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BARBADOS
L.N. 1960 No. 101
Road Traffic
295
Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles (International Circulation)) Order, 1960
Authority:
This order was made on 11th July, 1960 by the Chief Technical Director under section 3 of the Road Traffic Act, 1952.
Chief Technical Officer:
This power is now exercised by the Cabinet under section 80 of the Road Traffic Act, Cap. 295.
Commencement:   15th August, 1960.
Amended by:
1985/1491986/120
Law Revision Orders
The following Law Revision Orders authorized the insertion and removal of pages under the Law Revision Act Cap.2 now repealed:
1989  
1.
This Order may be cited as the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles (International Circulation)) Order, 1960.
2.
In this Order
“the Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Police;
“Convention driving permit” means a driving permit in Form A or B in the First Schedule to this Order issued under the authority of a country outside Barbados which is a party to the Convention to which that form relates;
“the Convention of 1926” means the International Convention relative to Motor Traffic concluded at Paris in the year 1926;
“the Convention of 1949” means the Convention on Road Traffic concluded at Geneva in the year 1949;
“domestic driving permit” in relation to a country means a document issued under the law of that country authorising the holder to drive motor vehicles, or a specified class or description of motor vehicles, in that country;
“fiscal permit” means a permit in Form C in the First Schedule to this Order issued by a country outside Barbados which is a party to the Convention of 1931 therein mentioned;
“nationality sign” means a sign complying with the provisions of Annex 4 to the Convention of 1949 or of Annex C to the Convention of 1926 and bearing the distinctive letters specified in or under the Convention for the country under the law of which the vehicle is registered;
“visitor’s registration document” means
(a)
in the case of a vehicle registered in a country outside Barbados which is a party to the Convention of 1949, a registration certificate issued under the law of that country and containing the serial number or registration number, the name or the trade mark of the maker of the vehicle, the maker’s identification or serial number, the date of its registration and the full name and the permanent place of residence of the applicant for the said certificate; or
(b)
a certificate in Form D in the First Schedule to this Order issued under the law of a country outside Barbados which is a party to the Convention of 1926.
Documents for Drivers and Vehicles Going Abroad
3.
The Commissioner may issue for use outside Barbados a driving permit in the Form A in the First Schedule to this Order to a person who has attained the age of 18 years and satisfies the Commissioner.
(a)
that he is competent to drive motor vehicles of the classes or description for which the permit is to be issued; and
(b)
that he is resident in Barbados.
[1985/43]
Visitor’s Driving Permits
4.(1)
Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, it shall be lawful for a person making only a temporary stay in Barbados who holds
(a)
a Convention driving permit; or
(b)
a domestic driving permit issued in a country outside Barbados,
during a period of 12 months from the date of his last entry into Barbados to drive in Barbados a motor vehicle of any class or description which he is authorised by that permit to drive notwithstanding that he is not the holder of a driving licence under Part V of the Act.
[1986/120]
(2)
This paragraph shall not authorise a person to drive in Barbados unless
(a)
he is at least 18 years of age;
(b)
he has first registered with the Licensing Authority, the Commissioner or an authorised operator of a hired car service; and
(c)
he has paid a registration fee of $10.00.
(3)
This paragraph shall not authorise a person to drive a motor vehicle of any class or description if, in consequence of a conviction or of the order of a court, he is disqualified from holding a driving licence under Part V of the Act.
(4)
The provisions of this paragraph which authorise the holder of a permit to drive a vehicle during a specified period shall not be construed as authorising the driving of a vehicle at a time when the permit has ceased to be valid.
(5)
The Fifth Schedule to this Order shall have effect as respects the driving permit referred to in sub-paragraph (1) of this paragraph.
(6)
In this paragraph “an authorised operator of a hired car service” means an operator of a self-drive hired car service appointed by the Licensing Authority with the approval of the Cabinet, for the purpose of registration under sub-paragraph 2(b).
[1985/149; 1986/120]
Documents for Vehicles Brought Temporarily into Barbados
5.(1)
A person bringing a motor vehicle temporarily into Barbados may, subject to and in accordance with this Order, be granted an international circulation permit, and a vehicle as respects which an international circulation permit is in force shall be exempt from any requirement to be registered under Part II of the Act and from any fee payable in respect thereof and also from any requirement to be licensed under Part III of the Act and from any tax payable in respect thereof.
