Status Report: CONVENTION ON ROAD TRAFFIC

STATUS REPORT

CONVENTION ON ROAD TRAFFIC

(Geneva, 26/03/1952)

ENTRY INTO FORCE : 27-Mar-56

Depositary: N/A

Last updated by PacLII: N/A

Parties	Date of Signature	Date of ratification / Other
Fiji	FJI
Papua New Guinea	PNG

(Distinctive letters notified to the Secretary-General)
-Portugal (6): 19 January 1956 All Overseas Provinces-excluding Macau
12 January 1961 Hong Kong
13 May 1959 Mauritius and Singapore
14 July 1965 Swaziland and Grenada
16 December 1965 Fiji
22 April 1960 Barbados
22 January 1958 The Isle of Man
23 November 1959 Malta
25 March 1960 Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
27 August 1958 Aden Colony, British Guiana , Seychelles , Cyprus , Gibraltar , British Honduras and Uganda
28 May 1958 Bailiwick of Guernsey and the States of Jersey
3 August 1961 Bahamas
30 August 1950 All the territories for the international relations of which the United States of America is responsible
5 March 1959 Gambia
8 February 1960 Zanzibar
Aden	ADN
Albania [#]	AL
Albania R		1 October 1969 Ac
Alderney	GBA
Algeria	DZ
Andorra	AND
Argentina	RA
Australia [#]	AUS
Australia* R		7 December 1954
Australia: 3 May 1961 Papua and Trust Territory of New Guinea
Austria [#]	A
Bahamas [#]	BS
Bangladesh	BD
Barbados 25	BDS
Barbados R		5 March 1971 Sc
Belgium	B
Belgium: 23 April 1954 Belgian Congo and the Trust Territory of Ruanda-Urundi
Benin	DY
Botswana 26	BW
Botswana R		3 January 1967 Ac
Brazil	BR
British Honduras [#]	BH
Brunei	BRU
Bulgaria	BG
Bulgaria R		13 February 1963 Ac
Cambodia	K
Canada	CDN
Central African Republic	RCA
Chile [#]	RCH
Chile R		10 August 1960 Ac
China 4	RC
China 4,5,6
Congo	RCB
Costa Rica	CR
Cuba		1 October 1952 Ac
Cyprus [#]	CY
Cyprus R		6 July 1962 Sc
Czech Republic 7 R		2 June 1993 Sc
Cфte d'Ivoire	CI
Democratic Republic of the Congo	CGO
Denmark [#]	DK
Denmark R	19 September 1949	3 February 1956
Distinguishing Sign of Vehicles in International Traffic
Dominican Republic [#]	DOM
Dominican Republic R	19 September 1949	15 August 1957
Ecuador	EC
Egypt	ET
Faroe Islands 27	FO
Fiji R		31 October 1972 Sc
Finland [#]	SF
Finland R		24 September 1958 Ac
France [#]	29 October 1952	French Protectorates of Morocco and Tunisia , all French Overseas Territories and Togoland and the Cameroons under French Mandate
France (including French overseas territories)	F
France R	19 September 1949	15 September 1950
France: 29 October 1952 French Protectorates of Morocco and Tunisia , all French Overseas Territories and Togoland and the Cameroons under French Mandate 19 January 1953 Principality of Andorra
Gambia 25	WAG
Georgia	GE
Ghana [#]	GH
Ghana R		6 January 1959 Ac
Gibraltar [#]	GBZ
Greece	GR
Grenada	WG
Guatemala [#]	GCA
Guatemala R		10 January 1962 Ac
Guernesey	GBG
Haiti	RH
Holy See	V
Hong Kong 5 [#]	HK
Hungary	H
Hungary R		30 July 1962 Ac
Iceland [#]	IS
Iceland R		22 July 1983 Ac
India [#]	IND
India R	19 September 1949	9 March 1962
Indonesia	RI
Iran (Islamic Republic of)	IR
Ireland [#]	IRL
Ireland R		31 May 1962 Ac
Isle of Man [#]	GBM
Israel [#]	IL
Israel R	19 September 1949	6 January 1955
Italy	I
