connexion with article 24 of the said Convention, the Government of Sierra Leone reserve the right not to permit a per son to drive a vehicle, other than one brought into and only tem- porarily in Sierra Leone if (i) the vehicle is used for the carriage of persons for hire or reward, and (ii) the driver of such vehicle would, by the domestic legislation of Sierra Leone, be required to have a special vocational licence.

"(2) In connexion with article 26 of the Convention, cycles in international traffic admitted to Sierra Leone shall, from night fall and during the night or whenever atmospheric conditions render it necessary, show only a white light to the front and show to the rear a red light in accordance with the domestic legislation of the territory."

Declarations:

"(1) In accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1 of ar- ticle 2 of the Convention, the Government of Sierra Leone ex- cludes annexes 1 and 2 from its application of the Convention.

"(2) In accordance with section IV (b) of annex 6 to the Con- vention, the Government of Sierra Leone will only permit that one trailer be drawn by a vehicle, it will not permit an articulated vehicle to draw a trailer and it will not permit articulated vehicles to be used for transport of passenger for hire or reward."

Slovakia ⁷

Slovakia7

South Africa

"Subject to a declaration made in accordance with paragraph 1 of article 2 of this Convention, excluding annexes 1 and 2 from its application of the Convention."

Sweden

"Subject to a declaration made in accordance with paragraph 1 of article 2 of this Convention, excluding annex 1 from its application of the Convention."

Trinidad and Tobago

"Subject to the exclusion of annexes 1 and 2."

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ¹⁹

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland19

The Government of Singapore does not wish to maintain the reservation made by the Government of the United Kingdom at the time of notification of territorial application of the Conven- tion to Singapore.

"Subject to the following reservations:

"(1) In connexion with article 24 of the said Convention, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland reserve the right not to permit a person to drive a vehicle, other than one brought into and only temporarily in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, if (i) the vehicle is used for the carriage of persons for hire or reward or for the carriage of goods and (ii) the driver of such vehicle would, by the domestic legislation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, be required to have a special vocational licence.

"(2) In connexion with article 26 of the said Convention, cycles in international traffic admitted to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, shall, from nightfall and during the night or whenever atmospheric conditions render it necessary, show only a white light to the front, and show to the rear a red light and a red reflex reflector in accordance with the domestic legislation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

"(3) The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland reserve the right, in applying the said Convention to any of the other territories for whose international relations they are responsible, to apply it subject to reservations similar to those set out above.

"Furthermore, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland declare:

"(1) That, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1 of article 2 of the said Convention, they exclude annexes 1 and 2 from their application of the Convention.

"(2) In accordance with section IV (b) of annex 6 to the said Convention, they will only permit that one trailer be drawn by a vehicle, that they will not permit an articulated vehicle to draw a trailer and that they will not permit articulated vehicles to be used for the transport of passengers for hire or reward."

Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) ^{14, 20}

Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)14,20

Article 31:

Amendments to the Convention shall not enter into force with respect to the Republic of Venezuela until the relevant constitutional requirements have been complied with.

Article 33:

The Republic shall be bound by the terms of Article 36 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice. That is to say, no case may be submitted to the International Court of Justice except by agreement between the Parties.