(2)
An international circulation permit shall be granted to a person bringing a motor vehicle into Barbados if he
(a)
furnishes the Commissioner with such particulars as are specified in the Fifth Schedule to this Order; and
(b)
satisfies the Commissioner that he is resident outside Barbados and that the motor vehicle is only temporarily in Barbados; and
(c)
produces for the vehicle a certificate of insurance or a certificate of security within the meaning of the Motor Vehicles Insurance Act, Cap. 292, valid for the currency of the permit to be issued; and
(d)
in the case of a vehicle constructed or adapted to be used for the conveyance of goods or burden, satisfies the Commissioner that it is not intended during the currency of the permit so to use the vehicle in Barbados for hire or reward or for or in connection with a trade or business.
(3)
An international circulation permit shall be in the form in and contain the particulars required by, the Sixth Schedule to this Order.
6.
An international circulation permit shall not be granted for a period any part of which falls after the ninetieth day from the date on which the vehicle was last brought to Barbados, and the periods for which international circulation permits may be granted to any person in any one calendar year shall not exceed 90 days in all: but an international circulation permit issued on production of a fiscal permit may, notwithstanding the foregoing limitations, be granted for any period within the currency of the fiscal permit so long as the period or periods for which international circulation permits are granted which fall within the currency of that international fiscal permit do not exceed 90 days in all.
7.(1)
An international circulation permit shall be fixed in a card holder in a conspicuous position in the left front of the motor vehicle in respect of which it is issued.
(2)
No person shall drive a motor vehicle in respect of which an international circulation permit is in force unless such permit is fixed to such vehicle in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph (1) of this paragraph.
8.(1)
A registration card containing such particulars relative to the vehicle in respect of which it is issued as the Commissioner may from time to time decide, shall be issued to every person to whom an international circulation permit is granted.
(2)
A person to whom an international circulation permit is granted shall produce his registration card at any reasonable time upon request by a police constable.
9.(1)
No person shall deface or mutilate any international circulation permit or registration card or alter or obliterate any entry made therein or make any addition thereto or make or exhibit any colourable imitation thereof.
(2)
If an international circulation permit or registration card issued by the Commissioner under this Order has been lost, destroyed or accidentally defaced, the person to whom it was issued shall apply to the Commissioner for the issue to him of a duplicate permit or registration card, as the case may be, and the Commissioner upon being satisfied as to such loss, destruction or defacement, and where the permit or registration card has been accidentally defaced, upon the surrender of the permit or registration card so defaced, shall issue a duplicate so marked, and a duplicate so issued shall have the same effect as the original permit or registration card.
10.(1)
Where a vehicle in respect of which an international circulation permit is in force
(a)
is sold or transferred; or
(b)
is removed to a country outside Barbados; or
(c)
is destroyed,
the holder of the international circulation permit or registration card shall surrender them to the Commissioner informing him, in a case where the vehicle has been sold or transferred, of the name of the purchaser thereof and of his address if any, in Barbados.
(2)
The holder of an international circulation permit which has expired shall surrender it to the Commissioner and he shall so surrender it if he is applying for a licence under Part III of the Act for the motor vehicle in respect of which it was issued.
(3)
The holder of an international circulation permit may, before the expiration of the permit, surrender it to the Commissioner, and thereupon the permit shall cease to be valid.
Registration Marks for Vehicles Carrying International Circulation Permits
11.
The Commissioner shall assign to a vehicle for which he issues an international circulation permit a registration mark which shall be
(a)
In the case of a vehicle in respect of which a visitor’s registration document is produced, the registration marks recorded on that document; and
(b)
in the case of any other vehicle, a registration mark consisting of the letter V and of a registered number.
