TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS

B. Road Traffic

Note

:

The Convention was prepared and opened for signature by the United Nations Conference on Road Traffic, held at Vienna from 7 October to 8 November 1968.  It was convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations pursuant to resolutions 1129 (XLI) and 1203 (XLII)⁴ adopted by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations on 27 July 1966 and 26 May 1967, respectively.  The Conference also prepared and opened for signature the Convention on Road Signs and Signals (see chapter XI.B-20) and adopted the Final Act.

Participant ⁵

Signature

Accession(a), Succession(d), Ratification

Albania

29 Jun 2000 a

Armenia

 8 Feb 2005 a

Austria

 8 Nov 1968

11 Aug 1981

Azerbaijan

 3 Jul 2002 a

Bahamas

14 May 1991 a

Bahrain

 4 May 1973 a

Belarus

 8 Nov 1968

18 Jun 1974

Belgium

 8 Nov 1968

16 Nov 1988

Bosnia and Herzegovina ⁶

 1 Sep 1993 d

Brazil

 8 Nov 1968

29 Oct 1980

Bulgaria

 8 Nov 1968

28 Dec 1978

Cabo Verde

12 Jun 2018 a

Central African Republic

 3 Feb 1988 a

Chile

 8 Nov 1968

Costa Rica

 8 Nov 1968

Côte d’Ivoire

24 Jul 1985 a

Croatia ⁶

23 Nov 1992 d

Cuba

30 Sep 1977 a

Czech Republic ⁷

 2 Jun 1993 d

Democratic Republic of the Congo

25 Jul 1977 a

Denmark ⁸

 8 Nov 1968

 3 Nov 1986

Ecuador

 8 Nov 1968

Estonia

24 Aug 1992 a

Ethiopia

25 Aug 2021 a

Finland

16 Dec 1969

 1 Apr 1985

France

 8 Nov 1968

 9 Dec 1971

Georgia

23 Jul 1993 a

Germany ^9, 10

 8 Nov 1968

 3 Aug 1978

Ghana

22 Aug 1969

Greece

18 Dec 1986 a

Guyana

31 Jan 1973 a

Holy See

 8 Nov 1968

Honduras

 3 Feb 2020 a

Hungary

 8 Nov 1968

16 Mar 1976

Indonesia

 8 Nov 1968

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

 8 Nov 1968

21 May 1976

Iraq

 1 Feb 2017 a

Israel

 8 Nov 1968

11 May 1971

Italy

 8 Nov 1968

 2 Oct 1996

Kazakhstan

 4 Apr 1994 a

Kenya

 9 Sep 2009 a

Kuwait

14 Mar 1980 a

Kyrgyzstan

30 Aug 2006 a

Latvia

19 Oct 1992 a

Liberia

16 Sep 2005 a

Liechtenstein

 2 Mar 2020 a

Lithuania

20 Nov 1991 a

Luxembourg

 8 Nov 1968

25 Nov 1975

Mexico

 8 Nov 1968

Monaco

 6 Jun 1978 a

Mongolia

19 Dec 1997 a

Montenegro ¹¹

23 Oct 2006 d

Morocco

29 Dec 1982 a

Myanmar

26 Jun 2019 a

Netherlands ¹²

 8 Nov 2007 a

Niger

11 Jul 1975 a

Nigeria

18 Oct 2018 a

North Macedonia ^6, 13

18 Aug 1993 d

Norway

23 Dec 1969

 1 Apr 1985

Oman

 9 Jun 2020 a

Pakistan

19 Mar 1986 a

Peru

 6 Oct 2006 a

Philippines

 8 Nov 1968

27 Dec 1973

Poland

 8 Nov 1968

23 Aug 1984

Portugal

 8 Nov 1968

30 Sep 2010

Qatar

 6 Mar 2013 a

Republic of Korea ¹⁴

29 Dec 1969

Republic of Moldova

26 May 1993 a

Romania

 8 Nov 1968

 9 Dec 1980

Russian Federation

 8 Nov 1968

 7 Jun 1974

San Marino

 8 Nov 1968

20 Jul 1970

Saudi Arabia

12 May 2016 a

Senegal

16 Aug 1972 a

Serbia ⁶

 8 Nov 1968

12 Mar 2001 d

Seychelles

11 Apr 1977 a

Slovakia ⁷

 1 Feb 1993 d

Slovenia ⁶

 6 Jul 1992 d

South Africa

 1 Nov 1977 a

Spain

 8 Nov 1968

State of Palestine

11 Nov 2019 a

Sweden

 8 Nov 1968

25 Jul 1985

Switzerland

 8 Nov 1968

11 Dec 1991

Tajikistan

 9 Mar 1994 a

Thailand

 8 Nov 1968

 1 May 2020

Tunisia

 5 Jan 2004 a

Turkey

22 Jan 2013 a

Turkmenistan

14 Jun 1993 a

Ukraine

 8 Nov 1968

12 Jul 1974

United Arab Emirates

10 Jan 2007 a

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ^15, 16