Jamaica [#]	JA
Jamaica R		9 August 1963 Sc
Japan [#]	J
Japan (12): 12 June 1972 Okinawa
Japan 12	12 June 1972	Okinawa
Japan R		7 August 1964 Ac
Jersey	GBJ
Jordan	HKJ
Kenya 25	EAK
Kyrgyzstan	KS
Lao People's Democratic Republic	LAO
Lebanon	RL
Lesotho		27 September 1973 Ac
Lesotho 25	LS
Luxembourg	L
Madagasca	RM
Madagascar		27 June 1962 Sc
Malawi [#]	MW
Malawi R		17 February 1965 Sc
Malaysia [#]	MAL
Malaysia R		10 September 1958 Ac
Mali	RMM
Malta [#]	M
Malta R		3 January 1966 Sc
Mauritius 25	MS
Mexico	MEX
Monaco [#]	MC
Monaco R		3 August 1951 Ac
Morocco	MA
Myanmar	BUR
Namibia	NAM
Netherlands [#]	NL
Netherlands (8) :14 January 1955 Surinam and the Netherlands New Guinea 9 May 1957 The Netherlands Antilles
Netherlands 8	14 January 1955	Surinam and the Netherlands New Guinea
Netherlands 8 R	19 September 1949	19 September 1952
Netherlands Antilles 8 [#]	NA
New Zealand [#]	NZ
New Zealand (9): 29 November 1961Trust Territory of Western Samoa
New Zealand 9	29 November 1961	Trust Territory of Western Samoa
New Zealand 9 R		12 February 1958 Ac
Nicaragua	NIC
Niger	NIG
Nigeria 25	WAN
Norway [#]	N
Norway R	19 September 1949	11 April 1957
Pakistan	PAK
Papua New Guinea R		12 February 1981 Ac
Paraguay	PY
Peru	PE
Phil ippines	PI
Phil ippines R	19 September 1949	15 September 1952
Poland	PL
Portugal [#]	P
Portugal 6 [#]	19 January 1956	All Overseas Provinces-excluding Macau
Portugal 6 R		28 December 1955 Ac
Republic of Korea	ROK
Republic of Korea 10		14 June 1971 Sc
Romania	R
Romania R		26 January 1961 Ac
Russian Federation	SU
Russian Federation R		17 August 1959 Ac
Rwanda	RWA
Samoa 25	WS
San Marino [#]	RSM
San Marino R		19 March 1962 Ac
Senegal [#]	SN
Senegal R		13 July 1962 Sc
Serbia and Montenegro 11		12 March 2001 Sc
Seychelles	SY
Sierra Leone [#]	WAL
Sierra Leone R		13 March 1962 Sc
Singapore [#]	SGP
Singapore R		29 November 1972 Sc
Slovakia 7 [#]	SK
Slovakia 7 R		1 February 1993 Sc
South Africa [#]	ZA
South Africa R	19 September 1949	9 July 1952 Ac
South Africa: 9 July 1952 South West Africa
Southerne Rhodesia	RSR
Spain	13 February 1958	African localities and provinces
Spain (incl. African localities and provinces)	E
Spain 13 February 1958 African localities and provinces
Sri Lanka	CL
St. Lucia	WL
St. Vincent [#]	WV
Surinam	SME
Swaziland	SD
Sweden [#]	S
Sweden R	19 September 1949	25 February 1952
Switzerland	CH
Syrian Arab Republic	SYR
TERRITORIAL APPLICATION
Tanganyika 25	EAT
Territorial Application
Thailand	T
Togo	TG
Trinidad and Tobago [#]	TT
Trinidad and Tobago R		8 July 1964 Ac
Tunisia	TN
Turkey	TR
Uganda [#]	EAU
United Kingdom 5,1,22
United Kingdom 5,21,22	22 January 1958	The Isle of Man
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [#]	GB
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 5 R	19 September 1949	8 July 1957
United States of America	USA
Uruguay	U
Venezuela	YV
Venezuela R		11 May 1962 Ac
Winward Islands
Zambia 25	RNR
Zanzibar	EAZ
Zimbabwe	ZW

Declarations and Reservations

(Unless otherwise indicated, the declarations and reservations were made upon ratification, accession or succession. For territorial applications, see hereinafter.)

