Road Transport Regulations

This is the latest version of this Statutory Instrument.
Jurisdiction
Seychelles
Citation
Statutory Instrument 6 of 1958
Primary work
Road Transport Act
Date
1 August 2016
Language
English
Type
Legislation
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Related documents
Seychelles
Road Transport Act

Road Transport Regulations

Statutory Instrument 6 of 1958

  • Commenced on 23 January 1950
  • [This is the version of this document at 1 August 2016.]
  1. [Amended by Road Transport (Amendment) Regulations, 2016 (Statutory Instrument 36 of 2016) on 13 June 2016]
[GG 23/1/1950; 30/1/1950; 10/7/1950; 24/7/1950; P 16 of 1952; 93 of 1956; GN 78 of 1951; 94 of 1951, 86 of 1952; SI 6 of 1958; 4 of 1960; 15 of 1960; 61 of 1960; 54 of 1962; 8 of 1963; 65 of 1964; 21 of 1965; 40 of 1965; 28 of 1967; 39 of 1967; 49 of 1967; 58 of 1968; 3 of 1970; 6 of 1970; 81 of 1972; 77 of 1973; 76 of 1974; 102 of 1974; 13 of 1975; 95 of 1975; 104 of 1975; 109 of 1975; 110 of 1975; 93 of 1976; 104 of 1976; 53 of 1977; 7 of 1978; 39 of 1978; 40 of 1978; 47 of 1978; 65 of 1978; 103 of 1978; 77 of 1980; 62 of 1981; 5 of 1982; 15 of 1982; 41 of 1982; 39 of 1984; 71 of 1984; 38 of 1987; 13 of 1988; 44 of 1988; 32 of 1989; 9 of 1990; 16 of 1990; 71 of 1991; 64 of 1994; 53 of 1996; 74 of 1997; 38 of 1998; 4 of 1999; 18 of 1999; 24 of 1999; 10 of 2000; 9 of 2002; 41 of 2013; 122 of 2014; 8 of 2016; 36 of 2016][Note: The section headings before regulations 7 and 17 appear to have been mistakenly inserted in the 1991 Ed. and may have originally formed part of the regulation headings for regulations 6 and 16.]

Part 1 – Preliminary

1. Citation

These regulations may be cited as the Road Transport Regulations.

2. Definitions

In these regulations unless the context otherwise requires—“bicycle” means a two wheeled vehicle used for conveyance of persons on any road and includes a tandem but does not include a motor cycle or a rickshaw;[inserted by regulation 2(a) of SI 74 of 1997 w.e.f. 24 November 1997]“cart or carriage” means a vehicle drawn by an animal or a person;“commercial vehicle” means a vehicle used or intended to be used for the conveyance of goods, either for hire or in connection with the trade or business of the owner of the vehicle but shall not include any vehicle which is intended to be used for the conveyance of goods and which has subsequently been adapted, altered, modified or changed for use as a passenger vehicle; and“omnibus” means a public or private omnibus;“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made under the Act;“public service vehicle” means a taxi, a commercial vehicle and an omnibus;[inserted by regulation 2(a)(i) of SI 24 of 1999 w.e.f. 14 June 1999]“public vehicle” shall not include any motor vehicle which is given on hire or for reward by or on behalf of the owner thereof to any person for use by that person on condition that such motor vehicle be driven by or under the authority of that person;“rider” means a person engaged in the riding of a bicycle or a tricycle and, where a separate person acts as steersman of a bicycle includes that person and the word “ride” shall be construed accordingly;[inserted by regulation 2(a) of SI 74 of 1997 w.e.f. 24 November 1997]“special purpose vehicle” means a vehicle used for a specific purpose other than for transportation of passengers or the conveyance of goods, and includes a tractor, dumper, trailer and excavator;[inserted by regulation 2(a)(ii) of SI 24 of 1999 w.e.f. 14 June 1999]“tandem” means a bicycle with two sets of pedals and two saddles arranged one behind the other for two riders;[inserted by regulation 2(a) of SI 74 of 1997 w.e.f. 24 November 1997]“trailer” means any vehicle which has no independent motive power of its own and which is attached to and drawn by a motor-vehicle but does not include any part of an articulated vehicle or any side-car attached to a motor-vehicle;“tricycle” means a three wheeled vehicle used for the conveyances of persons or goods on any road;[inserted by regulation 2(a) of SI 74 of 1997 w.e.f. 24 November 1997]“segway” means a two wheeled, self-balancing, electrically powered vehicle.[inserted by regulation 2(a) of SI 41 of 2013 w.e.f. 6 May 2013]

Part 2 – Equipment and condition of vehicles

3. Warning appliances

(1)Every motor vehicle shall carry an effective horn, or such appliance for giving audible warning as may be approved by the Road Transport Commissioner, having regard to the provisions of paragraph (4).[regulation 3(1) amended by regulation 2(a)(i) of SI 10 of 2000 w.e.f. 21 February 2000]
(2)To every bicycle, tricycle and rickshaw there shall be affixed an effective bell or horn for giving audible warning.[regulation 3(2) amended by regulation 2(b) of SI 74 of 1997 w.e.f. 24 November 1997]
(3)Except where necessary on the grounds of safety no person shall on any road sound any warning appliance on a stationary vehicle.
(3)
(a)A steering system with a steering wheel that is 380mm in diameter should be so constructed as to allow free play for the steering wheel in accordance with this regulation.
(i)Where there are several joints between the steering wheel and the rack there should be movement up to 48mm.
(ii)On a rack and pinion steering system free play must not exceed 13mm and on a non-rack and pinion steering system free play must not exceed 75mm.
[Please note: numbering as in original.]
(4)
(a)The sound of a single horn, or several horns operating simultaneously, of a motor vehicle shall not be below 90 db or above 115 db, and such sound shall not vary in continuity, sound level or tone quality.
(b)A siren or bell may be allowed as a substitute for a horn only in the case of a fire engine, an ambulance, police vehicle or a highway patrol vehicle.
[regulation 3(4) inserted by regulation 2(a)(ii) of SI 10 of 2000 w.e.f. 21 February 2000]

4. Prevention of damage to road

Every vehicle moving on any road shall have its wheels properly aligned so that their rolling motion is truly conveyed to the road. No vehicle with a defective wheel, tyre, wheel hub or axle, or with any other defect which allows the wheel or tyre to damage the road, shall be used on any road.

5. Dimensions of vehicles

(1)No person shall without the written permission of the Minister cause or permit any vehicle to be used on any road or shall drive or have charge of such vehicle when so used, unless the following conditions are complied with—
(a)The extreme width including the mudguards shall not exceed 2.3 metres.
(b)The maximum height loaded, or unloaded, measured from the surface of the road, shall not exceed 2.9 metres and shall in no case be greater than twice the distance between the rear wheels measured from the centre of the tyres.
(c)The length measured between the extreme projecting points of the vehicle shall not exceed seven metres.
(d)The overhang behind the rear axle shall not exceed seven twenty-fourths of the extreme length.
(e)The tare weight shall not exceed 3300 kilogrammes.
(2)The weight to be prescribed under subsection (1) of section 3 of the Act shall be as follows—
(i)when the vehicle is imported without body 2800 kilogrammes.
(ii)when the vehicle is imported with the body 3300 kilogrammes.

6. Motor engine

The engine of a motor vehicle shall be so designed and maintained as to prevent serious inconvenience to other persons using the road and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing as to—
(a)comply with the standard specification for automative vehicle emissions established from time to time by the Seychelles Bureau of Standard for that motor vehicle;
(b)prevent emission of foul smelling or harmful gases and excessive smoke;
(c)prevent danger of fire and explosion;
(d)work in an efficient manner.
(3)The Road Transport Commissioner may cause the fuel injection equipment of every vehicle fitted with a diesel engine to be sealed so as to prevent the tampering with or alteration of such equipment.[Please note: numbering as in original.][regulation 6(3) inserted by regulation 2(a) of SI 9 of 2002 w.e.f. 18 March 2002]
(4)It shall be an offence to wilfully break or remove a seal of a vehicle sealed under subregulation (3) without an authorisation under subregulation (5).[regulation 6(4) inserted by regulation 2(a) of SI 9 of 2002 w.e.f. 18 March 2002]
(5)A person may, upon application on a form provided by the Road Transport Commissioner, be authorised by the Commissioner to remove a seal of a vehicle referred to in subregulation (4) for the purpose of adjusting its fuel injection equipment[regulation 6 repealed and substituted by regulation 2(a) of SI 53 of 1996 w.e.f. 15 July 1996; regulation 6(5) inserted by regulation 2(a) of SI 9 of 2002 w.e.f. 18 March 2002][Note: subregulations (3), (4) and (5) have been inserted by regulation 2(a) of SI 9 of 2002, with stipulation to insert them after subregulation (2). However, there was no existing subregulation (2). This SI further says that the amendment is being done to regulation 6, as amended by SI 10 of 2000, but even that SI had not incorporated subregulation (2).]