 8 Nov 1968

28 Mar 2018

Uruguay

 8 Apr 1981 a

Uzbekistan

17 Jan 1995 a

Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)

 8 Nov 1968

Viet Nam ¹⁷

20 Aug 2014 a

Zimbabwe

31 Jul 1981 a

Belarus

Reservations and declarations made upon signature and confirmed upon ratification:
       The Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 52 of the Convention on Road Traffic stating the disputes which relate to the interpretation or application of the Convention may be referred, at the request of any of the Parties, to the International Court of Justice.
       The Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic declares that the provisions of article 45 of the Convention on Road Traffic, under which a number of States may not become parties to this Convention, are discriminatory in character, and it considers that the Convention on Road Traffic should be open for participation by all interested States without any discrimination or restrictions.
       The Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic declares that the provisions of article 46 of the Convention on Road Traffic are anachronistic and at variance with the Declaration of the United Nations General Assembly on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960).

Belgium ¹⁹

16 May 1989

       Reservations to article 10 (3) and 18 (3).

Brazil ²⁰

Reservations with respect to the following articles and annex:
       – Article 20, paragraph 2 (a) and (b);
       – Article 23, paragraph 2 (a);
       – Article 40;
       – Article 41, paragraph 1 (a), (b) and (c) (partial reservations);
       – Annex 5, paragraph 5 (c); and
       – Annex 5, paragraphs 28, 39 and 41 (partial reservations).

Declarations as regards the above-mentioned partial reservations:
       (a) Brazil’s partial reservation to chapter IV (Drivers of Motor Vehicles), article 41 (Validity of Driving Permits), paragraphs 1 (a), (b), and (c), refers to the fact that drivers issued permits in left-hand drive countries cannot drive in Brazil before taking a road test for right-hand driving.
       (b) The partial reservation to Annex 5 (Technical Conditions Concerning Motor Vehicles and Trailers), chapter II (Lights and reflecting devices), paragraph 28, is against the triangular form of the reflex reflectors required for every trailer, inconvenient for Brazil since the triangular shape is used for emergency signal devices to alert drivers ahead on the road.
       (c) In Annex 5, chapter II, paragraph 39, Brazil’s reserva- tion refers solely to the amber colour of the direction-indicators, since only red lights should be used at the rear of vehicles.
       (d) The partial reservation made to Annex 5, paragraph 41, refers to the fact that in Brazil reversing lights fitted on motor vehicles shall emit only white light.

Declarations:
       – Pursuant to the provisions of chapter IV, article 41, para- graph 2 (b), Brazil refuses to recognize the validity in its territory of driving permits held by persons under eighteen years of age.
       – Pursuant to the provisions of chapter IV, article 41, paragraph (c), Brazil, referring to annexes 6 and 7 covering models of domestic driving permits, refuses to recognize the validity in its territory for the driving of motor vehicles or combinations or vehicles in Categories C, D, and E of driving permits held by persons under twenty-one yearsof age.