Albania [up]

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

Australia [up]

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

Austria [up]

15 October 1971

Austria will not in future apply annex 1 to the Convention.

Barbados 12

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

Botswana

Excluding annexes 1 and 2.

Bulgaria 13,14

With reservations to the following provisions

(a)

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

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

Chile [up]

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

Cyprus [up]

Reservations

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

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

Declarations

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

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

Czech Republic 7

Denmark [up]

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

Dominican Republic [up]

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

Fiji 12

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

Finland [up]

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

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

France [up]

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

Ghana [up]

Reservations

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

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

Guatemala [up]

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

26 September 1962

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

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

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

Hungary 13,15

Iceland [up]

Declaration

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

India [up]

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

Ireland [up]

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

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

Israel [up]

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

Jamaica [up]

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

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

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

Japan [up]

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

Malawi [up]

Excluding annexes 1 and 2 from the application of the Convention.

Malaysia [up]

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

Malta [up]

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

Monaco [up]

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

Netherlands [up]

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

New Zealand [up]

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

Norway [up]

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

Papua New Guinea [up]

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

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

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

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

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

Philippines

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

Portugal [up]

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

Romania 13,16

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

Russian Federation 13,17

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

San Marino [up]

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

Senegal [up]

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

Sierra Leone [up]

Reservations

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

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

Declarations

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

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

Singapore [up]

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

Slovakia 7 [up]

South Africa [up]

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

Sweden [up]

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

Trinidad and Tobago [up]

Subject to the exclusion of annexes 1 and 2.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 18

Subject to the following reservations

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

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

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

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

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

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

Venezuela 13,19

Article 31

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

Article 33

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

Declarations and Reservations made upon notification of territorial application

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

Netherlands [up]

Netherlands New Guinea

Excluding annexes 1 and 2

Netherlands Antilles 8 [up]

Excluding annexes 1 and 2

New Zealand [up]

Trust Territory of Western Samoa

Excluding annexes 1 and 2.

Portugal 6 [up]

Portuguese Overseas Provinces

(excluding Macao )

Subject to the declaration made on accession by the Govern- ment of Portugal

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [up]

Isle of Man [up]

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

Bailiwick of Guernsey

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

Reservations

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

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

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

States of Jersey

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

Reservations

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

Aden Colony, British Guiana , and Seychelles

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

Reservations

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

Cyprus24

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

Gibraltar [up]

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

Reservation

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

British Honduras [up]

Reservations

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

Uganda [up]

Reservation

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

Jamaica24

Reservation

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

St. Lucia and Trinidad 24

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

Reservations

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

Mauritius

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

Reservations

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

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

Singapore 24

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

Malta 24

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

Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland 22

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

St. Vincent [up]

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

Reservations

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

North Borneo

Reservations

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

Sierra Leone 24

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

Barbados 24

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

Hong Kong 5 [up]

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

Reservations

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

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

Bahamas [up]

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

Swaziland and Grenada

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

Fiji 24

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

Notes

1. Amendments to the Convention were proposed by the Governments of Austria (communicated by circular letter 8 October 1962 ) and France (communicated by circular letter of 11 March 1964 ). The proposed amendments were not put into effect since the conditions set forth in article 31 of the Convention were not met

2. Resolutions adopted by the Economic and Social Council, during its seventh session (E/1065), p. 8

3. The Republic of Viet-Nam had acceded to the Convention on 2 November 1953 notifying VN as a distinguishing sign of vehicles in international traffic

4. Accession on behalf of the Republic of China on 27 June 1957 . See note concerning signatures, ratifications, accessions, etc. on behalf of China

In communications addressed to the Secretary-General, with reference to the above-mentioned accession, communications have been addressed to the Secretary-General by the Governments of Poland, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Yugoslavia stating that, since their Governments did not recognize the Nationalist Chinese authorities as the Government of China, they could not regard the said accession as valid. The Permanent Missions of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics further stated that the sole authorities entitled to act for China and the Chinese people in the United Nations and in international relations, and to sign, ratify, accede or denounce treaties, conventions and agreements on behalf of China, were the Government of the People's Republic of China and its duly appointed representatives