Territorial Application

Participant	Date of receipt of the notification	Territories
Australia	3 May 1961	Papua and Trust Territory of New Guinea
Belgium	23 Apr 1954	Belgian Congo and Trust Territory of Ruanda-Urundi
France	29 Oct 1952	French Protectorates of Morocco and Tunisia, all French Overseas Territories and Togoland and the Cameroons under French Mandate
	19 Jan 1953	Principality of Andorra
Japan ²¹	7 Aug 1964	Okinawa
Netherlands (Kingdom of the) ⁹	19 Jan 1955	Netherlands New Guinea and Suriname
	9 May 1957	Netherlands Antilles
New Zealand ¹⁰	29 Nov 1961	Trust Territory of Western Samoa
Portugal ⁴	19 Jan 1956	All Overseas Provinces-excluding Macau
South Africa	9 Jul 1952	South West Africa
Spain	13 Feb 1958	African localities and provinces
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ^{5, 22, 23, 24}	22 Jan 1958	Isle of Man
	28 May 1958	Guernsey and Bailiwick of Jersey
	27 Aug 1958	British Guiana, British Honduras, Colony of Aden, Cyprus, Gibraltar, Seychelles and Uganda
	25 Mar 1959	Gambia
	13 May 1959	Singapore
	13 May 1959	Mauritius
	20 Nov 1959	Northern Rhodesia, Nyasaland and Southern Rhodesia
	23 Nov 1959	Malta
	8 Feb 1960	Zanzibar
	25 Mar 1960	Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
	22 Apr 1960	Sierra Leone
	22 Apr 1960	North Borneo
	22 Apr 1960	St. Vincent
	27 Sep 1960	Barbados
	12 Jan 1961	Hong Kong
	3 Aug 1961	Bahamas
	14 Jul 1965	Grenada and Swaziland
	16 Dec 1965	Fiji
United States of America	30 Aug 1950	All the territories for the international relations of which the United States of America is responsible

Declarations and Reservations

(Unless otherwise indicated the declarations and reservations were made upon notification of territorial application.)

Netherlands (Kingdom of the) ⁹

Netherlands (Kingdom of the)9

Netherlands New Guinea

Excluding annexes 1 and 2.

Netherlands Antilles

Excluding annexes 1 and 2.

New Zealand

Trust Territory of Western Samoa

"Excluding annexes 1 and 2."

Portugal ⁴

Portugal4

Portuguese Overseas Provinces (excluding Macao)

Subject to the declaration made on accession by the Government of Portugal.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ^{5, 22, 23, 24}

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland5,22,23,24

Isle of Man

The Convention is applied to the Isle of Man subject to declarations and reservations the terms of which are identical to those of the United Kingdom set out under Nos. 1 and 2 above.

Bailiwick of Guernsey

The declarations made by the Insular Authorities of the Bailiwick of Guernsey are identical to those made by the United Kingdom upon signature and on deposit of its instrument of ratification.

Reservations:

"(1) The provisions of the said Convention concerning motor vehicles shall not apply in the Island of Sark, in which Island the use of motor vehicles, except motor tractors for use for certain limited purposes, is prohibited.

"(2) In connexion with article 24 of the said Convention, the Insular Authorities of the Bailiwick of Guernsey reserve the right not to permit a person to drive a vehicle, other than one brought into and only temporarily in the Bailiwick if (i) the vehicle is used for the carriage of persons for hire or reward and (ii) the driver of such vehicle would, by domestic legislation of the Bailiwick, be required to have a special vocational licence.

"(3) In connexion with article 26 of the said Convention, cycles in international traffic admitted to the Bailiwick of Guernsey shall, from nightfall and during the night or whenever atmospheric conditions render it necessary, show only a white light to the front and show to the rear a red reflex reflector, in accordance with the domestic legislation of the Bailiwick."

States of Jersey

The declarations made by the States of Jersey are identical to those made by the United Kingdom upon signature and on deposit of its instrument of ratification.

Reservations:

[Same, mutatis mutandis, as those made for the Bailiwick of Guernsey, under Nos. 2 and 3.]

Aden Colony, British Guiana, and Seychelles

The declarations made by the Governments of Aden Colony, British Guiana and Seychelles are identical to those made by the United Kingdom upon signature and on deposit of its instrument of ratification.

Reservations:

[Same, mutatis mutandis, as those made for the Bailiwick of Guernsey, under Nos. 2 and 3.]

Cyprus

[With the same declarations and reservations as those made on behalf of the Governments of Aden Colony, British Guiana, and Seychelles; see above.]

Gibraltar

The declarations made by the Government of Gibraltar are identical to those made by the United Kingdom upon signature and on deposit of its instrument of ratification.

Reservation:

[Same, mutatis mutandis, as those made for the Bailiwick of Guernsey, under No. 2.]

British Honduras

Reservations:

[Same, mutatis mutandis, as those made for the Bailiwick of Guernsey, under Nos. 2 and 3.]

Uganda

Reservation:

[Same, mutatis mutandis, as those made for the Bailiwick of Guernsey, under No. 2.]