Emission of smoke

7. Suppression of ignition system

The ignition system of every motor vehicle shall be electrically suppressed against causing radio interference.

8. Exhaust silencers

Every vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine shall be fitted with an effective silencer.

9. Driving mirror

(1)No person shall drive any motor vehicle (except a motor bicycle alone or in combination) unless it is equipped with a mirror giving him a clear view of all following traffic.[regulation 9 renumbered as regulation 9(1) by regulation 2(b) of SI 10 of 2000 w.e.f. 21 February 2000]
(2)This regulation shall be deemed to be complied with in the case of a bus or a goods vehicle the gross weight of which exceeds 3500 kg (not being an agricultural vehicle) if—
(a)one mirror is fitted externally on the offside of the vehicle;
(b)one mirror is fitted internally giving the driver a view of the rear of the vehicle;
(c)one mirror is fitted externally on the near side of the vehicle together with a mirror fitted internally giving the driver a view of the rear of the vehicle;
(d)in the case of a bus or minibus the driver is able to see the area immediately inside and outside every service door of the bus or minibus.
[regulation 9(2) inserted by regulation 2(b) of SI 10 of 2000 w.e.f. 21 February 2000]

10. Steering and controls

(1)No vehicle shall be used on any road unless it is equipped with an effective steering apparatus which will allow it to be turned readily and with certainty.
(2)No motor vehicle shall be used unless the steering and other controls are so arranged that the driver can manipulate them with certainty while retaining a clear view of the road.
(3)
(a)A steering system with a steering wheel that is 380mm in diameter should be so constructed as to allow free play for the steering wheel in accordance with the regulation.
(b)When there are several joints between the steering wheel and the rack there should be movement up to 48mm.
(c)On a rack and pinion steering system free play must not exceed 13 mm and on a non-rack and pinion steering system free play must not exceed 75 mm.
[regulation 10(3) inserted by regulation 2(c) of SI 10 of 2000 w.e.f. 21 February 2000]

11. Brakes

(1)Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with two entirely independent braking systems, or with one efficient braking system having two independent means of operation, in each case so designed and constructed that the failure of any single portion of any braking system shall not prevent the brakes on two wheels, or, in the case of a vehicle having less than four wheels, on one wheel, from operating effectively so as to bring the vehicle to rest within a reasonable distance:Provided that in the case of a single braking system, the two means of operation shall not be deemed to be otherwise than independent solely by reason of the fact that they are connected either directly or indirectly to the same cross shaft.
(2)Where, in the case of a single braking system, the means of operation are connected directly or indirectly to the same cross shaft, the brakes applied by one of such means shall act on all of the wheels of the motor vehicle directly and not through the transmission gear.
(3)In all cases the brakes operated by one of the means of operation shall direct mechanical action without the intervention of any hydraulic, electric or pneumatic device.
(4)In all cases the brakes operated by one of the means of operation shall act directly upon the wheels and not through the transmission gear.
(5)All brakes prescribed by these regulations shall at all times while the motor vehicle or trailer is used on a road be maintained in good and efficient working order and shall be properly adjusted and without prejudice to the foregoing the braking efficiency of a motor vehicle of a class specified in column 1 shall be such that when the percentage brake force specified for the class of vehicles as a corresponding entry in column 2 is applied in respect of the unladen vehicle, the vehicle does not have an imbalance of more than 25% on steered roadwheels of the vehicle—
Column 1Column 2
motor vehicle, other than a motor cycle, bicycle, tricycle, or tracked motor vehicle50%
motor cycle30%
trailer45%
[regulation 11(5) amended by regulation 2(b) of SI 53 of 1996 w.e.f. 15 July 1996]
(6)Every trailer shall be fitted with sufficient brakes to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Police:Provided that this regulation shall not apply in the case of two wheeled trailers not constructed with brakes which were in use in Seychelles prior to the commencement of these regulations.
(7)Every bicycle or tricycle shall be equipped with a safe and efficient brake.[regulation 11(7) amended by regulation 2(c) of SI 74 of 1997 w.e.f. 24 November 1997]

12. Wheels and tyres

(1)Except with the special permission of the Minister in each case, no motor vehicle, trailer, bicycle or tricycle shall be used on any road unless all its wheels are fitted with pneumatic tyres, not being recut pneumatic tyres.[regulation 12(1) amended by regulation 2(d) of SI 74 of 1997 w.e.f. 24 November 1997]
(2)Effective mud-guards shall be provided on all vehicles.
(3)In this regulation—“pneumatic tyre” means a tyre which complies in all respects with the following requirements—
(i)it shall be provided with, or together with the wheel upon which it is mounted shall form, a continuous closed chamber inflated to a pressure substantially exceeding atmospheric pressure when the tyre is in the condition in which it is normally used, but is not subjected to any load;
(ii)it shall be capable of being inflated and deflated without removal from the wheel or vehicle;
“recut pneumatic tyre” means any pneumatic tyre in which an existing tread pattern has been cut or burnt deeper or a new tread pattern has been cut or burnt except where the pattern has been cut or burnt entirely in additional material added for the purpose.

13. Condition and maintenance of tyres

(1)No person shall use or cause or permit to be used on road any motor vehicle or trailer having a wheel fitted with a pneumatic tyre, if—
(a)the tyre is unsuitable having regard to the use to which the motor vehicle or trailer is being put or to the types of tyres fitted to its other wheels;
(b)the tyre is not so inflated as to make it fit for the use to which the motor vehicle or trailer is being put;
(c)the tyre has—
(i)any break in its fabric; or
(ii)a cut exceeding the greater of 25 millimetres or 10 percent of the section width of the tyre, measured in any direction on the outside of the tyre and deep enough to reach the body cords;
(d)the tyre has any lump or bulge caused by a separation or partial failure of its structure;
(e)the tyre has any portion of the ply or cord structure exposed; or
(f)the tread pattern of the tyre does not have a depth of at least one millimetre throughout at least three quarters of the breadth of the tread and round the entire outer circumference of the tyre.
(2)Without prejudice to sub-regulation (1), no person shall use or cause or permit to be used on a road a motor vehicle or trailer unless its tyres are maintained in such condition—
(a)as to be fit for the use to which it is being put; and
(b)as to be free from any defect which might in any way cause—
(i)damage to the surface of the road; or
(ii)danger to persons on or in the vehicle or trailer or other persons using the way.
(3)For the purposes of sub-regulation (1)(a)—
(a)a pneumatic tyre is deemed to be unsuitable having regard to the types of tyres fitted to the other wheels of the motor vehicle or trailer if, except with the express written permission of the Commissioner of Police, it is a tyre of a different type of structure to any of the tyres fitted to those wheels; and
(b)a bias-belted tyre, a diagonal-ply tyre and a radial-ply tyre is each deemed to be a tyre of a different type of structure from one another.
(4)[regulation 13(4) repealed by regulation 2(c) of SI 53 of 1996 w.e.f. 15 July 1996]

14. Windscreens and windows of motor vehicles to be clear

(1)Subject to subregulations (3) and (5), the windscreen and windows and windows of a motor vehicle shall be such as to—
(a)permit the driver of the vehicle, when looking through the windscreen or windows, to obtain a clear view of the outside; and
(b)permit a person outside the vehicle, when looking through the windscreen or windows, to identify the driver of the vehicle.
(2)No device, paint, tint, notice or any other thing which—
(a)may impair the view of the driver of a motor vehicle; or
(b)prevent a person outside the vehicle from identifying the driver of a vehicle,
shall be affixed, applied or placed on, along or across the windscreen and windows of the motor vehicle.
(3)Subregulations (1)(b) and (2)(b) shall not apply to the rear window of a motor vehicle.
(4)A person shall not, except with the written permission of the Commissioner of Police, drive or be in charge of a motor vehicle on a road unless the vehicle is equipped with a windscreen and windows as provided in subregulations (1) and (2).
(5)The Commissioner of Police may, for reasons which he believes to be exceptional, exempt a motor vehicle from the requirements of subregulations (1) and (2).
(6)Regulation 80(a) shall not apply to a driver, or a person in charge, of a motor vehicle which has been exempted under subregulation (5).

