Related documents
Uganda
Traffic and Road Safety Act, 1998
Chapter 361
- There are multiple commencements
- [This is the version of this document from 22 May 2020.]
- [Note: The version of the Act as at 31 December 2000 was revised and consolidated by the Law Reform Commission of Uganda. All subsequent amendments have been researched and applied by Laws.Africa for ULII.]
Provisions | Status |
---|---|
Part I, section 1, section 2(1)(d), 2(1)(e), 2(1)(f), 2(1)(g), 2(1)(h), 2(1)(i), 2(1)(j), 2(1)(k), 2(1)(l), 2(1)(m), 2(1)(n), 2(1)(o), 2(1)(p), 2(1)(q), 2(1)(r), 2(1)(s), 2(1)(t), 2(1)(u), 2(1)(v), 2(1)(w), 2(1)(x), 2(1)(y), 2(1)(z), 2(1)(aa), 2(1)(bb), 2(1)(cc), 2(1)(dd), 2(1)(ee), 2(1)(ff), 2(1)(gg), 2(1)(hh), 2(1)(ii), 2(1)(jj), 2(1)(kk), 2(1)(ll), 2(1)(mm), 2(1)(nn), 2(1)(oo), 2(1)(pp), 2(1)(qq), 2(1)(rr), 2(1)(ss), 2(1)(tt), 2(1)(uu), 2(1)(vv), 2(1)(ww), 2(1)(xx), 2(1)(yy), 2(1)(zz), 2(1)(aaa), 2(1)(bbb), 2(1)(ccc), 2(1)(ddd), 2(1)(eee), 2(1)(fff), 2(1)(ggg), 2(1)(hhh), 2(1)(iii), 2(1)(jjj), 2(1)(kkk), 2(1)(lll), 2(1)(mmm), 2(1)(nnn), 2(1)(ooo), 2(1)(ppp), 2(1)(qqq), 2(1)(rrr), 2(1)(sss), 2(1)(ttt), 2(2), 2(3), 2(4); Part II (section 3–9); Part III (section 10–34); Part IV (section 35–59); Part V (section 60–106); Part VI, section 111, section 112–131; Part VII (section 132–141); Part VIII (section 142–167); Part IX (section 168–170); Part X (section 171–180) | commenced on 11 September 1998. |
Part III, section 17(4), 17(5) | commenced on 8 December 2006 by Act 32 of 2006. |
Part VI, section 107–110 | commenced on 1 December 2008 by Statutory Instrument 54 of 2008. |
Part III, section 31(1a) | commenced on 1 July 2016 by Act 14 of 2016. |
Part I, section 2(1)(c)(i), 2(1)(c)(ii), 2(1)(c)(iii), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(c); Part II, section 3A; Part III, section 10(1), 10(2), section 11(1)(n), 11(1)(o), section 13(5a), 13(5b), 13(5c), 13(5d), section 14(1), 14(2), 14(3); Part VI, section 108(3), 108(4), 108(5), 108(6), 108(7), section 111(1), 111(2), 111(3), section 113(6), section 122A, section 123(5)(a), 123(5)(b), section 125A, section 125B, section 129(1), 129(2); Part VIA (section 131A–131H); Part X, section 179(1), 179(2) | commenced on 22 May 2020 by Act 6 of 2020. |
Part I, section 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(c); Part II, subpart (section 6–9); Part III, subpart (section 15–17); subpart (section 18–29); subpart (section 30–34); Part IV, subpart (section 35–45); subpart (section 46–59); Part V, subpart (section 60–66); subpart (section 67–106); Part VIII, subpart (section 142–158); subpart (section 159–167) | not yet commenced. |
- [Amended by Finance Act, 2006 (Act 32 of 2006) on 8 December 2006]
- [Amended by Finance Act, 2013 (Act 18 of 2013) on 1 July 2013]
- [Amended by Finance Act, 2016 (Act 14 of 2016) on 1 July 2016]
- [Amended by Roads Act, 2019 (Act 16 of 2019) on 25 September 2019]
- [Amended by Traffic and Road Safety Act, 1998 (Amendment) Act, 2020 (Act 6 of 2020) on 22 May 2020]
Part I – Preliminary
1. Commencement
This Act shall come into force on such date as the Minister may, by statutory instrument appoint; but the Minister may appoint different dates for different provisions of this Act.2. Interpretation
Part II – Administration
3. Chief licensing officer of motor vehicles
The head of the department of transport regulation and safety is designated as the chief licensing officer.[section 3 substituted by section 2 of Act 6 of 2020]3A. Functions of the chief licensing officer of motor vehicles
The person designated as chief licensing officer under section 3 shall perform the following functions—4. Licensing officers, etc.