Jamaica

Reservation:

[Same, mutatis mutandis, as those made for the Bailiwick of Guernsey, under No. 2.]

St. Lucia and Trinidad

The declarations made by the Governments of St. Lucia and Trinidad are identical to those made by the United Kingdom upon signature and on deposit of its instrument of ratification.

Reservations:

[Same, mutatis mutandis, as those made for the Bailiwick of Guernsey, under Nos. 2 and 3.]

Mauritius

"In accordancewith the provisions of paragraph 1 of article 2 of the Convention, the Government of Mauritius excludes annex 2 from its application of the Convention.

Reservations:

"(1) In accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of section IV of annex 6, the Government of Mauritius will only permit that one trailer be drawn by a vehicle, will not permit an articulated vehicle to draw a trailer or that articulated vehicles shall be used for the transport of passengers for hire or reward.

"(2) The Government of Mauritius reserves the right not to apply the provisions of paragraph 1 of annex 8 of the said Con- vention whereby the minimum age for driving a motor vehicle under the conditions set out in article 24 of the Convention shall be eighteen years."

Singapore

"In accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1 of article 2 of the Convention, the Government of Singapore excludes annexes 1 and 2 from its application of the Convention."

Malta

"In accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1 of article 2 of the Convention, the Government of Malta excludes annex 1 from its application of the Convention."

Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland

"In accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1 of article 2 of the Convention, the Government of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland exclude annexes 1 and 2 from their application of the Convention."

St. Vincent

The declarations made by the Government of St. Vincent are identical to those made by the United Kingdom upon signature and on deposit of its instrument of ratification.

Reservations:

[Same, mutatis mutandis, as those made for the Bailiwick of Guernsey, under Nos. 2 and 3.]

North Borneo

Reservations:

[Same, mutatis mutandis, as those made for the Bailiwick of Guernsey, under No. 2.]

Sierra Leone

[Same, mutatis mutandis, as those made for St. Vincent.]

Barbados

"The declarations and reservations relating to Barbados are the same as those made by the United Kingdom in its instrument of ratification."

Hong Kong

The declarations made by the Government of Hong Kong are identical to those made by the United Kingdom upon signature and on deposit of its instrument of ratification.

Reservations:

"(1) In connexion with article 26 of the said Convention, cycles in international traffic admitted to the territory shall, from nightfall and during the night or whenever atmospheric condi- tions render it necessary, show only a white light to the front, and show to the rear a red light and a red reflex reflector in accordance with the domestic legislation of Hong Kong.

"(2) In connexion with paragraph (b) of Section II of Annex 6-Lighting, Hong Kong legislation stipulates that every motor vehicle, other than a motor cycle with or without a sidecar, shall be equipped with direction indicators of one of the types described in that paragraph."

Bahamas

"In accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1 of article 2 of the Convention, the Government of the Bahamas exclude annexes 1 and 2 from their application of the Convention."

Swaziland and Grenada

"Subject to the reservations contained in the United Kingdom instrument of ratification."

Fiji

"Subject to the same reservations and declarations made in respect of the United Kingdom on ratification."

Distinguishing Sign of Vehicles in International Traffic (Distinctive letters notified to the Secretary-General)