Bulgaria 21

Declaration made upon signature:
       The People’s Republic of Bulgaria does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 52 of the Convention on road traffic stating that disputes which relate to interpretation or application of the Convention may be refered, at the request of any one of the Parties, to the International Court of Justice.
       The People’s Republic of Bulgaria declares that the provisions of article 45 of the Convention on Road Traffic, under which a number of States may not become parties to this Convention, are discriminatory in character, and it considers that the Convention on Road Traffic should be open for participation by all interested States without any discrimination or restrictions.
       The People’s Republic of Bulgaria declares that the provisions of article 46 of the Convention on Road Traffic are anachronistic and at variance with the Declaration of the United Nations General Assembly on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.

Declaration made upon ratification:
       In the People’s Republic of Bulgaria mopeds are treated as motor cycles for the purposes of the application of the Convention on Road Traffic (art. 54, para. 2).

Côte d’Ivoire

Reservations:
       Pursuant to article 54, paragraph 1, [of the Convention] the Republic of the Ivory Coast does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 52, under which “Any dispute between two or more Contracting Parties which relates to the interpretation or application of this Convention and which the Parties are unable to settle by negotiation or other means of settlement may be referred, at the request of any of the Contracting Parties concerned, to the International Court of Justice for decision”.

Cuba

       The Republic of Cuba declares that the provisions of article 45, paragraph 1, of the Convention, which deals with matters affecting the interests of all States, are of a discriminatory nature in that they preclude the right of a number of States to become signatories and parties to the Convention, contrary to the principle of sovereign equality of States.
       The Republic of Cuba declares that the provisions of article 46 of the Convention, are not applicable as they are contrary to the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (resolution 1514), adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 14 December 1960, which proclaims the necessity of bringing to a speedy and unconditional end colonialism in all its forms and manifestations.
       The Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Cuba does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 52 of the Convention on Road Traffic regarding the referral to the International Court of Justice of any dispute with another Con- tracting Party.
       The Republic of Cuba declares that it treats mopeds as motor cycles, in accordance with article 54 (2) of the Convention.

Distinguishing Sign of Vehicles in International Traffic [article 45 (4) and article 46 (3)] (Distinctive letters notified to the Secretary-General) 18

Albania

AL

Armenia

AM

Austria

A

Azerbaijan

AZ

Bahrain

BRN

Bailiwick of Guernsey

GBG

Bailiwick of Jersey

GBJ

Belarus ³²

BY

Belgium

B

Bosnia and Herzegovina

BIH

Brazil

BR

Bulgaria

BG

Cabo Verde

CV

Central African Republic

RCA

Côte d’Ivoire

CI

Croatia

HR

Czech Republic ⁷

CZ

Democratic Republic of the Congo

ZRE

Denmark

DK

Estonia ²²

EST

Finland ³³

FIN

France ³⁴

F

Georgia

GE

Germany ⁹

D

Gibraltar

GBZ

Greece

GR

Guyana

GUY

Hungary

H

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

IR

Israel

IL

Italy

I

Kazakhstan

KZ

Kenya

E.A.K.

Kuwait

KWT

Kyrgyzstan

KG

Latvia

LV

Liechtenstein

FL

Lithuania

LT

Luxembourg

L

Monaco

MC

Mongolia

MGL

Montenegro

MNE

Morocco

MA

Myanmar

MYA

Niger

RN

Norway

N

Pakistan

PK

Philippines

RP

Poland

PL

Republic of Moldova

MD

Romania

RO

Russian Federation ²⁸

RUS

San Marino

RSM

Senegal

SN

Serbia

SRB

Seychelles

SY

Slovakia ⁷

SK

Slovenia

SLO

South Africa

ZA

State of Palestine

PS

Sweden

S

Switzerland

CH

Tajikistan

TJ

Thailand

T

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia ^6, 13

MK

Tunisia

TN

Turkmenistan ³5

TM

Ukraine ³⁰

UA

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ³⁶

UK

Uruguay

ROU

Uzbekistan

UZ

Viet Nam ¹⁷

VN

Zimbabwe

ZW

1

On 17 September 2015, the Governments of Finland and of Switzerland informed the Secretary-General that they accept the proposed amendments to articles 8 and 39 of the Convention which were transmitted by depositary notification CN.529.2015.Reissued.06102015-Eng.TREATIES-XI-B-19 of 6 October 2015.