15. Safety glass

The glass of any windscreen and windows facing to the front on the outside of any motor vehicle shall be of a type which, upon impact, does not fly into fragments capable of causing severe cuts.

16. Windscreen wipers

(1)An efficient windscreen wiper shall be fitted to every motor vehicle (except a bicycle propelled by mechanical power alone or in combination) which is so constructed that the driver cannot, by opening the windscreen or otherwise, obtain an adequate view to the front of the vehicle without looking through the windscreen.
(2)All glass or transparency fitted to motor vehicles shall be maintained in such condition that it does not obscure the vision of the driver while driving on the road.

Clear view

17. Types of direction indicator

(1)When a motor vehicle is equipped with direction indicators, such indicators shall be of one of the following types—
(a)a movable arm capable of protruding beyond each side of the vehicle and illuminated by a steady amber light when the arm is in the horizontal position;
(b)a constantly blinking or flashing amber light affixed to each side of the vehicle;
(c)a constantly blinking or flashing light placed at each side of the front and rear of the vehicle; the colour of such lights shall be white or orange towards the front and red or orange towards the rear.
(2)In the case of any motor vehicle registered under section 9 of the Act on or after the 1st September 1975, paragraph (a) of subregulation (1) shall not apply and paragraph (c) thereof shall have effect as if there were substituted for the words “white or orange towards the front and red or orange towards the rear” the words “amber towards the front and amber towards the rear”.
[Note: The section headings before regulations 7 and 17 appear to have been mistakenly inserted in the 1991 Ed. and may have originally formed part of the regulation headings for regulations 6 and 16.]

18. Commercial vehicles: Passengers

(1)No passengers shall be carried for reward within or upon a commercial motor vehicle except persons employed by the owner of the vehicle or a person who has hired the vehicle for the purpose of loading or unloading the vehicle, or as the servants of such person, except with the express permission of the licensing authority, which shall be endorsed on the licence of the vehicle.
(2)No person shall in any commercial vehicle sit or be permitted to sit or be upon any goods or luggage at a greater height than 0. 9 metres above the floor of the vehicle.

19. Drivers and conductors to be licenced

(1)A person shall not drive or act as a conductor or be permitted to drive or act as a conductor of an omnibus on a road unless he is licenced for the purpose as hereunder provided.
(2)A person shall be disqualified from obtaining a licence to drive or act as a conductor of an omnibus unless he is, in the case of a licence to drive, over the age of 24 years and, in the case of a licence to act as a conductor, over the age of 16 years.
(3)Application for a driver‘s or a conductor‘s licence under this regulation shall be made to the licensing authority.
(4)When application for a licence has been made, the licensing authority if satisfied, in the case of a driver, that the applicant is the holder of a valid driving licence and is not otherwise disqualified, and, in the case of a conductor, that the applicant is a fit and proper person and is not disqualified under paragraph (2) of this regulation, shall issue such licence.
(5)A licence to drive or a licence to act as a conductor of an omnibus shall be valid for one year from the date of issue unless it is previously cancelled, suspended or revoked by the licensing authority.
(6)This regulation shall not apply when no passengers are being carried by an omnibus for hire or reward.

20. Disinfection of vehicles

The driver and owner of every vehicle who knows that the said vehicle has conveyed any person suffering from an infectious disease shall immediately report the fact to the Chief Medical Officer and shall arrange with him for the vehicle to be disinfected. No leper shall enter any vehicle for hire.

21. All parts of public vehicles to be maintained in good order

All doors, windscreens, seats, handles, hinges, catches, springs, wheels, cushions, lining, trimmings, and other fittings, and all furniture and appointments of public vehicles, shall be maintained in good order and repair.

22. Trailers

Application for permission to use a trailer attached to a motor vehicle shall be made to the Commissioner of Police.

22A.

A person who—
(a)modifies the exhaust system and muffler of his motor vehicle or otherwise modifies his motor vehicle contrary to these regulations or manufacturer‘s specification; and
(b)drives a motor vehicle with a defective silencer,
commits an offence and is liable to a fine under the Minor Offences (Fixed Penalties) Decree.[regulation 22A inserted by regulation 2(b) of SI 41 of 2013 w.e.f. 6 May 2013]

Part 3 – Load of vehicles

23. Dimensions of loads

No person shall drive and no person shall cause or allow to be driven in any public place any motor vehicle which is loaded in a manner likely to cause damage to any person, or so that the load of any part thereof is projecting—
(a)laterally, beyond the side of the body;
(b)to the front beyond the foremost part of the vehicle;
(c)without the special permission of the Commissioner of Police to the rear to a distance exceeding 1.8 metres beyond the rearmost part of the vehicle excluding the tailboard.

24. Projecting loads

When anything is carried beyond the rearmost part of a vehicle a white flag of not less than 0.4 metres square shall be attached by day; and at night, a lamp in addition to the prescribed lamps on the vehicle, so arranged as to show a red light to the rear.

25. Loads not to touch road

No portion of any load shall come into contact with the surface of the road.

26. Maximum weight of load

(1)No commercial vehicle shall carry a load exceeding of 1550 kilogrammes, or any load exceeding that for which it has been designed by the makers, whichever is the less:Provided that in the case of any vehicle which, notwithstanding that its weight is in excess of that prescribed by law, has, with the permission of the Minister, been imported into Seychelles, the licensing authority may authorise such vehicle to carry a load in excess of 1550 kilogrammes but not exceeding that for which it has been designed by the makers.
(2)The weight for the load which a commercial vehicle is licenced to carry shall be endorsed in the licence by the licensing authority.

27. Overall permitted weight

No motor vehicle shall have a maximum weight laden or unladen exceeding 10200 kilogrammes:Provided that in the case of any vehicle imported into Seychelles and having a maximum weight laden or unladen exceeding 10,200 kilogrammes the overall permitted weight of such vehicle shall be such weight as the Minister shall stipulate when granting permission to import the vehicle or the weight for which it has been designed by the makers, whichever is the less.

27A. Maximum axle load

(1)The maximum axle load, being the weight transmitted by a single axle, of a motor vehicle shall be 10,000 kilogrammes.
(2)A police officer or a person authorised by the Commissioner of Police in that behalf on production of that person‘s authority, may require a person in charge of a motor vehicle to allow the vehicle to be weighed for the purpose of ensuring compliance with this regulation.
(3)If a person in charge of a motor vehicle refuses or neglects to comply with such requirement or obstructs the police officer or the person authorised in the exercise of their functions, the person in charge of the motor vehicle shall be guilty of an offence.[regulation 27A inserted by regulation 2 of SI 38 of 1998 w.e.f. 3 August 1998]

Part 4 – Lighting

28. Lighting-up time

(1)Every vehicle on a road at night shall be lighted in accordance with these regulations or the Road Transport (Lighting of Standing Vehicles) (Exemption) Regulations, where under regulation 3 of the last mentioned regulations motor vehicles are allowed to be parked without lights.
(2)In these regulations “night” means the interval between 6.30 o‘clock in the evening and 5.45 o‘clock in the morning of the next succeeding day.

29. Carts and carriages

Carts and carriages shall carry one white light in front of the off side.