Aden	ADN
Albania	AL
Alderney	GBA
Algeria	DZ
Andorra	AND
Argentina	RA
Australia	AUS
Austria	A
Bahamas	BS
Bailiwick of Jersey	GBJ
Bangladesh	BD
Barbados ²⁵	BDS
Belgium	B
Benin	DY
Botswana ²⁶	BW
Brazil	BR
British Honduras	BH
Brunei	BRU
Bulgaria	BG
Cambodia ²⁷	KH
Canada	CDN
Central African Republic	RCA
Chile	RCH
China ⁶	RC
Congo	RCB
Costa Rica	CR
Côte d'Ivoire	CI
Croatia	HR
Cyprus	CY
Democratic Republic of the Congo	CGO
Denmark	DK
Dominican Republic	DOM
Ecuador	EC
Egypt ²⁸	EG
Estonia	EST
Faroe Islands ²⁹	FO
Fiji	FJI
Finland	SF
France ³⁰	F
Gambia ²⁵	WAG
Georgia	GE
Ghana	GH
Gibraltar	GBZ
Greece	GR
Grenada	WG
Guatemala	GCA
Guernsey	GBG
Haiti	RH
Holy See	V
Hong Kong ⁵	HK
Hungary	H
Iceland	IS
India	IND
Indonesia	RI
Iran (Islamic Republic of)	IR
Ireland	IRL
Isle of Man	GBM
Israel	IL
Italy	I
Jamaica	JA
Japan	J
Jordan	HKJ
Kenya ²⁵	EAK
Kyrgyzstan ³¹	KG
Lao People's Democratic Republic	LAO
Lebanon	RL
Lesotho ²⁵	LS
Liechtenstein	FL
Lithuania	LT
Luxembourg	L
Madagascar	RM
Malawi	MW
Malaysia	MAL
Mali	RMM
Malta	M
Mauritius ²⁵	MS
Mexico	MEX
Monaco	MC
Morocco	MA
Myanmar	BUR
Namibia	NAM
Netherlands	NL
Netherlands Antilles ⁹	NA
New Zealand	NZ
Nicaragua	NIC
Niger	NIG
Nigeria ²⁵	WAN
Norway	N
Pakistan	PAK
Papua New Guinea	PNG
Paraguay	PY
Peru	PE
Philippines	PI
Poland	PL
Portugal	P
Republic of Korea	ROK
Romania	R
Russian Federation	SU
Rwanda	RWA
Samoa ²⁵	WS
San Marino	RSM
Senegal	SN
Serbia	SRB
Seychelles	SY
Sierra Leone	WAL
Singapore	SGP
Slovakia ⁷	SK
South Africa	ZA
Southern Rhodesia	RSR
Spain ³²	E
Sri Lanka	CL
St. Lucia	WL
St. Vincent	WV
Suriname	SME
Swaziland	SD
Sweden	S
Switzerland	CH
Syrian Arab Republic	SYR
Tanganyika ²⁵	EAT
Thailand	T
Togo	TG
Trinidad and Tobago	TT
Tunisia	TN
Turkey	TR
Uganda	EAU
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ³³	UK
United States of America	USA
Uruguay	U
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)	YV
Zambia ²⁵	RNR
Zanzibar	EAZ
Zimbabwe	ZW