12.(1)
Two plates each bearing the registration marks assigned to such vehicle shall be rigidly fixed, one in a conspicuous position in the front, and the other in a conspicuous position at the rear, of the vehicle, and each in an upright position so that every letter and figure on the plate is upright and easily distinguishable, in the case of the front plate from a position fronting the motor vehicle, and, in the case of the rear plate from behind the motor vehicle; and where any vehicle is drawn by any motor vehicle a similar plate shall be fixed in a similar manner at the rear of such vehicle. In the case of a motor cycle the front plate shall be clearly visible on each side of the cycle, and the rear plate shall be fixed in an upright position similar to the rear plate of a motor vehicle. The plates and the registration mark shall be of the description set out in paragraphs (2) to (7) of the Second Schedule to the Act, the letter and numbers of the mark being arranged in conformity with the arrangements of letters and figures shown in one or other of the alternative diagrams in the said Schedule:
Provided that nothing in this paragraph or in the Second Schedule to the Act which imposes requirements as to the contents or construction of registration plates shall apply as respects a registration mark assigned under sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph 11 if the corresponding requirements of the law, or the authority by whom, the registration mark was issued are complied with, and if any letters in the registration mark are in Roman characters and any figures ordinary European numerals:
Provided further than a registration mark assigned under subparagraph (a) of paragraph 11 need not be exhibited on the front of the vehicle if that is not required by the law under which, or the authority by whom, the registration mark was issued:
Provided also that in the case of a trailer drawn by a motor vehicle in respect of which an international permit is in force, where—
(a)
the registration mark was assigned under sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph 11;
(b)
the trailer has been brought temporarily into Barbados by a person resident outside Barbados,
a registration number allotted to the trailer under the law of a country outside Barbados which is a party to the Convention of 1949 may be exhibited at the back of the trailer instead of the said registration mark.
(2)
During the currency of an international circulation permit issued for a vehicle to which a registration mark was assigned under sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph 11, a nationality sign indicating the country under the law of which it was issued, shall be exhibited at the back of the vehicle so as to be clearly distinguishable.
(3)
Where a vehicle which in pursuance of this paragraph must carry a nationality sign is drawing one or more trailers, the nationality sign shall be carried in like manner at the back of the trailer or rearmost trailer:
Provided that a trailer carrying a registration number in pursuance of the third proviso to sub-paragraph (1) of this paragraph shall carry a nationality sign indicating the country under the law of which that registration number was issued (if different to the country under the law of which the registration mark was issued) instead of the other nationality sign.
FIRST SCHEDULE
SECOND SCHEDULE
LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS FOR VEHICLES
1.
Every motor vehicle other than a motor cycle with or without sidecar and capable of exceeding 12 miles per hour on the level shall be equipped with at least two white or yellow driving lights, fitted in front, capable of adequately illuminating the road for a distance of 325 feet in front of the vehicle at night time in clear weather.
2.
Every motor vehicle other than a motor cycle with or without sidecar and capable of exceeding 12 miles per hour on the level shall be equipped with two white or yellow passing lights fitted at the front of the vehicle and capable when necessary of adequately illuminating the road at night in clear weather in front of the vehicle for a distance of 100 feet without causing glare or dazzle to other road users whatever the direction of the traffic may be.
3.
Every motor cycle with or without sidecar with an engine of a cylinder capacity of more than 3.05 cu. in. shall have at least one driving light and one passing light conforming to the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Schedule.
4.(1)
Every motor vehicle other than a motor cycle without sidecar shall be equipped with two white position (side) lights at the front, which shall be clearly visible at night time in clear weather at a distance of 500 feet from the front of the vehicle without causing any glare or dazzle to other road users.
(2)
The part of the illuminating surface of these lights furthest from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle shall be as near as possible to and in no case further than 16 in. from the extreme outer edges of the vehicle.
5.
Every motor vehicle and every trailer at the end of a combination of vehicles shall be equipped at the rear with at least one red light visible at night time in clear weather at a distance of 500 feet from the rear.
6.
The registration number displayed at the rear of a motor vehicle or a trailer shall be capable of illumination at night time in such a manner that it can be read in clear weather at a distance of 65 feet from the rear of the vehicle.
7.
The red rear light or lights and the light for the rear registration number shall be shown at the same time as any of the following: position (side) lights, passing lights or driving lights.
8.(1)
Every motor vehicle other than a motor cycle without sidecar shall be equipped with two red reflex reflectors preferably of other than triangular form, fitted symmetrically at the rear and on opposite sides of the vehicle.
(2)
The outer edges of each of the reflectors shall be as near as possible to and in no case further than 16 in. from the outer edges of the vehicle.
(3)
The reflectors may be incorporated in the rear red lamps, if these lamps comply with the above requirements and shall be visible at night time in clear weather from a distance of at least 325 feet when illuminated by means of two driving lights.
9.
Every motor cycle without sidecar shall be equipped with a red reflex reflector preferably of other than triangular form, fitted at the rear of the vehicle, either incorporated in, or separate from, the rear red lamp, and shall comply with the conditions of visibility mentioned under paragraph 8 of this Schedule.
10.(1)
Every trailer and every articulated vehicle shall be equipped with two red reflex reflectors, preferably triangular in shape, fitted symmetrically at the rear and on opposite sides of the vehicle.