In a note addressed to the Secretary-General, the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations stated that the Government of the Republic of China was the only legal Government which represented China and the Chinese people in international relations and that, therefore, the allegations made in the above-mentioned communica tions as to the lack of validity of the signature or ratification in question had no legal foundation whatever

5. On 6 and 10 June 1997, respectively, Secretary-General received communications regarding the status of Hong Kong from China and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (see also note 2 under "China" and note 2 under "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" in the "Historical Information" section in the front matter of this volume). Upon resuming the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong , China notified the Secretary-General that the Convention will also apply to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

In addition, the notification made by the Government of China contained the following declaration

1. In accordance with paragraph 1 of article 2 of the Convention, annexes 1 and 2 to the Convention are excluded from application in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

2. In accordance with section IV (b) of annex 6 to the Convention, in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region an articulated vehicle is neither permitted to draw a trailer nor to be used for the transport of passengers

3. In connection with article 26 (c) of the Convention cycles in international traffic admitted to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall, from nightfall and during the night or whenever atmospheric conditions render it necessary, show only a white light in front and show to the rear both a red light and a red reflex reflector

4. In connection with section II of annex 6, in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region every motor vehicle other than a motor cycle with or without a sidecar, shall be equipped with direction indicators of one of the types described in paragraph (1) of section II

5. The Government of the People's Republic of China has reservation to article 33 of the Convention

6. The accession by the Taiwan authorities on 27 June 1957 by usurping the name of " China " to the Convention is illegal and therefore null and void

6. On 24 September 1999, the Government of Portugal informed the Secretary-General that the Convention will apply to Macau

In a communication received on 1 November 1999, the Government of Portugal notified the Secretary-General that "...in accordance with the section IV (b) of annex 6 of the Convention, in Macau it will only be permitted one trailer to be drawn by a vehicle and it will not be permitted an articulated vehicle to draw a trailer, and it will not be permitted articulated vehicles for the transport of passengers.

Subsequently, on 9 and 15 December 1999, the Secretary-General received communications regarding the status of Macao from China and Portugal (see also note 3 under "China" and note 1 under "Portgual" in the "Historical Information" section in the front matter of this volume). Upon resuming the exercise of sovereignty over Macao , China notified the Secretary-General that the Convention will also apply to the Macao Special Administrative Region

7. Czechoslovakia had signed and ratified the Convention on 28 December 1949 and 3 November 1950, respectively, choosing the letters "CS" as distinguishing sign and with a reservation. For the text of the reservation, see United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 125, p. 53. See also note 1 under " Czech Republic " and note 1 under " Slovakia " in the "Historical Information" section in the front matter of this volume

It should also be noted that, upon succession, the Government of Slovakia had selected the distinctive letters "SQ" in application of paragraph 3 of annex 4. Subsequently, on 14 April 1993 , the Government of Slovakia notified the Secretary-General that it had replaced those letters by "SK

8. See note 1 under " Netherlands " regarding Aruba/Netherlands Antillies in the "Historical Information" section in the front matter of this volume

9. Regarding Tokelau the Government of NZ confirmed as follows to the Secretary Genreal of the UN

Consistent with International law, New Zealand regards all treaty actions as extending to Tokelau as a non-self governing territory of NZ unless express provision to the contrary is included in the relevant treaty instrument.

10. In communications addressed to the Secretary-General with reference to the accession by the Republic of Korea, the Permanent Representatives of the Permanent Missions to the United Nations of Bulgaria, Mongolia and Romania stated that their Governments considered the said accession as null and void since the authorities of South Korea had no right or competence whatsoever to speak on behalf of Korea

11. The former Yugoslavia had signed and ratified the Convention on 19 September 1949 and 8 October 1956, respectively, adopting the letters "YU" as Distinguishing sign of vehicles in International Traffic. See also note 1 under "Bosnia and Herzegovina", "Croatia", "former Yugoslavia", "Slovenia", "The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" and "Yugoslavia" in the "Historical Information" section in the front matter of this volume