5. Control by Minister
The chief licensing officer shall be subject to the overall control of the Minister on matters of policy and shall comply with any directions on such matters given by the Minister.Records
6. Licensing year defined
Except as provided in section 60, “licensing year” means a period of twelve months beginning with the date of first registration of the motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant.7. Registers
8. Searches
9. Certified copies
Part III – Registration and licensing of motor vehicles, etc.
10. Prohibition of possession of motor vehicles, etc. without registration
11. Classification of motor vehicles, etc.
12. Application for registration of motor vehicles
An application for the registration of a motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant shall be made to the chief licensing officer in the manner prescribed by regulations.[section 12 substituted by section 8 of Act 6 of 2020]13. Registration of motor vehicles, etc.
14. Re-registration of motor vehicles
Licensing of motor vehicles, etc.
15. ***
[section 15 repealed by section 11 of Act 6 of 2020]16. ***
[section 16 repealed by section 12 of Act 6 of 2020]17. ***
[section 17 amended by section 4 of Act 32 of 2006 and repealed by section 13 of Act 6 of 2020]Alteration of records
18. Change of registration particulars
19. Cancellation of registration on destruction or permanent removal of motor vehicle, etc.
20. ***
[section 20 repealed by section 15 of Act 6 of 2020]21. No licence for deregistered vehicle until reregistered
Where the registration of a motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant has been cancelled, a licence shall not be issued in respect of it until it is again registered and the prescribed registration fee is paid.22. Change of classification for licences
23. ***
[section 23 repealed by section 16 of Act 6 of 2020]24. Application for dealer’s plates and dealer’s vehicle licence
A dealer in, or manufacturer of, or repairer of, motor vehicles, trailers or engineering plant may apply to a licensing officer in the prescribed form accompanied by the prescribed fee for one or more sets of special registration plates, in this Part of this Act referred to as dealer’s plates, and a dealer’s vehicle licence in respect of each set of dealer’s plates.25. Issue of dealer’s plates and dealer’s vehicle licence
Upon receipt of an application under section 24, a licensing officer shall, if satisfied that the applicant is a dealer in, manufacturer of, or repairer of, motor vehicles, trailers or engineering plant, issue him or her with the vehicle dealer’s plates and dealer’s vehicle licence applied for.26. Use of dealer’s plates
27. Cancellation of dealer’s vehicle licence
28. Return of dealer’s plates
When a dealer’s vehicle licence expires the holder of the licence shall return the dealer’s plates relating to the licence to a licensing officer; except that the dealer’s plates may be retained by the holder of a dealer’s vehicle licence who is issued with a new dealer’s vehicle licence in respect of the same plates.29. Licence for manufacturing or dealing in motor vehicles, etc. and spare parts
Supplementary provisions
30. Presumption of owner of vehicle
The person in whose name a motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant not subject to a hiring agreement, or a hire-purchase agreement or a finance lease agreement is registered shall, unless the contrary is proved, be presumed to be the owner of the motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant.31. Notice of change of ownership