End Note

1Amendments to the Convention were proposed by the Governments of Austria (communicated by circular letter 8 October 1962) and France (communicated by circular letter of 11 March 1964). The proposed amendments were not put into effect since the conditions set forth in article 31 of the Convention were not met.
2Resolutions adopted by the Economic and Social Council, during its seventh session (E/1065), p. 8.
3The Republic of Viet-Nam had acceded to the Convention on 2 November 1953 notifying VN as a distinguishing sign of vehicles in international traffic. See also note 1 under “Viet Nam” in the “Historical Infomration” section in the front matter of this volume.
4On 24 September 1999, the Government of Portugal informed the Secretary-General that the Convention will apply to Macau. In a communication received on 1 November 1999, the Government of Portugal notified the Secretary-General that “...in accordance with the section IV (b) of annex 6 of the Convention, in Macau it will only be permitted one trailer to be drawn by a vehicle and it will not be permitted an articulated vehicle to draw a trailer, and it will not be permitted articulated vehicles for the transport of passengers.” Subsequently, on 9 and 15 December 1999, the Secretary-General received communications regarding the status of Macao from China and Portugal (see also note 3 under “China” and note 1 under “Portgual” in the “Historical Information” section in the front matter of this volume). Upon resuming the exercise of sovereignty over Macao, China notified the Secretary-General that the Convention will also apply to the Macao Special Administrative Region.
5On 6 and 10 June 1997, respectively, Secretary-General received communications regarding the status of Hong Kong from China and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (see also note 2 under “China” and note 2 under “United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland” in the “Historical Information” section in the front matter of this volume). Upon resuming the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, China notified the Secretary-General that the Convention will also apply to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. In addition, the notification made by the Government of China contained the following declaration: 1. In accordance with paragraph 1 of article 2 of the Convention, annexes 1 and 2 to the Convention are excluded from application in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 2. In accordance with section IV (b) of annex 6 to the Convention, in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region an articulated vehicle is neither permitted to draw a trailer nor to be used for the transport of passengers. 3. In connection with article 26 (c) of the Convention cycles in international traffic admitted to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall, from nightfall and during the night or whenever atmospheric conditions render it necessary, show only a white light in front and show to the rear both a red light and a red reflex reflector. 4. In connection with section II of annex 6, in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region every motor vehicle other than a motor cycle with or without a sidecar, shall be equipped with direction indicators of one of the types described in paragraph (1) of section II. 5. The Government of the People's Republic of China has reservation to article 33 of the Convention. 6. The accession by the Taiwan authorities on 27 June 1957 by usurping the name of "China" to the Convention is illegal and therefore null and void.
6Accession on behalf of the Republic of China on 27 June 1957. See note concerning signatures, ratifications, accessions, etc. on behalf of China (note 1 under “China” in the “Historical Information” section in the front matter of this volume). In communications addressed to the Secretary-General, with reference to the above-mentioned accession, communications have been addressed to the Secretary-General by the Governments of Poland, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Yugoslavia stating that, since their Governments did not recognize the Nationalist Chinese authorities as the Government of China, they could not regard the said accession as valid. The Permanent Missions of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics further stated that the sole authorities entitled to act for China and the Chinese people in the United Nations and in international relations, and to sign, ratify, accede or denounce treaties, conventions and agreements on behalf of China, were the Government of the People's Republic of China and its duly appointed representatives. In a note addressed to the Secretary-General, the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations stated that the Government of the Republic of China was the only legal Government which represented China and the Chinese people in international relations and that, therefore, the allegations made in the above-mentioned communica tions as to the lack of validity of the signature or ratification in question had no legal foundation whatever.
7Czechoslovakia had signed and ratified the Convention on 28 December 1949 and 3 November 1950, respectively, choosing the letters "CS" as distinguishing sign and with a reservation. For the text of the reservation, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 125, p. 53. See also note 1 under “Czech Republic” and note 1 under “Slovakia” in the “Historical Information” section in the front matter of this volume. It should also be noted that, upon succession, the Government of Slovakia had selected the distinctive letters "SQ" in application of paragraph 3 of annex 4. Subsequently, on 14 April 1993, the Government of Slovakia notified the Secretary-General that it had replaced those letters by "SK".
8See note 1 under "Montenegro" in the "Historical Information" section in the front matter of this volume.
9See note 1 under “Netherlands” regarding Aruba/Netherlands Antillies in the “Historical Information” section in the front matter of this volume
10See note 1 under “New Zealand” regarding Tokelau in the “Historical Information” section in the front matter of this volume.
11In communications addressed to the Secretary-General with reference to the accession by the Republic of Korea, the Permanent Representatives of the Permanent Missions to the United Nations of Bulgaria, Mongolia and Romania stated that their Governments considered the said accession as null and void since the authorities of South Korea had no right or competence whatsoever to speak on behalf of Korea.