(2)
These reflectors shall be visible at night time in clear weather from a distance of at least 325 feet when illuminated by means of two driving lights.
(3)
When the reflectors are triangular in shape, the triangle shall be equilateral, with sides of at least 6 in. and shall be upright in position. The outer corner of each of these reflectors shall be as near as possible to, and in no case further than, 16 in. from the extreme outer edges of the vehicle.
11.(1)
With the exception of motor cycles, every motor vehicle and every trailer at the end of a combination of vehicles shall be equipped with at least one stop light at the rear showing a red or amber light.
(2)
This light shall be actuated upon application of the service brake of the motor vehicle.
(3)
If the stop light is red in colour and is either incorporated in, or associated with, the rear red light, its intensity shall be greater than that of the rear red light.
(4)
The stop light shall not be required on trailers and semi-trailers when their dimensions are such that the stop light of the drawing vehicle remains visible from the rear.
12.
When a motor vehicle is equipped with direction indicators, such indicators shall be one of the following—
(i)
a moveable arm protruding beyond each side of the vehicle and illuminated by a steady amber light when the arm is in the horizontal position;
(ii)
a constantly blinking or flashing amber light affixed to each side of the vehicle;
(iii)
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.
13.
No lights, with the exception of direction indicators, shall be flashing or blinking lights.
14.
If a vehicle is equipped with several lights of the same kind, they shall be of the same colour and, except in the case of motor cycles with sidecars, two of these lights shall be placed symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
15.
Several lights may be incorporated in the same lighting device provided each of these lights complies with the appropriate provisions of this Schedule.
FOURTH SCHEDULE
VISITORS’ DRIVING PERMITS
1.
In this Schedule “driving permit” means a driving permit which by virtue of this Order authorises a person to drive a motor vehicle without holding a driver’s licence under Part V of the Act and “driver’s licence” means a driver’s licence under the said Part V.
2.(1)
A court by whom the holder of a driving permit is convicted shall—
(a)
if in consequence of the conviction or of the order of the court he is disqualified from obtaining or holding a driver’s licence; or
(b)
if they order particulars of the conviction to be endorsed on any driver’s licence held by him,
send particulars of the conviction to the Commissioner.
(2)
A court shall in no circumstances enter any particulars in a driving permit.
3.(1)
The holder of a driving permit disqualified in consequence of a conviction or of the order of a court from holding a driver’s licence shall, if so required by the court, produce his driving permit within five days, or such longer time as the court may determine, and the court shall forward it to the Commissioner.
(2)
The Commissioner on receiving a permit forwarded under sub-paragraph (1) of this paragraph—
(a)
shall record particulars of his disqualification on the permit, and
(b)
send the holder’s name and address, together with the said particulars to the authority by whom the driving permit was issued; and
(c)
shall retain the permit until the holder leaves Barbados or until the period of disqualification expires, whichever is the earlier.
(3)
A person failing to produce a driving permit in compliance with this paragraph shall be guilty of an offence against the Act.
4.(1)
In the following provisions of the Act, references to a driver’s licence shall include references to a driving permit.
(2)
The said provisions are—
(a)
section 40 (which authorises a police constable to require the production of a driver’s licence);
(b)
section 67 (which relates to the forgery of a driver’s licence and to the use by a person other than the holder of such a licence);
(c)
subsection (2) of section 70 (which authorises a police, parish or island constable to arrest a driver committing certain offences unless the driver gives his name and address or produces his driver’s licence).
(3)
For the purposes of section 67 of the Act a driving permit shall be deemed to have been issued under the Act.
FIFTH SCHEDULE
PARTICULARS NEEDED TO OBTAIN AN INTERNATIONAL CIRCULATION PERMIT
1.
The full name and home address of the person to whom the international circulation permit is to be granted.
2.
The date and place of entry into Barbados of the vehicle in question.
3.
The make and chassis number of the vehicle and such other particulars describing the vehicle as the Commissioner may direct.
4.
The letters and numbers on the registration plates (if any) of the vehicle and (if different) of any trailer drawn thereby, together with the country of registration.
5.
In a case where the vehicle is drawing a trailer, the name of the manufacturer of the trailer and its serial or other identification number.
6.
The address in Barbados of the person to whom the permit is to be granted or, if none, the name and address in Barbados of some other person through whom he may be contacted in Barbados.
SIXTH SCHEDULE
FORM OF INTERNATIONAL CIRCULATION PERMIT