12. See under "Declarations and Reservations made upon notification of territorial application

13. The Government of the United Kingdom has informed the Secretary-General that it is unable to accept [the reservation to article 33 of the Convention] because in its view it is not of the kind which intending parties to the Convention have the right to make

14. Subsequently, in a notification received on 6 May 1994 , the Government of Bulgaria notified the Secretary-General that it had decided to withdraw the reservation made upon accession with regard to article 33. For the text of the reservation, see United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 453, p. 354. See also note 13 in this chapter

15. In a communication received on 8 December 1989, the Government of Hungary notified the Secretary-General that it had decided to withdraw its reservation to article 33 of the Convention made upon accession. For the text of the reservation see United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 434, p. 288. See also note 13 in this chapter

16. The Government of the United States of America has informed the Secretary-General that it has no objection to this reservation, but "considers that it may and hereby states that it will apply this reservation reciprocally with respect to Romania

17. The Government of the United States of America has informed the Secretary-General that it has no objection to this reservation, but "considers that it may and hereby states that it will apply this reservation reciprocally with respect to the Soviet Union

The Governments of Greece and of the Netherlands informed the Secretary-General that they do not consider themselves bound by the provisions to which the reservation is made, as far as the Soviet Union is concerned

18. At the 1949 United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport, the Conference placed on record that there would be no objection to a reservation by the United Kingdom in respect of article 26 of the Convention. In the letter transmitting the instrument of ratification of the Convention, the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom drew the attention of the Secretary-General to the fact that ". . the reservation made in respect of article 26 of the Convention omits the phrase `and a white surface' between the words `a red reflex reflector' and the words `in accordance with the domestic legislation of the United Kingdom,' which were included in the text of the reservation set out in sub-paragraph (d) of paragraph 7 of the Final Act of the United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport, 1949. This omission is occasioned by the fact that the white surface requirement has since been repealed by United Kingdom legislation.

19. The Government of the Republic of Viet-Nam had informed the Secretary-General that it objects to the reservation made to article 33 of the Convention

20. In a communication received by the Secretary-General on 12 June 1972, the Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, upon instructions from his Government, made the following statement

Japan has assumed as of May 15, 1972 full responsibility and authority for the exercise of all and any powers of administration, legislation and jurisdiction over "Okinawa" in accordance with the Agreement between Japan and the United States of America concerning the Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands signed on June 17, 1971. Under the United States administration, all vehicles were required to keep to the right side of the road in Okinawa . Upon reversion of Okinawa to Japan, the Government of Japan began to take the measures, in conformity with Article 9, paragraph 1 of the Convention on Road Traffic, necessary for shifting the side to which vehicles are required to keep in Okinawa from the right to the left so that there shall be uniformity with the rest of Japan. It is estimated that it will take at least three years before the changes may be smoothly carried out.

Subsequently, in a communication received on 21 August 1978, the Government of Japan informed the Secretary-General that "the said change was completed as of July 30, 1978, there being now the uniformity in Okinawa with the rest of Japan in conformity with article 9, paragraph 1 of the said Convention

21. In a communication received on 11 May 1971, the Government of the United Kingdom informed the Secretary-General of the follow- ing

At the time of the notification of the extension of this Convention to Jamaica in 1959, the Cayman Islands were a dependency of Jamaica , and the extension of the Convention to Jamaica therefore extended it automatically to the Cayman Islands

The Convention continued to apply and still applies to the Cayman Islands , which, when Jamaica became independent remained a territory for whose international relations the United Kingdom is responsible.

22. See note 1 under "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" in the "Historical Information" section of the UN Treaty Database

23. See under "Declarations and Reservations

24. For declarations and reservations made by these territories upon acc ession or notification of succession after attaining statehood, see under "Declarations and Reservations

25. Distinctive letters notified to the Secretary-General of the UN, prior to the independence of that country, by the Government responsible for its international relations

26. As from 15 May 2003 . Previously: "RB

27. From 1 July 1976 to 1 January 1996 : "FR

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Pacific Islands Treaty Series

STATUS REPORT

CONVENTION ON ROAD TRAFFIC