30. Bicycles and tricycles

[Amended by regulation 2(e)(ii) of SI 74 of 1997 w.e.f. 24 November 1997]Bicycles or tricycles when in motion on a road at night shall show a white light fixed in front and have an efficient red reflector fixed at the rear.[regulation 30 amended by regulation 2(e)(i) of SI 74 of 1997 w.e.f. 24 November 1997]

31. Motor vehicles

(1)A motor vehicle shall carry lamps at the front of the vehicle one on each side; and when a motor vehicle is in motion on a road at night the two lamps at the front of the vehicle shall be lighted and the rays from the lamps shall be white or yellow, and, shall be of such intensity as to illuminate the road ahead for a distance at least 45 metres.
(2)A motor vehicle and a trailer not attached to a motor vehicle shall, when stationary on a road at night carry two lamps in front one at each side, showing a white light of sufficient intensity to indicate the presence of the motor vehicle or trailer from a distance of nine metres to approaching traffic.
(3)A motor vehicle or trailer, when on road at night, and whether in motion or stationary, shall carry two lamps at the rear showing a red light of such intensity as to indicate clearly its presence on the road from a distance of nine metres to traffic approaching from behind and shall have an uncoloured light to illuminate clearly the letters and figures on the rear number plate unless other means of illuminating such plate are otherwise provided:Provided that where a trailer is attached to a tractor vehicle it shall be sufficient if such light shows at the rear of the trailer only.
(4)All lamps required by paragraph (1) of this regulation shall be equipped with a means of eliminating any dazzling effect produced by such lamps, but such elimination shall in every case leave sufficient light to illuminate clearly the road ahead for at least 23 metres. Such elimination shall be effected on the approach from the opposite direction of another vehicle, or where in the interests of safety it is necessary.
(5)In this regulation—“motor vehicle” shall not include a bicycle propelled by mechanical power alone or in combination.

32. Bicycles propelled by mechanical power and combination

(1)The provisions of paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) of regulation 31 shall apply to a bicycle propelled by mechanical power, except that such vehicle need carry only one such lamp at the front and at the rear of the vehicle.
(2)If a side-car is attached to a bicycle propelled by mechanical power there shall be shown, when such vehicle is in motion or stationary on a road at night, at the front on that side of the attachment not adjacent to the cycle an additional light of sufficient intensity as to be visible from a distance of 45 metres.

33. Headlamps

(1)In this regulation—“headlamp” means a lamp placed on a motor vehicle which is used to illuminate the road ahead of the vehicle;“matched pair of head-lamps” means a pair of headlamps both of which emit light of substantially the same colour and intensity and are both of the same size and shape so that they are symmetrical to each other;“motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle other than a bicycle, tricycle or motor bicycle or motor tricycle.
(2)A motor vehicle shall be equipped with a matched pair of headlamps at the front of the vehicle and the lamps—
(a)shall be so placed as to indicate the width of the vehicle;
(b)shall be fitted with main-beam and dipped-beam functions;
(c)shall be so designed—
(i)that its main-beams are switched off by one switch (dip switch) and when so switched off leave a matched pair of dipped-beam head-lamps switched on; or
(ii)the main-beam head-lamp reflectors are deflected by the driver‘s control to make them a matched pair of dipped-beam headlamps;
(d)shall be so designed that the aims of the headlamps do not dazzle or unduly inconvenience oncoming users of the road.
[regulation 33 repealed and substituted by regulation 2(d) of SI 53 of 1996 w.e.f. 15 July 1996]

33A. Other requirements of headlamps

(1)The headlamp of a motor vehicle—
(a)shall not be so coloured or protected as to affect the intensity or distribution of light;
(b)shall together emit sufficient light to enable the driver to see the road ahead up to a distance of 100m;
(c)shall have a maximum light intensity of 15000 cd per lamp but in the case of a four unit type of headlamp where the main driving beam and sub-driving beam do not go on at the same time the maximum light intensity of the sub-driving beam shall be 12000 cd per lamp;
(d)shall be so constructed as to permit dimming or dipping of the beam of light and the dimmed or dipped light should enable the driver to see the road ahead upon a distance of 40m;
(e)shall be so constructed that the beam of the headlamp while being directed to the course of the motor vehicle is deviated downwards by means of an adjusting device and the downward deviation is within one fifth of the headlamp mounting height at 10m in front of the motor vehicle, and the deviation of the main photo metric axis to the right left at a distance of 10m in front of the motor vehicle does not exceed 20cm and the rightward deviation of a headlamp mounted on the right does not exceed 10cm;
(f)shall emit a light that is white or light yellow in colour;
(g)shall be mounted at a height of not more than 1.2m above the ground symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
(2)Auxiliary headlamps, being headlamps which may be mounted after the motor vehicle is manufactured, shall conform to the following requirements—
(a)three or more headlamps shall not be capable of being lighted simultaneously;
(b)the intensity of the light per headlamp shall not exceed 10000 cd;
(c)an auxiliary headlamp the light beam of which could strike the road at a distance of not less than 40m from the vehicle shall be so wired that it would go off every time that the headlamps are dimmed or dipped;
(d)the photometric axis of an auxiliary headlamp shall be directed downward and shall not be directed to the right side of the motor vehicle;
(e)the colour of light of an auxiliary headlamp shall be either white or light yellow;
(f)the position of auxiliary headlamps must always be at a lower level than that of other headlamps.
[regulation 33A inserted by regulation 2(d) of SI 10 of 2000 w.e.f. 21 February 2000]

Part 5 – Vehicle licensing and registration

34. Vehicles to be registered and licenced

(1)No person shall cause or permit any vehicle, including a trailer but except a rickshaw, to be used on any road, unless the vehicle is duly registered and licenced, and the driver is licenced to drive.
(2)Where a vehicle has been licenced and the licence has expired the conditions and endorsements on the immediately previous expired licence shall, for the purposes of regulation 81(g) of these regulations, be deemed to apply to any use of the vehicle prior to the issue of a new licence.
(3)Nothing in subregulation (2) of this regulation shall be deemed to relieve any person from liability for failure to comply with paragraph (1) thereof or from liability under regulation 80(g) of these regulations or from any other liability.
[Note to 1996 Ed: Bullock carts do not require a licence - Schedule 2, Licences Act (Cap. 113)]

34A. Allocation and reallocation of numbers

(1)The licensing authority may allocate, or subject to subregulation (2), reallocate, registration numbers of vehicles.
(2)Where the licence of a vehicle for which a number is to be reallocated is still valid, the licensing authority shall exempt the owner of that vehicle from payment of a registration fee in respect of the reallocated number.
[regulation 34A inserted by regulation 2 of SI 4 of 1999 w.e.f. 25 January 1999]

35. Applications

(1)Every application for registration and licence, and for renewal of licence, shall be made to the licensing authority on such forms as the licensing authority may supply, and shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee and by the licence (if any) which is about to expire.
(2)In respect of any application for the registration and licensing of—
(a)a vehicle described by the manufacturer as a commercial or a goods vehicle but which has been adapted as, or altered to, modified or otherwise changed into a passenger vehicle; or
(b)a vehicle described or known as a dual purpose vehicle,
the Licensing Authority shall decide whether or not such vehicle shall be regarded as a commercial vehicle for the purpose of registration and licensing under these Regulations.

36. Surrender of expired licences

Every licencee shall surrender the licence to the licensing authority not later than the date of expiry.

37. Restriction on licences for camion

The licensing authority shall not after 30th June, 1972, issue a licence in respect of a new omnibus of a type known as a “camion” unless it is satisfied that such omnibus was ordered from the vehicle dealer on a date prior to 22nd April, 1972.

38. Learner‘s permit

(1)Any person driving a motor vehicle on a road during the course of receiving instruction or of gaining experience in driving with the object of presenting himself for a driving test shall—
(a)obtain a learner‘s permit from the Commissioner of Police;
(b)have beside him in the vehicle as instructor a person who—
(i)holds and has held throughout the four preceding a years driving licence for that class of vehicles which licence shall not have been suspended or revoked any time during the three preceding year;
(ii)has passed the examination for driving instructors conducted by Land Transport Division of the Ministry of Tourism and Transport;
(iii)is sitting in a position from which he can readily stop the vehicle; and
(iv)holds a licence issued by the licensing authority to provide services as a driving instructor;
(c)have affixed both to the front and the rear of the vehicle a plate or card 18 centimetres square, white, with the letter “L” in red, 10 centimetres high, nine centimetres wide, and two centimetres thick issued by Land Transport Division of the Ministry of Tourism and Transport upon the payment of a fee to be fixed from time to time by the Director of the Land Transport Division of the Ministry of Tourism and Transport and approved by the licensing authority:
Provided that paragraph (b) shall not apply to a person driving a motor cycle with or without a side-car attached.
(2)An application for a learner‘s permit shall be made to the Commissioner of Police.
(3)A learner‘s permit shall be valid for a period of three months.
(4)No person driving a bicycle propelled by mechanical power on a road in the course of receiving instruction or gaining experience shall carry a pillion passenger unless such passenger is a person licenced to drive that type of vehicle.