32. Exemption from registration, licensing, etc.
The Minister may, by statutory order, for a fixed period prescribed in the order, provide for the exemption, either wholly or partially, and either unconditionally or upon conditions, of persons or of their motor vehicles, trailers or engineering plant or of any classes of such persons or motor vehicles, trailers or engineering plant, from any of the requirements of this Part or regulations made under or by virtue of this Part.33. Offences and penalties
34. Regulations for purposes of Part III
Regulations may be made under section 178 for all or any of the following purposes—Part IV – Driving licences
Issue of driving licences
35. Prohibition of driving without a valid driving licence
36. Grouping of motor vehicles, etc. for driving licences
37. Licensing of driving schools and instructors
38. Learner drivers
39. Learner driving licence
40. “L” Plates
41. Driving tests
42. Driving licences
43. Conditional driving licences
Where the applicant for a driving licence is a person suffering from any bodily defect or incapacity, any driving licence issued under section 42 may be issued conditionally upon the observance of the conditions set in it, including, where appropriate, a condition that the driving licence shall relate only to a specified class of motor vehicle especially constructed or adapted for the applicant’s use.44. Cancellation of documents, etc. issued corruptly
45. Special provisions for public service vehicles
Disqualification and endorsement of driving licence
46. Mandatory cancellation or suspension of driving licence
47. Particulars of convictions to be endorsed
Any court before which a holder of a licence specified in section 69 or the driver of a vehicle operating under such a licence is convicted of an offence against this Act shall endorse the particulars of the conviction on the licence and notify the particulars of the conviction to the secretary to the board and the Inspector General of Police.48. Discretionary powers of cancellation or suspension
49. Endorsement
A court before which a person is convicted of any offence under this Act shall endorse the particulars of the conviction on the convicted person’s driving licence.50. Appeal
An appeal shall lie against an order made by the court under section 46, 48 or 49 in the same manner as an appeal against a conviction, and, if an appeal is lodged, the court making the order or the court to which the appeal lies may suspend the operation of the order pending the determination of the appeal.51. Issue of duplicate or substitute driving licences
52. Production of driving licence on cancellation or endorsement
Every person whose driving licence is suspended or cancelled or whose driving licence is required for endorsement under section 46, 48 or 49 shall surrender the driving licence to the court for particulars of the conviction to be endorsed on the driving licence.53. Custody of driving licence while cancelled, etc.
Where the court cancels or suspends a driving licence or orders a driving licence to be endorsed under section 46, 48 or 49, the court shall send notice of it to the chief licensing officer and shall, in every case where a person’s driving licence is cancelled or suspended, forward the driving licence to the chief licensing officer.54. Application for driving licence after cancellation
A person who applies for a driving licence after a period of cancellation has expired shall—55. Removal of disqualification
56. Automatic disqualification
Any person who—57. Offences and penalties
Any person who—58. Offences for applying, obtaining driving licence or driving while disqualified
59. Regulations for purposes of Part IV
Regulations may be made under section 178 for all or any of the following purposes—Part V – Licences for public service, private omnibus and goods vehicles
Transport Licensing Board
60. Licensing year defined for purposes of Part V
In this Part of this Act, the expression “licensing year” means a period of twelve months from the date of issue of the licence.61. Competent Authority
62. ***
[section 62 repealed by section 32 of Act 6 of 2020]63. ***
[section 63 repealed by section 33 of Act 6 of 2020]64. ***
[section 64 repealed by section 34 of Act 6 of 2020]65. ***
[section 65 repealed by section 35 of Act 6 of 2020]66. ***
[section 66 repealed by section 36 of Act 6 of 2020]Registers
67. Registers
68. Searches
All registers in the custody of the board may be open for inspection by members of the public during prescribed hours and upon payment of the prescribed fee.69. Certified copies
70. Classification of vehicle operator’s licence
70A. Licensing and regulation of special networks using online digital application