2

The Government of Switzerland informed the Secretary-General that it accepts the proposed amendment to paragraph 1 of Annex 2 of the Convention which was transmitted by depositary notification C.N.162.2015.TREATIES-XI.B.19 of 19 March 2015.

3

Amendments proposed by the Government of Poland were circulated by the Secretary-General on 3 March 1993. Less that one-third of the Contracting Parties having informed the Secretary-General that they rejected the said proposed amendments within the period of twelve months following the date of the depositary notification (3 March 1993), the amendments were deemed to have been accepted. The Amendments entered into force on 3 September 1993 for all Contracting Parties except for the following States with respect to which only those amendments which these Parties have not rejected, will enter into force:

Denmark (26 February 1993):

“The Government of Denmark can accept the proposed amendments except for the following provisions which have to be rejected:

– Article 25, paragraph 2, according to which drivers emerging on to a motorway shall give way to vehicles travelling on it;

– Article 32, paragraph 4, concerning the use of fog lamps;

– Article 32, paragraph 7, concerning the use of driving lights;

– Annex 6, item 4, on numbering on driving permits and, consequently, article 43, paragraph 2, in so far as it refers to annex 6.”

Finland (26 February 1993):

“Finland accepts the proposed amendments to the Convention on Road Traffic, but wishes to inform the Depositary and the Contracting Parties, that if the amendments are deemed accepted, Finland will make the following reservations pursuant to article 54, paragraph 5, of the Convention:

1. Finland does not consider itself to be bound by the proposed amendment to article 18, paragraph 7, of the Convention.

2. Finland does not consider itself to be bound by the proposed amendment to article 25, paragraph 2, of the Convention.

3. Finland does not consider itself to be bound by the first sentence of the proposed amendment to article 32, paragraph 6, of the Convention.”

Germany (2 March 1993):

The Federal Republic of Germany is able to approve the proposed amendments of Poland with the following reservations:

1. Reservation concerning article 13, paragraph 2

The Federal Republic of Germany, in its national law, reserves the right not to set speed limits for certain categories of roads.

2. Reservation concerning article 19, sub-paragraph (d)

The Federal Republic of Germany does not consider itself bound by the amendments to article 19, subparagraph (d), of the Convention.

( Subsequently, on 30 November 1993, the Government of Germany notified the Secretary-General that it was withdrawing the reservation No. 2. )

3. Reservation concerning article 23, paragraph 3, subparagraphs (b), (iv) and (c)

The Federal Republic of Germany does not consider itself bound by the amendments to article 23, paragraph 3, subparagraphs (b), (iv) and (c), of the Convention.

4. Reservation concerning article 32, paragraphs 8, 10 (c) and 15

The Federal Republic of Germany does not consider itself bound by article 32, paragraphs 8 and 10 (c), of the Convention. With respect to article 32, paragraph 15, the Federal Republic of Germany reserves the right to use for warning purposes a red light on the front of certain vehicles (for example, school buses).

5. Reservation concerning article 35, paragraph 1 (c) and (d)

The Federal Republic of Germany does not consider itself bound by the amendments to article 35, paragraph 1 (c) and (d) of the Convention.

6. Reservation concerning article 41, paragraph 1 (a)

The Federal Republic of Germany reserves the right, in its national law, not to require the possession of a driving permit for drivers of certain categories of vehicles.

7. Reservation concerning article 41, paragraph 4

The Federal Republic of Germany reserves the right, in its national law, to indicate in some other way on the driving permit restrictions of the driving permit to certain vehicles of a particular category.