39. Conditions

The licensing authority may issue licences subject to such conditions, including the prohibition of the use of any road, as it thinks fit.

40. Notification of breaking up, destruction or exportation of vehicles

When any vehicle is broken up or destroyed or sent out of breaking of Seychelles the owner shall notify the licensing authority and deliver up the licence.

41. Refund of licence fee in certain cases

Where it is proved to the satisfaction of the Licensing Authority that any vehicle has been out of use for three or more consecutive months a refund shall be made of the appropriate part of the licence fee based on the number of complete months that the vehicle has been out of use.

42. Duplicate licences

If a licence issued under these regulations has been lost, destroyed or defaced, or the particulars and figures thereof have become altered by fading or otherwise, the owner of the vehicle shall apply to the licensing authority for the grant to him of a duplicate licence. The licensing authority may in its discretion grant a duplicate licence on payment of the prescribed fee.

43. Defacement of licences

Any person who shall by writing, drawing, or in any other manner, alter, deface, mutilate or add anything to any licence shall be deemed guilty of an offence.

44. Mode in which licence to be carried

(1)The licence issued in respect of every vehicle shall be carried upon the vehicle at all times when the vehicle is used on any road, and shall be produced by the driver to any police officer in uniform on demand.
(2)The counterfoil of the licence issued in respect of every motor vehicle equipped with a windscreen shall be fastened to the near side of the windscreen in such a manner as to be clearly legible from the outside of the vehicle.

45. Fitness

(1)The Licensing Authority shall not issue a licence in respect of a motor vehicle unless the motor vehicle has, not more than 30 days before the application for the licence, been inspected, tested and certified to conform with this Act—
(a)in the case of a motor vehicle which is on Mahe at the time of the application, by an authorised officer of the Victoria Vehicle Testing Station;
(b)in the case of a motor vehicle which is on Praslin at the time of the application, by an authorised officer of the Victoria Vehicle Testing Station or an approved garage on Praslin;
(c)in the case of a motor vehicle which is on La Digue at the time of the application, by an authorised officer of the Victoria Vehicle Testing Station or an approved garage on Praslin or La Digue.
(2)An owner or driver of a motor vehicle shall on demand in writing by a police officer produce the vehicle for inspection and test specified in the demand—
(a)in the case of vehicle which is on Mahe at the time of the demand, at the Victoria Vehicle Testing Station or such other approved garage;
(b)in the case of a vehicle which is on Praslin at the time of the demand, at the Victoria Vehicle Testing Station or an approved garage on Praslin;
(c)in the case of a vehicle which is on La Digue at the time of the demand, at the Victoria Vehicle Testing Station or an approved garage on Praslin or La Digue.
(3)Where—
(a)a police officer; or
(b)where a motor vehicle has been produced for inspection and testing at the Victoria Vehicle Testing Station or an approved garage on Praslin or La Digue, an authorised officer of the Station or garage,
considers that a motor vehicle does not in every respect conform with this Act, the police officer or authorised officer may issue to the owner, driver or person in charge of the motor vehicle and affix on a conspicuous place on the vehicle a notice prohibiting the use of the vehicle on the road until the defect specified in the notice has been remedied and the notice has been withdrawn and removed from the vehicle as provided under subregulation (4).
(4)Where a notice under sub-regulation (3) has been issued in respect of and affixed to a motor vehicle—
(a)a person shall not use or drive the vehicle, except with the authorisation of the police officer or, as the case may be, an authorised officer of the Victoria Vehicle Testing Station or an approved garage for the purpose of taking the vehicle to a designated place specified by the police officer or authorised officer, until the police officer or authorised officer has withdrawn the notice and authorised its removal from the vehicle;
(b)a person shall not remove, deface or otherwise tramper with the notice affixed on the vehicle until the defect specified in the notice has been remedied and a police officer or, as the case may be, an authorised officer of the Victoria Vehicle Testing Station or approved garage on Praslin or La Digue has withdrawn the notice and authorised its removal from the vehicle.
(5)Where, following an inspection and test of a motor vehicle, an authorised officer of the Victoria Vehicle Testing Station or an approved garage on Praslin or La Digue does not issue the vehicle with a certificate of fitness, a person aggrieved by the decision may immediately on payment of the prescribed fee appeal against the decision in the Form provided at the Victoria Testing Station or at the approved garage.
(6)On an appeal under subregulation (5), the motor vehicle shall be inspected and tested by a panel consisting of at least two authorised officers none of whom shall be the authorised officer who first inspected and tested the vehicle and where the vehicle, not having been first subject to any repair, modification or otherwise, is found on appeal to conform with this Act the owner or person in charge of the vehicle shall be refunded the fee paid on the appeal under subregulation (5).
(7)In this regulations—“approved garage” means a licenced garage which the Road Transport Commissioner may from time to time designate by notice in the Gazette and a local daily newspaper;“authorised officer”, in relation to an approved garage means a person approved by the Road Transport Commissioner for the purposes of this regulation;“certificate of fitness” means a certificate issued by the Victoria Vehicle Testing Station or an approved licenced garage certifying that the motor vehicle specified in the certificate conforms with this Act;“Victoria Vehicle Testing Station” means the Vehicle Testing Station referred to in regulation 79A and includes, where that Vehicle Testing Station is not in operation, a garage designated for this purpose by the Road Transport Commissioner by notice in the Gazette and a local newspaper.
[regulation 45 repealed and substituted by regulation 2(e) of SI 53 of 1996 w.e.f. 15 July 1996]

45A. Fitness test for bicycles and tricycles

(1)Every bicycle or tricycle in respect of which a licence is applied for under the Licences (Road Transport) Regulations, shall be produced by or on behalf of the applicant for the licence at such place as may be fixed by the licensing authority for the purpose of ascertaining whether the tricycle or bicycle satisfies the necessary conditions of solidity and safety and otherwise conforms to the conditions laid down by these Regulations.
(2)The Licensing Authority shall not issue a licence in respect of a bicycle or tricycle unless the bicycle or tricycle has been certified after an inspection under subregulation (1) to conform to the conditions laid down by these Regulations.
(3)Every owner or rider of a bicycle or tricycle shall on demand by a police officer not below the rank of a sergeant or any person authorised by the licensing authority produce the bicycle or tricycle at any place at such time and date as the police officer or person authorised by the licensing authority may appoint and shall then submit it for such inspection and test as may be required.
(4)Where on an inspection and test under subregulation (3), the police officer or person authorised by the licensing authority considers that the bicycle or tricycle does not conform to the conditions laid down by these Regulations, the police officer or person may issue to the owner or rider a notice prohibiting the use of the bicycle or tricycle until the defects specified in the notice have been remedied and the notice has been withdrawn and shall notify the licensing authority accordingly.
(5)Where a notice has been issued under subregulation (4) in respect of a bicycle or tricycle, the owner or a rider of the bicycle or tricycle on whom the notice had been served shall not use or permit the use on a road of the bicycle or tricycle until the notice had been withdrawn by a police officer referred to in subregulation (3) or person authorised by the licensing authority.
[regulation 45A inserted by regulation 2(f) of SI 74 of 1997 w.e.f. 24 November 1997]

Part 6 – Driving licences

46. Driving licences

(1)The licensing authority may require any applicant for the grant of a licence to pass a medical test and in the case of a driving licence a driving test to show that he is capable of driving and fully controlling the vehicle which he desires to be licenced to drive, and to pay such fee in respect thereof as is specified under the licences Act.
(2)The Commissioner of Police may require an applicant for a learner‘s permit to pass a medical test.
(3)An applicant for a learner‘s permit shall pay the fee specified in the Schedule to these Regulations.

47. Driving test

(1)The driving test shall be held at such time and place as the Commissioner of Police may require and shall be directed to ascertain the ability of the applicant—
(a)to control the vehicle in traffic;
(b)to bring the vehicle to a standstill rapidly in an emergency;
(c)to turn corners, cross main roads and turn from streets to main roads;
(d)to pass other vehicles on the road;
(e)to turn round on a road and generally to give the proper signals, to understand the mechanism and to carry out running repairs;
(f)to observe the rules of the road.
(2)An applicant who fails to pass a test may submit himself for a further test on payment of the prescribed fee.
(3)Such driving test shall be carried out on the type of vehicle for which application for a licence to drive has been made.