71. Minister to organise public transport and keep statistics, etc.
71A. Regulation of entry into the market
The Minister may by regulations—72. Application for private and contract omnibus operator’s licence
73. Omnibus and country taxicab operator’s licence
74. Procedure of board for public omnibus and country taxicab operator’s licence
75. Grant of omnibus and country taxicab operator’s licence
76. Public omnibus and country taxicab operator to give notice to the board
77. Road services not to be suspended without permission
78. Temporary replacement of authorised vehicles
79. Duration of licences
80. Extension of routes
The board may, at any time extend or vary any route or combination of routes in respect of which it has granted a licence under section 75 notwithstanding that the extension or variation has not been advertised in accordance with section 74 if the board is satisfied that the extension or variation is in the public interest and is of such a nature as not to affect adversely the interests of any other person providing transport facilities.81. Temporary public omnibus operator’s licence
82. Temporary licence
83. Application for goods operator’s licence
84. Grant of goods operator’s licence
85. Application for town taxicab and rental vehicle operator’s licence
86. Town taxicab and rental vehicle operator’s licence
A rental vehicle operator’s licence shall authorise the holder of the licence to hire out the motor vehicles specified in the licence for hire or reward at an agreed rate or sum on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.87. Grant of town taxicab, country taxicab and rental vehicle operator’s licence
88. Grant of owner’s transport vehicle permit
Any employer of labour may make an application to the licensing officer in the prescribed manner and, on payment of the prescribed fee, may be granted a permit to be known as an “owner’s transport vehicle permit” to carry his or her employees or agents on any goods vehicle owned by him or her to and from their places of work.89. Renewal of certain vehicle operator’s licence
90. Amendment of licence
91. Review of licences
92. Appeal to the Minister
93. Protection of Minister and members of board from civil suit
No action shall be brought against the Minister, or against a member of the board in respect of any act done or order made by him or her in good faith in the execution of any function conferred on him or her under this Act and the regulations.94. Operator’s vehicle licence
95. Cancellation of licence
96. Alteration of records
97. Recovery of fares and wilful damage to public service vehicle
98. Recovery of fares by passenger
99. Prohibition of touting
100. Goods vehicle to be licenced to carry passengers
101. ***
[section 101 repealed by section 47 of Act 6 of 2020]102. ***
[section 102 repealed by section 48 of Act 6 of 2020]103. Inspection of goods vehicles
Before issuing a licence to carry passengers or goods or both in respect of any goods vehicle, the board shall require the applicant to produce an inspection report showing that the goods vehicle has been examined by an inspector of vehicles and that a certificate of fitness to carry passengers or goods has been issued in respect of the goods vehicle.104. Limitation of loads
105. Offences and penalties
106. Regulations for purposes of Part V
Regulations may be made under section 178 for all or any of the following purposes —Part VI – Use of motor vehicles
107. Condition of motor vehicle, etc. for use on a road
108. Causing bodily injury or death through reckless driving
109. ***
[section 109 repealed by section 53 of Act 6 of 2020]110. ***
[section 110 repealed by section 54 of Act 6 of 2020]111. Driving with blood alcohol concentration above the prescribed limit
112. Driving under the influence of drugs
113. Blood tests
114. Breath analyser test
A police officer in uniform may in any reasonable place carry out on any person who may be required by him or her to provide a specimen of blood under section 113, a breath analyser test; and subsections (3) and (4) of that section shall, with the necessary modifications, apply to him or her as they apply to a person required to provide a specimen of blood and who fails or refuses to do so.115. Persons authorised to withdraw and analyse blood
116. Detention of persons while affected by alcohol
Any person required to provide a specimen of blood for laboratory test under this Act may after that be detained at a police station until it appears to a police officer that the proportion of alcohol in that person’s blood does not exceed the prescribed limit and in any case not exceeding twelve hours.117. ***
[section 117 repealed by section 58 of Act 6 of 2020]118. ***
[section 118 repealed by section 59 of Act 6 of 2020]119. Careless or inconsiderate use of motor vehicle
Every person who uses, parks or stands a motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant on any road carelessly or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred currency points or imprisonment not exceeding six months or both.[section 119 amended by section 60 of Act 6 of 2020]120. ***
[section 120 repealed by section 79(3) of Act 16 of 2019]121. Driving while disqualified or without driving licence
122. Compliance with speed limit not a defence to other charges
It is no defence in any proceedings for an offence relating to the use of a motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant on any road, other than an offence of exceeding any speed limit, that at the time of the alleged offence the motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant was being driven at a speed not exceeding any limit of speed duly fixed in respect of that road and motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant.122A. Assignment of demerit points on conviction for certain offences
123. Emergency motor vehicles
124. Compulsory stopping at railway crossings
125. Duties of drivers in case of accidents
125A. Access to care without regard to ability to pay
A person involved in an accident shall have access to medical treatment at a hospital, clinic or any other health facility without proof of financial ability to pay until he or she has been stabilised.[section 125A inserted by section 64 of Act 6 of 2020]125B. Custody or care of accident patients