8. Reservation concerning annex 6 (Domestic driving permit), paragraph 4 of the Convention

The Federal Republic of Germanous not consider itself bound by the numbering of the entries on the driving licence in annex 6 (Domestic driving permit), paragraph 4, of the Convention.

Norway (26 February 1993):

“(i) Norway rejects the proposed amendment to the Convention’s article 25, paragraph 2, which states that priority should be given to vehicles entering highways, since Norway favours a continued applica tion of the so-called `zip-fastener’-principle, and that (ii) Norway accepts the other amendments proposed by Poland.”

Sweden (3 March 1993):

“The Swedish Government wishes to inform the Secretary-General, in his capacity as depositary of the said Convention, of its rejection of the proposed amendment to article 25, paragraph 2 of the Convention.”

Other amendments to the Agreement were proposed by various States and adopted as follows:

* On 28 September 2005, the Government of Finland notified the Secretary-General, pursuant to article 49 (1) of the Convention that Finland has no objection to the proposed amendments transmitted on 28 September 2004.

The Government of Finland furthermore informed the Secretary-General of the following:

“… the Government of Finland wishes to recall that the acceptance of the amendments shall not affect the reservations made by the Government of Finland to the said Convention.

Also Finland wishes to point out that if the proposed amendments are accepted, the reservation made by the Government of Finland to paragraph 4 a) of the Annex 3 of the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic shall consequently apply to paragraph 2 subparagraph d (i) of the Annex 33.”

4

Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, Forty-first Session, Supplement No. 1 (E/4264), p. 36, and  ibid., Forty-second Session, Supplement No. 1 (E/4393), p. 22.

5

Signed on behalf of the Republic of China on 19 December 1969.  See note concerning signatures, ratifications, accessions, etc. on behalf of China (note 1 under “China” in the “Historical Information” section in the front matter of this volume.).

With reference to the above-mentioned signature, communications have been addressed to the Secretary-General by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania and the Permanent Missions to the United Nations of Bulgaria, Mongolia, Romania and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, stating that their Governments did not recognize the said signature as valid since the only Government authorized to represent China and to assume obligations on its behalf was the Government of the People’s Republic of China.

In letters addressed to the Secretary-General in regard to the above-mentioned communications, the Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations stated that the Republic of China, a sovereign State and Member of the United Nations, had attended the United Nations Conference on Road Traffic 1968, and contributed to the formulation of, and signed the Convention on Road Traffic and the Convention on Road Signs and Signals, and that “any statements or reservations relating to these two Conventions that are incompatible or derogatory to the legitimate position of the Government of the Republic of China shall in no way affect the rights and obligations of the Republic of China as a signatory of the said two Conventions.”

6

The former Yugoslavia had signed and ratified the Convention on 8 November 1968 and 1 October 1976, respectively, adopting the letters”YU” as Distinguishing sign of vehicles in International Traffic pursuant to article 45 (4). 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.

7

Czechoslovakia had signed and ratified the Convention on 8 November 1968 and 7 June 1978, respectively, choosing “CS” as a distinguishing sign of vehicles in international traffic [article 45(4)], with a reservation made upon signature and confirmed upon ratification and a declaration made upon ratification. For the text of the reservation and the declaration, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1092, p. 407.

Subsequently, on 22 January 1991, the Government of Czechoslovakia notified the Secretary-General of its decision to withdraw the reservation with respect to article 52 made upon signature and confirmed upon ratification.

It should be noted that, upon succession, both the Government of Czechoslovakia and the Government of Slovakia had notified that the distinguishing signs chosen in application of article 45 (4), were “CZ” and “SQ”, respectively. On 14 April 1993, the Government of Slovakia notified the Secretary-General that it had replaced its distinguishing sign “SQ” with the distinguishing sign “SK”.

See also note 1 under “Czech Republic” and note 1 under “Slovakia” in the “Historical Information” section in the front matter of this volume.