48. Certificates of competency to drive

If any applicant shall satisfy the testing officer that he is competent to drive and fully control the vehicle which he proposes to drive he shall receive from that officer a certificate to that effect and shall deliver the certificate to the licensing authority before his application is approved.

49. Medical test

(1)The medical test required by these regulations shall be carried out by the Chief Medical Officer or by any qualified medical practitioner approved by him.
(2)Every applicant for a licence to drive a motor vehicle who is medically examined, shall produce to the licensing authority the medical certificate before the grant of the licence may be approved.

50. Licence to drive a commercial or public motor vehicle

(1)Every applicant to drive a public or commercial motor vehicle shall undergo a medical test and a special driving test.
(2)The licensing authority may, in his discretion, exempt any applicant for the renewal of a driver‘s licence from the medical or driving tests, or both.

51. Duration

Unless suspended by a court or surrendered—
(a)a driving licence issued for 12 months remains in force for one year beginning on the date of commencement stated on it;
(b)a driving licence issued for 60 months remains in force for five years beginning on the date of commencement stated on it.

52. Type of licence to be issued in respect of motor vehicle

(1)Licences to drive motor vehicles shall be issued separately in respect of private vehicles, motor cycles, public vehicles, (other than taxis), commercial vehicles, omnibuses, tractors, rollers and mobile cranes:Provided that a licence to drive a private vehicle shall entitle the holder thereof to drive a commercial vehicle the carrying capacity of which does not exceed 2000 kilogrammes.[regulation 52(1) amended by regulation 2 of SI 36/2016 w.e.f. 13 June 2016]
(2)No person shall drive any public vehicle (other than a taxi) unless his licence is endorsed with permission to do so by the licensing authority.

52A.

Where a person driving a motor vehicle fails to have in his or her possession a valid driving licence commits an offence and is liable to a fine under the Minor Offences (Fixed Penalties) Decree.[regulation 52A inserted by regulation 2(c) of SI 41 of 2013 w.e.f. 6 May 2013]

53. Responsibility of driving instructors and display of “L” plates

(1)A driving instructor who accompanies a learner in a motor vehicle for the purpose of teaching the learner to drive the vehicle—
(a)shall be responsible for the due observance of all regulations set out herein;
(b)shall not permit the vehicle to be driven on any road unless he is satisfied that the learner can adequately control the vehicle;
(c)shall not permit the vehicle to be driven between the hours 0700-0830 and 1600-1700 on any day from Monday to Friday, such day not being a public holiday, on any road within the limits of the town of Victoria and on any road extending from the town of Victoria up to—
(i)Beau Vallon Police Station;
(ii)Cascade Police Station;
(iii)Anse Etoile Police Station;
(iv)La Misere School;
(v)Sans Soucis Forestry Office;
(d)shall ensure that the driving instructions are given in such a manner as to cause the least obstruction, as is necessary in the circumstances, to other users of vehicles on the road;
(e)shall ensure that the vehicle is covered by a policy of insurance which authorise driving by a learner;
(f)shall ensure that whilst a learner is receiving instructions in driving no passengers other than the driving instructor shall be carried in the vehicle except for a specific and valid purpose directly concerned with the practice of driving instructions.
(2)No person shall display on a motor vehicle a plate or card as described in regulation 38(1)(c) in the manner specified in that regulation unless the vehicle is used, on the occasion on which the plate or card is displayed, for the purpose of teaching a learner to drive the vehicle.
(3)In this regulation “learner” means a holder of a learner‘s permit granted under regulation 38.

Part 7 – Identification marks

54. Registered number and mark to be affixed to vehicles

The registered number and mark to be affixed to vehicles under the provisions of the Act shall be as follows—
(a)In the case of carts and carriages the mark shall be letter “A”.
(b)In the case of a bicycle or tricycle other than a bicycle or tricycle used for rental purpose, the mark shall be numbers only and the mark shall be provided by the Seychelles Licensing Authority.[regulation 54(b) repealed and substituted by regulation 2(d) of SI 41 of 2013 w.e.f. 6 May 2013]
(c)In the case of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers the mark shall be the letter “S”.
(d)In the case of vehicles owned by the Government of Seychelles other than those specified in paragraph (e) hereto, the mark shall be the letters “GS”.
(e)In the case of vehicles used by the President in connection with his official functions there shall be affixed the Armourial Bearings of Seychelles.
(f)In the case of vehicles other than motor cycles used by members of Diplomatic Missions or Consular Posts or United Nation Missions or by delegates of the Commissioner of European Communities in connection with their official function there shall be affixed in addition to the mark stipulated in paragraph (c) hereof the letters “CD” or “CC” or “UN” or “EEC” respectively above or alongside the registered number.
(g)In the case of vehicles covered by sub-regulation (c) and (d) such other mark in addition to the letters “S” or “GS” as the Licensing Authority may assign to the vehicle on registration.

55. Carts and carriages

Carts and carriages shall bear the registered mark and number legibly painted upon the off side of the vehicle, so placed as to be clearly visible in all circumstances, the mark and number to be not less than 5cm in height.

56. Discs or labels on bicycles or tricycle

(1)The Licensing Authority shall in granting a licence for a bicycles or bicycle or tricycle under the Licences (Road Transport) Regulations issued to its registered owner a special disc or label on which is printed the registered number or mark for the current year in conformity with regulation 54.
(2)The disc or label issued under subregulation (1) shall be conspicuously and securely affixed to the front of the bicycle or tricycle by its registered owner.
(3)When the licensing authority is satisfied that a disc or label issued under subregulation (1) has been lost or defaced, the licensing authority shall issue a new disc or label on payment of the fee prescribed for a duplicate licence for a bicycle or tricycle under the Licences (Road Transport) Regulations and on such issue, the registered number or mark printed on the previous disc or label shall be cancelled and replaced by the new number on the disc or label issued under this subregulation.
(4)The licence issued in respect of a bicycle or tricycle shall be produced by its rider to any police officer in uniform on demand.[regulation 56 repealed and substituted by regulation 2(g) of SI 74 of 1997 w.e.f. 24 November 1997]

57. Motor bicycles

In the case of motor bicycles the front plate shall be fitted in a horizontal position along the top of the front mud-guard, and the rear plate to the back of the rear mudguard. The registration mark plate and number shall not be less than 5cm in height and clearly painted upon both sides of the front and on the side of the back plate facing towards the rear. The background of the plate shall be black and the mark and figures white.

58. Other motor vehicles

(1)In the case of all other motor vehicles, there shall be affixed front and rear plates, the front plate to be attached to the cross bar in front of the bonnet which connects the mud-guards, the rear plate to the attachment provided under the rear light, or beside it. If no cross bar is fitted to the vehicle the front plate may be attached to the bumpers or to the frame of the vehicle below the front of the bonnet. In no case shall the mark and figures be less than 7.5 centimetres high, 1.25cm broad with a space of 1.25 centimetres between adjoining letters and figures and a space of 1.25 centimetres between the edge of the number plate and any letter or figure.
(2)
(a)In the case of public vehicles and commercial vehicles the mark and number shall be in black on white background;
(b)In the case of private vehicles the mark and number shall be in white on a black background;
(c)In the case of the vehicles used by the President in connection with his official functions there shall be affixed the Armorial Bearings of Seychelles as described in section 2(4) of the National Flag and Armorial Bearings Act;
(d)In the case of vehicles other than motor cycles used by members of Diplomatic Missions or Consular Posts in connection with their official functions, the mark shall be in black on a yellow background;
(e)In the case of vehicles other than motor cycles used by members of the United Nations Missions or delegates of the Commission of European Communities in connection with their official functions, the mark shall be in white on a green background;
(f)In the case of vehicles owned by parastatal corporation the marks shall subject to subsection (4) be in white on a red background.
(3)For the purposes of subregulation 2(f)—“parastatal corporate” means a body corporate established by, or established or incorporated under, a written law—
(a)which is wholly owned by the Government;
(b)of which the Government is the beneficial owner of all the issued share capital; or
(c)which is wholly under the control of the Government.
(4)The Minister may for any reason which he may deem fit, exempt a vehicle owned by a parastatal corporation from the requirement of subregulation 2(f) in which case subregulation 2(a) or (b) as the case may be shall apply to the vehicle so exempted.

59. Plates to be visible

Number plates shall be kept clean and clearly visible.