12The former Yugoslavia had signed and ratified the Convention on 19 September 1949 and 8 October 1956, respectively, adopting the letters “YU” as Distinguishing sign of vehicles in International Traffic. See also note 1 under “Bosnia and Herzegovina”, “Croatia”, “former Yugoslavia”, “Slovenia”, “The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” and “Yugoslavia” in the “Historical Information” section in the front matter of this volume.
13See under "Declarations and Reservations made upon notification of territorial application" .
14The Government of the United Kingdom has informed the Secretary-General that it is unable to accept [the reservation to article 33 of the Convention] because in its view it is not of the kind which intending parties to the Convention have the right to make.
15Subsequently, in a notification received on 6 May 1994, the Government of Bulgaria notified the Secretary-General that it had decided to withdraw the reservation made upon accession with regard to article 33. For the text of the reservation, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 453, p. 354.
16In a communication received on 8 December 1989, the Government of Hungary notified the Secretary-General that it had decided to withdraw its reservation to article 33 of the Convention made upon accession. For the text of the reservation see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 434, p. 288.
17The Government of the United States of America has informed the Secretary-General that it has no objection to this reservation, but "considers that it may and hereby states that it will apply this reservation reciprocally with respect to Romania".
18The Government of the United States of America has informed the Secretary-General that it has no objection to this reservation, but "considers that it may and hereby states that it will apply this reservation reciprocally with respect to the Soviet Union". The Governments of Greece and of the Netherlands informed the Secretary-General that they do not consider themselves bound by the provisions to which the reservation is made, as far as the Soviet Union is concerned.
19At the 1949 United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport, the Conference placed on record that there would be no objection to a reservation by the United Kingdom in respect of article 26 of the Convention. In the letter transmitting the instrument of ratification of the Convention, the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom drew the attention of the Secretary-General to the fact that ". . the reservation made in respect of article 26 of the Convention omits the phrase `and a white surface' between the words `a red reflex reflector' and the words `in accordance with the domestic legislation of the United Kingdom,' which were included in the text of the reservation set out in sub-paragraph (d) of paragraph 7 of the Final Act of the United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport, 1949. This omission is occasioned by the fact that the white surface requirement has since been repealed by United Kingdom legislation."
20The Government of the Republic of Viet-Nam had informed the Secretary-General that it objects to the reservation made to article 33 of the Convention. (See also note 1 under “Viet Nam” in the “Historical Information” section in the front matter of this volume.
21In a communication received by the Secretary-General on 12 June 1972, the Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, upon instructions from his Government, made the following statement: "Japan has assumed as of May 15, 1972 full responsibility and authority for the exercise of all and any powers of administration, legislation and jurisdiction over "Okinawa" in accordance with the Agreement between Japan and the United States of America concerning the Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands signed on June 17, 1971. Under the United States administration, all vehicles were required to keep to the right side of the road in Okinawa. Upon reversion of Okinawa to Japan, the Government of Japan began to take the measures, in conformity with Article 9, paragraph 1 of the Convention on Road Traffic, necessary for shifting the side to which vehicles are required to keep in Okinawa from the right to the left so that there shall be uniformity with the rest of Japan. It is estimated that it will take at least three years before the changes may be smoothly carried out." Subsequently, in a communication received on 21 August 1978, the Government of Japan informed the Secretary-General that "the said change was completed as of July 30, 1978, there being now the uniform ity in Okinawa with the rest of Japan in conformity with article 9, paragraph 1 of the said Convention".
22See note 1 under “United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland” in the “Historical Information” section in the front matter of this volume.
23For declarations and reservations made by these territories upon accession or notification of succession after attaining statehood, see under "Declarations and Reservations" .
24In a communication received on 11 May 1971, the Government of the United Kingdom informed the Secretary-General of the follow- ing: "At the time of the notification of the extension of this Convention to Jamaica in 1959, the Cayman Islands were a dependency of Jamaica, and the extension of the Convention to Jamaica therefore extended it automatically to the Cayman Islands. "The Convention continued to apply and still applies to the Cayman Islands, which, when Jamaica became independent remained a territory for whose international relations the United Kingdom is responsible."
25Distinctive letters notified to the Secretary-General, prior to the independence of that country, by the Government responsible for its international relations.
26As from 15 May 2003. Previously: "RB".
27As from 18 November 2009. Previously: "K".
28As from 23 April 2024. Previously "ET".
29From 1 July 1976 to 1 January 1996: "FR".
30Including French overseas territories.
31As from 17 December 2015. Previously: "KS"
32Including African localities and provinces.
33As from 28 September 2021. Previously: "GB". On 28 June 2021, the Secretary-General received from the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in accordance with Article 20 (1) and Annex 4 of the Convention, a notification stating that the United Kingdom is changing the distinguishing sign it had previously selected for display in international traffic on vehicles registered in the United Kingdom, from “GB” to “UK”, and that “this change will apply only to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and will not extend to any territories for the international relations of which the United Kingdom is responsible”. This change will take effect on 28 September 2021, the same date when the change in the distinguishing sign of the United Kingdom under the 1968 Convention on Road Traffic will come into effect.

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