8

In a note accompanying the instrument of ratification, the Government of Denmark stated that “until further notice the [Convention] shall not apply to the Faroe Islands and Greenland”.

9

The German Democratic Republic had acceded to the Convention on 11 October 1973 choosing DDR as a distinguishing sign of vehicles in international traffic [article 45 (4)] and with a declaration. For the text of the declaration, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1042, p. 355. See also note 2 under “Germany” in the “Historical Information” section in the front matter of this volume.

10

See note 1 under “Germany” regarding Berlin (West) in the “Historical Information” section in the front matter of this volume.

11

See note 1 under “Montenegro” in the “Historical Information” section in the front matter of this volume.

12

For the Kingdom in Europe.

13

On 20 May 1994, the Secretary-General received from the Government of Greece the following objection in respect of the succession of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the Convention on Road Traffic:

“The Greek Government objects to the accession of the [former Yugoslav Republic Macedonia] to the Convention on Road Traffic (Vienna, 8 November 1968) and consequently does not regard as valid the notification by which the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia indicated the distinguishing sign “MK” it has selected for display on international traffic on vehicles registered by it.

It should also be pointed out that the Government of Greece considers the distinguishing sign selected by the [former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia] incompatible with Security Council resolution S/RES/817 (1993) adopted on 7 April 1993, concerning the admission of that State to the United Nations, to the extent that it is contrary to the name [former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia], which must, in accordance with the above-mentioned resolution, be used for all purposes within the United Nations pending settlement of the difference that has arisen over the name of that State.

Furthermore, the Greek Government would like to remind of the fact that accession of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to Convention on Road Traffic does not imply its recognition on behalf of the Greek Government.”

See also note 1 under “Greece” in the “Historical Information” section in the front matter of this volume.

14

With reference to the signature by the Republic of Korea, communications have been addressed to the Secretary-General by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania and the Permanent Missions to the United Nations of Mongolia, Romania and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, stating that their Governments considered the said signature as illegal, inasmuch as the authorities of South Korea could not act on behalf of Korea.

15

Notification made upon ratification:

“In accordance with Article 45(4), the United Kingdom notifies the Secretary-General that the distinguishing sign it has selected for display in international traffic on vehicles registered by it is ‘GB’. The UK further notifies the Secretary-General that the distinguishing sign it will use on vehicle registration certificates issued by it, as required by Article 35(1)(c)(i), is ‘UK’.”

16

On 26 February 2019, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland notified the Secretary-General that its ratification of the Convention would extend to the territories of Gibraltar, the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey, as follows:

“… the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland wishes that the ratification of the Convention of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland be extended to apply in respect of the following territories:

Gibraltar

Bailiwick of Guernsey

Bailiwick of Jersey

for whose international relations the United Kingdom is responsible, subject to the terms of the Reservations and Declarations contained [hereinafter].

The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland considers the extension of the Convention to the territories of Gibraltar, the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey to enter into force thirty days after receipt of this notification…

Gibraltar

Reservations

1. Gibraltar does not consider itself bound by the provisions of the following Articles:

a. Article 20(6)(b)

b. the second sentence of Article 23(2)(a)

c. Article 25 bis (2)

d. Article 32(6), (8), (9) and (10)

2. In relation to Article 30(4), Gibraltar does not consider itself bound by the requirements of this provision in so far as it relates to loads projecting up to 2m from the front or rear of vehicles.

3. In relation to Article 41, Gibraltar reserves the right not to permit a person to drive a vehicle, other than one brought into and only temporarily in Gibraltar, 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 a vehicle would, by the domestic legislation of Gibraltar, be required to have a special vocational license.

4. Gibraltar reserves the right, for the purposes of the application of the Convention, to treat certain categories of Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles, as cycles.

Declarations

1. Gibraltar declares that it is compliant with many of the Rules of the Road in Chapter II of the Convention through the Gibraltar Highway Code.

2. In accordance with Article 54(2), Gibraltar declares that, for the purposes of the application of the Convention it treats mopeds as motorcycles.