60. Trailers

In the case of trailers the registered number shall be painted white on a black background, not less than 5cm in height, and at a conspicuous place at the rear of the trailer.

Part 8 – Application of international convention

61. Visitors to Seychelles

In this Part of these regulations, “convention” means any international convention relative to motor traffic, which the Government has ratified and which has been extended to Seychelles.

62. Recognition of international certificates

A motor vehicle imported by a tourist as defined in the convention in regard to which there exists a valid and subsisting international certificate issued by a competent authority in any country or territory outside Seychelles to which the convention applies, when used on any road in Seychelles, shall not be required to be licenced or registered provided that the said vehicle carries, in addition to any identification marks required in the country in which the international certificates was issued, the distinguishing mark provided by the convention.

63. Provisions of regulations 62 to apply in certain cases

Notwithstanding the definition of the word “tourist” in the convention, the provisions of regulation 62 shall be extended to any person who satisfies the licensing authority that he is a bona fide tourist for a period not exceeding the period during which the relative international document shall be in force or twelve months whichever is the less.

64. International certificates and permits

(1)An application for an international vehicle certificate or an international driving permit shall be made to the licensing authority under the Licences Act.
(2)A vehicle in respect of which an international vehicle certificate has been granted shall carry a distinctive plate which shall be oval in shape and approximately 30 centimetres in width and 18 centimetres in height with letters “sy” in capital Roman characters displayed there on and painted in black on a white background; each letter shall measure at least 10 centimetres in height, the breadth of each line of the letters being at least 15 millimetres:Provided that in the case of a motor cycle the plate shall be 18 centimetres in width and 12 centimetres in height, the breadth of each line of the letter being at least 10 millimetres.

Part 9 – Rules of the road

65. Observance of signals and orders given by police

Every person driving or in charge of any vehicle when on any road shall promptly obey all directions and signals given by or under the direction of any police officer in uniform.

66. Rule of the road

The rule for all kinds of traffic is “keep to the left”:Provided that vehicles may take the centre of the road except—
(a)when approaching traffic coming from the opposite direction;
(b)when about to be overtaken by another vehicle;
(c)at a corner or sharp bend in the road, where they must slow down and bear to the left.

67. Vehicles passing on the road

(1)A vehicle shall not endeavour to pass another vehicle unless the driver can see that the road beyond the vehicle is clear, that is to say that no vehicle from the opposite direction is about to pass the other vehicle.
(2)A vehicle be overtaken on its right, and before drawing out to the right in order to pass any vehicle a driver shall extend his arm outwards to the right or give an appropriate signal by means of a mechanical appliance so as give a visible signal to others who may be following.

68. Turning corners

On turning to the left a driver shall make as sharp a turn as possible.

69. Right turn

Before turning to the right the driver shall extend his arm outwards to the right, or give an appropriate signal by means of a mechanical appliance, so that it may be seen by those following. In the case of a left-hand controlled vehicle the signal shall be given by a mechanical appliance. On receipt of either signal other drivers shall hold back until the turn has been completed.

70. Left turn

The “left turn” shall be signalled by extending the right arm and rotating it from the shoulder in an anticlockwise direction, or giving an appropriate signal by means of a mechanical appliance, so that it may be seen by those following.

71. Slowing down

When the driver of a vehicle proceeding in front of another vehicle intends to slow down, or stop, he shall extend his arm palm downwards and move the arm slowly up and down. The signal shall be given in the case of a vehicle with right-hand control with the right arm and in the case of a vehicle with left-hand control with the left arm.

72. Traffic police

When there is a policeman on duty at cross roads all signals shall be given to him, and no driver shall turn or cross the road until the policeman has signalled permission for him to do so.

73. Vehicle descending hill

Drivers of all vehicles descending a hill shall give way to traffic ascending it:Provided that when two vehicles meet on a road of insufficient width to allow of passing, the vehicle on the down grade shall give way to the vehicle on the up grade. In the case of motor vehicles, the vehicle on the down grade shall proceed backwards until a passing place is reached.

74. Rules for bicycles and motor cycles

(1)
(a)Subject to subregulation (2), no person riding a bicycle not being a tandem, or riding a tricycle on a road in Mahe shall carry any other person thereon.[regulation 74(1)(a) amended by regulation 2(h)(i) of SI 74 of 1997 w.e.f. 24 November 1997]
(b)Cyclists shall not proceed abreast on a road.
(c)No person shall ride a bicycle, tricycle or motor-cycle on a pavement or on the side walk of any road.[regulation 74(1)(c) amended by regulation 2(h)(ii) of SI 74 of 1997 w.e.f. 24 November 1997]
(d)A person shall not ride a bicycle on a public road without wearing a crash helmet of a type or make approved by the Road Transport Commissioner:
Provided the above requirement shall not apply to roads on La Digue[regulation 74(1)(d) inserted by regulation 2(e)(i) of SI 41 of 2013 w.e.f. 6 May 2013]
(2)
(a)Not more than two persons shall ride on a motor-cycle on a road.
(b)No person shall ride on a motor-cycle on a road except sitting on the seat provided for the driver or the pillion passenger, as the case may be.
(c)No person shall ride a motor-cycle on a road without wearing a crash helmet of a type or make approved by the Commissioner of Police.
(d)Children of less than 10 years shall not be carried as passengers on motor-cycles.
(e)In this regulation “motor-cycle” means a bicycle propelled by electrical or mechanical power.[regulation 74(2)(e) amended by regulation 2(e)(ii) of SI 41 of 2013 w.e.f. 6 May 2013]
(f)A person shall not operate a segway on a public road or a pavement.[regulation 74(2)(f) inserted by regulation 2(e)(iii) of SI 41 of 2013 w.e.f. 6 May 2013]
(3)An owner of a bicycle or tricycle shall not cause or permit any bicycle or tricycle to be used on any road unless it is licenced and insured in accordance with the Licences (Road Transport) Regulations.[regulation 74(3) inserted by regulation 2(h)(iii) of SI 74 of 1997 w.e.f. 24 November 1997]
(4)No person shall ride a bicycle or tricycle on a road negligently or recklessly or at a speed or in a manner which is dangerous to the public, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, including the nature, conditions and use of the road and the amount of traffic which is actually at the time or which might reasonably be expected to be, on the road.[regulation 74(4) inserted by regulation 2(h)(iii) of SI 74 of 1997 w.e.f. 24 November 1997]
(5)No person shall use or cause or permit the use of a bicycle in contravention of any restriction or prohibition imposed under these Regulations.[regulation 74(5) inserted by regulation 2(h)(iii) of SI 74 of 1997 w.e.f. 24 November 1997]
(6)A person who causes the death of another person by the riding of a bicycle or tricycle on a road recklessly or at a speed or in a manner which is dangerous to the public, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, including the nature, condition and use of the road and the amount of traffic which is actually at the time or which might reasonably be expected to be, on the road, is guilty of an offence.[regulation 74(6) inserted by regulation 2(h)(iii) of SI 74 of 1997 w.e.f. 24 November 1997]

74A. Seat belt

(1)Subject to paragraph (2) every passenger occupying a seat of a motor car equipped with a seat belt adapted for use of the passenger in the car shall, when the car is in motion on a road, wear the seat belt.
(2)Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a passenger who holds—
(a)a valid certificate issued by a medical practitioner that it is inadvisable on medical grounds for the passenger to wear a seat belt whilst travelling in a motor car; or
(b)a valid certificate to such effect issued by the authority having power to issue such certificate under the law of a country, other than Seychelles, of which the passenger is a citizen.
(3)A driver of a motor car shall be responsible for the observance of paragraph (1) by any other passenger in the motor car driven by him.
(4)In this regulation—“motor car” means a motor vehicle, not being a motor bicycle, constructed solely for the carriage of persons and their effects and adapted to carry not more than five persons exclusive of the driver;“passenger” includes the driver of the motor car;“seat” means any part of the motor car designed for the accommodation of a passenger;“seat belt” means a belt intended to be worn by a passenger in a motor car and designed to prevent or lessen injury to its wearer in the event of an accident to the motor car.

75. Vehicle stopping on roads

No vehicle shall be stopped within nine metres of any corner, nor at a greater distance than 0.9 metres from the side of any road, nor in a condition or circumstances likely to be dangerous.