126. Riding in a dangerous position
127. Restriction on pillion riding
128. Obstructing driver of a motor vehicle, etc.
129. Causing damage to a motor vehicle
130. Taking motor vehicle without owner’s consent
131. Regulations for purposes of Part VI
Regulations may be made under section 178 for all or any of the following purposes—Part VIA – Safer vehicles
[Part VIA inserted by section 70 of Act 6 of 2020]131A. Standards for safety and environmentally compliant motor vehicles, trailers and engineering plants
131B. Procedures for testing motor vehicles
The Minister may, by statutory instrument, prescribe procedures and arrangements for determining whether motor vehicles, trailers or engineering plants comply with this Act including the procedure for—131C. Modification of motor vehicles
131D. Importation and supply of motor vehicles
131E. Importation and supply of used motor vehicles
131F. Importation of vehicles requiring modification
A person may import a non-standard motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant for purposes of modification with the written approval of the chief licensing officer and upon such terms and conditions as the chief licensing officer may determine.[section 131F inserted by section 70 of Act 6 of 2020]131G. Use of vintage, specialist and enthusiast vehicles
131H. Periodic inspection of motor vehicles for environmental and road safety compliance
All motor vehicles shall be inspected periodically for environmental and road safety compliance and in the case of public service vehicles, every after one year and other motor vehicles, every after two years.[section 131H inserted by section 70 of Act 6 of 2020]Part VII – Control of traffic
132. ***
[section 132 repealed by section 79(3) of Act 16 of 2019]133. ***
[section 133 repealed by section 79(3) of Act 16 of 2019]134. Permits for herds, funeral procession or parade
135. ***
[section 135 repealed by section 72 of Act 6 of 2020]136. Closure of road
The Minister may, by statutory order, close any road or part of a road to all motor vehicles, trailers or engineering plant for such period as may be specified in the order.137. Restriction of traffic on road
The Minister may, by statutory order, restrict the use of a road or any part of the road to such classes or descriptions of motor vehicles, trailers or engineering plant and for such period as may be specified in the order.138. One-way traffic
The Minister may, by statutory order, restrict the use of a road to one-way traffic for such period as may be specified in the order.139. ***
[section 139 repealed by section 79(3) of Act 16 of 2019]140. ***
[section 140 repealed by section 79(3) of Act 16 of 2019]141. Regulations for purposes of Part VII
Regulations may be made under section 178 for all or any of the following purposes—Part VIII – Enforcement
Enforcement
142. Duties of police
Without prejudice to any powers or duties of the police under this Act or any other enactment for the time being in force, it shall be the duty of the police—143. Records of traffic offences
144. Filing of accident reports and drivers files
The Inspector General of Police shall maintain or cause to be maintained a suitable system of filing traffic accident reports and individual drivers files, a record of traffic accidents, warnings, arrests, convictions and complaints reported for each driver.145. Inspector General to submit annual traffic accident and safety report
The Inspector General of Police shall annually prepare and submit to the Minister a traffic report containing information on traffic matters in Uganda as follows—146. Power to demand production of driving licence
147. Power to demand name and address of owner of vehicle
The driver of a motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant shall stop at the request of a police officer in uniform; and if the police officer has reasonable cause to demand his or her name and address, he or she shall give the police officer his or her name and address and, if he or she is not the owner of the vehicle, shall also give the name and address of the owner.148. Employer to keep record of driver
Any person who employs any other person to drive a motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant shall at all times keep a written record of the name and driving licence number of that other person, and shall on demand by a police officer in uniform, produce the record for inspection.149. Owner or hirer, etc. to give identity of driver
Where any police officer in uniform has reason to suspect that an offence in connection with a motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant has been committed —150. Examination of vehicle on road
151. Power to order examination
152. Examination by inspector
153. ***
[section 153 repealed by section 79(3) of Act 16 of 2019]154. ***
[section 154 repealed by section 79(3) of Act 16 of 2019]155. Removal of vehicle from parking place