76. Speed limits on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue

(1)Subject to any speed limit imposed by the Road Transport Commissioner under section 22 of the Act, and to subregulation (2), no person shall drive a motor vehicle—
(i)on any road in Greater Victoria at a speed exceeding 40 kilometres per hour;
(ii)on any road, other than in Greater Victoria, on the island of Mahe, at a speed exceeding 80 kilometres per hour;
(iii)on any road on the island of Praslin at a speed exceeding 65 kilometres per hour;
(iv)on any road on the island of La Digue at a speed exceeding 25 kilometres per hour;
In this regulation “Greater Victoria” means the area described in the Schedule to the Town of Victoria (Boundaries and Divisions) Act (Cap 238).
(2)The minimum speed at which vehicles may be driven on the Providence Highway between the junction at Providence Industrial Estate and the junction at the airport is 65 kilometres per hour.
(3)No vehicle is permitted to stop on the carriageway of the Providence Highway between the junction at Providence Industrial Estate and the airport junction except on the shoulder
[regulation 76 repealed and substituted by regulation 2(b) of SI 9 of 2002 w.e.f. 18 March 2002]

76A.

A person driving a motor vehicle who—
(a)is using a hand held mobile phone while driving;
(b)is racing on a public road;
(c)drives through a red light;
(d)fails to ensure that an infant or child passenger is properly secured in an appropriate child restraint; or
(e)fails to ensure that any door of his motor vehicle is not opened improperly;
(f)plays or operates or causes or allows the playing or operation of, any record player, radio, tape cassette player or other device designed or adapted for the transmission of sound from any vehicle which is in motion or stationery on any public road in such a manner as to cause disturbance or annoyance to the public,
commits an offence and is liable to a fine under the Minor Offences (Fixed Penalties) Decree.[regulation 76A inserted by regulation 2(f) of SI 41 of 2013 w.e.f. 6 May 2013]

76B.

A person riding a bicycle shall not hold onto any moving motor vehicle.[regulation 76B inserted by regulation 2(f) of SI 41 of 2013 w.e.f. 6 May 2013]

Part 10 – General

77. Prescription of fees

The fees set out in the Schedule hereto are hereby prescribed for the purposes of the Act.

78. Lost property

Every driver of a public vehicle shall search his vehicle, immediately after the completion of every run, for any property accidentally left in it, and shall take the same within twenty-four hours (if not sooner claimed by the owner) to the nearest police station, and the officer in charge shall give a receipt for all property handed over.

79. Minister may give directions as to standard and equipment

The Minister may give directions of a general nature to the Road Transport Commissioner relating to the standard and quality of equipment and parts prescribed under these Regulations for motor vehicles and the Road Transport Commissioner shall ensure that motor vehicles on all roads are fitted with equipment or parts of at least the quality and standard specified by the Minister.[regulation 79 amended by regulation 2(f) of SI 53 of 1996 w.e.f. 15 July 1996]

79A. Victoria Vehicle Testing Station and designated garage

(1)The Victoria Vehicle Testing Station is, for the purpose of section 30 of the Act, the prescribed authority for the purpose of examining or testing devices or pieces of equipment for the purposes of this Act and of issuing certificate under the section for the purposes of this Act.
(2)The Road Transport Commissioner may from time to time designate a garage by notice in the Gazette and a daily newspaper for the purpose of inspecting and testing motor vehicles and issuing certificate certifying whether the motor vehicles conform with this Act.
(3)A certificate issued by a garage referred to in subregulation (2) shall for the purposes of this Act have the same effect as a certificate issued by the Victoria Vehicle Testing Station.
[regulation 79A inserted by regulation 2(g) of SI 53 of 1996 w.e.f. 15 July 1996]

Part 11 – Offences

80. Using vehicles contrary to regulations

Any a person who uses a vehicle or any article of its load or equipment, or who causes or permits a vehicle or such article to be used—
(a)without the prescribed items of equipment, marks or other prescribed articles, or any one or more of them; or
(b)in a condition or with any defect, either in the vehicle or in any thing carried by it, prohibited by these Regulations; or
(c)which in any manner contravenes any of the prescribed dimensions, weights or design; or
(d)in any manner which contravenes these Regulations; or
(e)loaded with passengers, goods or other persons or things in any manner which contravenes these Regulations; or
(f)without the vehicle and driver being duly and lawfully registered and licenced; or
(g)in any manner which contravenes any condition in or endorsement on any licence; or
(h)without every licence being carried in such manner as may be prescribed; or
(i)without the vehicle having been approved in accordance with these Regulations; or[regulation 80(i) amended by regulation 2(h) of SI 53 of 1996 w.e.f. 15 July 1996]
(j)on any road prohibited for that vehicle by or virtue of any law; or
(k)contrary to or without complying with the prescribed rules of the road, or any one or more of them,
shall be guilty of an offence.

81. Saving

This part of these regulations shall not be deemed to affect the generality of section 24 of the Act.

82. Offences in connection with lighting of vehicles

(1)The driver or the person in charge of a vehicle who allows or permits the vehicle to be on a road at night without such vehicle being lighted as prescribed in regulation 28 shall be guilty of an offence.
(2)For the purposes of this regulation, when a vehicle is standing or parked on a road—
(a)the person who drove the vehicle before it became stationary; and
(b)in cases where there was no driver or where the driver cannot be traced, the owner of the vehicle,
shall be deemed to be the person in charge of such vehicle.

83. Unnecessary noise

Any person who makes any unnecessary noise with any vehicle or any item of its equipment shall be deemed guilty of an offence.

84. Miscellaneous offences

Any person who causes or permits—
(a)the unnecessary discharge from a vehicle of steam, lubricating oil, or other products of combustion; or
(b)the use of a vehicle without the brakes and steering apparatus being in good working order; or
(c)a vehicle to be used with the driver in such a position that he cannot have control over the vehicle, or that he cannot obtain a full view of the road and the traffic ahead, or a vehicle to be quitted without due precaution against its being moved or started, or to stand on a road so as to cause unnecessary obstruction; or
(d)without the permission of the Commissioner of Police, any person to sit on the right hand side of the driver on a right hand controlled motor vehicle, or more than one person on the left hand side of the driver (and on a left hand controlled motor vehicle, any person to sit on the left hand side of the driver, or more than one person on the right hand side of the driver); or
(e)in the case of a motor-vehicle not being a motor-bicycle, any person to travel in any position other than within the vehicle; or
(f)any motor vehicle to mount or to be driven or across any part of any footway, footpath or other way usually used pedestrian traffic only,
(g)stops a motor vehicle in an area not provided for by the regulations, commits an offence and is liable under the Minor Offences (Fixed Penalties) Decree,[regulation 84(g) inserted by regulation 2(g) of SI 41 of 2013 w.e.f. 6 May 2013]
shall be deemed guilty of an offence.

85. Further offences

Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with any of the provisions of regulations 19(1), 38(4) and 74 shall be guilty of an offence.

86.

Any person who contravenes or fails to pay the fine imposed under Regulations 22A, 52A or 76A shall be guilty of an offence.[regulation 86 inserted by regulation 2 of SI 8 of 2016 w.e.f. 22 February 2016]

Schedule 2

Part I – Fees for learner's permits

1.Learner‘s Permit for motor vehicles (for R. 100.00 each permit issued)

Part II – Fees for registration of vehicles

1. Public motor vehicles and commercial vehiclesR40.00
2. Private motor vehiclesR20.00
3. Motor-cycles or motor cycles combinationsR20.00
4. Other vehicles (except bicycles and tricycles).R20.00

Part III – Other fees

1. Driving testR100.00
2. Inspection and testing fee— 
(a) Motor cycle with or without side carR150.00
(b) Car Hire—
 MaheR200.00
PraslinR150.00
(c)Motor vehicle (other than motor cycle, tractor, mobile crane, earth moving machinery and tracked motor vehicle) which is a passenger service of payload capacity of—
(i)Up to 3000 kg—
MaheR300.00
PraslinR150.00
La DigueR150.00
(ii)over 3000 kg but not more 5000 kgR400.00
(iii)of more than 5000 kgR700.00
(d)Motor vehicle which is used as a passenger service vehicleR700.00
(e)Tractor, mobile crane, earth moving machinery and tracked motor vehicleR700.00
[Schedule Part III item 2 repealed and substituted by regulation 2 of w.e.f. 31 December 2014]
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History of this document

01 August 2016 this version
Consolidation
13 June 2016
23 January 1950
Commenced