156. Police may require motor vehicle to be driven to police station
A police officer in uniform may, after stopping any motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant which he or she reasonably suspects of being, or having been, used in the commission of an offence, order its driver to drive it to the nearest convenient police station in order that—157. False information
No person shall make any statement when required to do so under this Part of this Act which to his or her knowledge is false or in any respect misleading.158. Offences and penalties
Any person who—Institution of proceedings
159. Warning to be given before prosecution
160. Application of Part VIII
161. Institution of traffic proceedings
162. Traffic charge and summons
163. Irregularities in proceedings
No finding, sentence or order passed by a court of competent jurisdiction shall be reversed or altered on appeal or revision on account of any error, omission or irregularity in the complaint, summons, warrant, charge, traffic charge and summons, order, judgment or other proceedings under this Part unless the error, omission, irregularity or misdirection has in fact occasioned a failure of justice; and in determining whether any error, omission or irregularity has occasioned a failure of justice, the court shall have regard to the question whether the objection could and should have been raised at an earlier stage in the proceedings under this Act.164. Admissibility of certificates
A copy of any certificate of fitness purporting to be issued by a vehicle inspector to the effect that he or she has examined a motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant and as to the result of the examination shall, if certified by the chief licensing officer, be prima facie evidence in any court proceedings of the facts contained in it; but the court may summon and examine the vehicle inspector as to the subject matter of his or her certificate.165. Punishment without prosecution
166. Appointment of traffic wardens
167. Regulations
Regulations may be made under section 178—Part IX – ***
[Part IX repealed by section 75 of Act 6 of 2020]168. ***
[section 168 repealed by section 75 of Act 6 of 2020]169. ***
[section 169 repealed by section 75 of Act 6 of 2020]170. ***
[section 170 repealed by section 75 of Act 6 of 2020]Part X – Miscellaneous
171. Persons propelling pushcarts or riding animals, etc.
Every person propelling any pushcart, or riding a bicycle or animal upon a road or driving any animal drawn vehicle shall, mutatis mutandis, be subject to this Act.172. Restrictions on riding bicycles
Not more than one person over the age of seven years shall be carried in addition to the driver on any bicycle, nor shall any such one person be so carried otherwise than sitting on a carrier securely fixed to the bicycle or on a step especially fitted to carry a passenger.173. ***
[section 173 repealed by section 79(3) of Act 16 of 2019]174. Application of the Act to persons in the public service and vehicles of the Government
Except where otherwise permitted by this Act or by any other written law, this Act applies to persons in and vehicles owned by or used in the service of the Government or any local authority.175. Exemptions
The Minister may, by statutory order, grant an exemption, either wholly or partially, and either unconditionally or upon conditions, to persons or to their vehicles from any of the requirements of this Act.176. General penalties for contravention
177. Compensation
Any court which convicts any person of an offence under this Act may direct that an amount not exceeding 50 percent out of any fine paid by the convicted person be paid to any person who has suffered any loss as a result of the offence.178. General power to make regulations
179. Minister’s power to amend First Schedule
180. Repeals and transitional provisions
History of this document
22 May 2020 this version
25 September 2019
Amended by
Roads Act, 2019
Read this version
01 July 2016
Amended by
Finance Act, 2016
Read this version
01 July 2013
Amended by
Finance Act, 2013
Read this version
01 December 2008
08 December 2006
Amended by
Finance Act, 2006
Read this version
31 December 2000
Consolidation
Read this version
11 September 1998
Commenced
Subsidiary legislation
Title | Numbered title |
---|---|
Traffic and Road Safety (Authorised Emergency Motor Vehicle) (No. 2) Order, 2022 | Statutory Instrument 3 of 2022 |
Traffic and Road Safety (Authorised Emergency Motor Vehicle) Order, 2022 | Statutory Instrument 1 of 2022 |
Traffic and Road Safety (Driving Licences) Regulations, 2021 | Statutory Instrument 14 of 2021 |
Cited documents 0
Documents citing this one 22
Gazette 19
Legislation 3
1. | Magistrates Courts Act | 2 citations |
2. | Persons with Disabilities Act, 2020 | 2 citations |
3. | Roads Act, 2019 | 1 citation |