Notification

In accordance with Article 46(3), Gibraltar notifies the Secretary-General that the distinguishing sign it has selected for display in international traffic on vehicles registered by it is ‘GBZ’.

Bailiwick of Guernsey

Reservations

1. Guernsey does not consider itself bound by the provisions of the following Articles:

a. Article 20(6)(b)

b. the second sentence of Article 23(2)(a)

c. Article 25 bis (2)

d. Article 32(6), (8), (9) and (10)

2. In relation to Article 30(4), Guernsey does not consider itself bound by the requirements of this provision in so far as it relates to loads projecting up to 2m from the front or rear of vehicles.

3. Guernsey reserves the right, for the purposes of the application of the Convention, to treat certain categories of Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles, as cycles.

Declarations

1. Guernsey declares that it is compliant with many of the Rules of the Road in Chapter II of the Convention through the Guernsey Highway Code.

2. In accordance with Article 54(2), Guernsey declares that, for the purposes of the application of the Convention, it treats mopeds as motorcycles.

Notification

In relation to the Distinguishing Sign, in accordance with Article 46(3), Guernsey wishes tonicify to the Secretary-General that the distinguishing sign it has selected for display in international traffic on vehicles registered by it is ‘GBG’.

Bailiwick of Jersey

Reservations

1. Jersey does not consider itself bound by the provisions of the following Articles:

a. Article 20(6)(b)

b. the second sentence of Article 23(2)(a)

c. Article 25 bis (2)

d. Article 32(6), (8), (9) and (10)

2. In relation to Article 30(4), Jersey does not consider itself bound by the requirements of this provision in so far as it relates to loads projecting up to 2m from the front or rear of vehicles.

3. Jersey reserves the right, for the purposes of the application of the Convention, to treat certain categories of Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles, as cycles.

Declarations

1. Jersey declares that it is compliant with many of the Rules of the Road in Chapter II of the Convention through the Jersey Highway Code.

2. In accordance with Article 54(2), Jersey declares that, for the purposes of the application of the Convention, it treats mopeds as motorcycles.

Notification

In relation to the distinguishing sign in accordance with Article 46(3), Jersey wishes to notify to the Secretary-General that the distinguishing sign it has selected for display in international traffic on vehicles registered by it is ‘GBJ’.”

17

Notification made upon accession:

“Pursuant to Article 45, paragraph 4 of the Convention, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam has selected VN as the distinguishing sign for display in international traffic on vehicles registered by it, of which the specifications are in accordance with Annex 3 to the Convention.”

18

See also list under the 1949 Convention (chapter XI.B-1).

19

In application of article 54 (2) of the Convention, this declaration should have been made upon deposit of the instrument of ratification.  The ratification was to have become effective on 16 November 1989, and in the absence of objection within a period of 90 days from the date (7 July 1989) when it was circulated by the Secretary-General, the notification was formally deposited as at 5 October 1989.

20

In a communication received on 14 March 1985, the Government of Brazil notified the Secretary-General of its decision to withdraw the following declaration made upon ratification:

– “Pursuant to the provisions of article 54, paragraph 2, Brazil hereby declares that for the purposes of the application of this Convention, it treats mopeds as motor cycles (article 1 (n)).”

The notification specifies that the withdrawal of the declaration is a consequence of a decision taken by the National Road Traffic Council of Brazil, to consider mopeds as now being in the same category as cycles (bicycles and tricycles), in conformity with article 1 (1) of the afore-mentioned Convention.

21

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 signature and confirmed upon ratification with respect to article 52. For the text of the reservation, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1120, p. 532.

22

Formerly: “EW” until 31 December 1993.

23

In a communication received on 20 August 1993, the Government of Finland transmitted the reservation to the Secretariat informing the Secretary-General that its instrument of ratification should have specified that its ratification was made subject to the said reservation, which had not been transmitted to the Secretary-General when the instrument was deposited. No objections on the part of one of the Contracting States, either to the deposit itself or to the procedure envisaged, were received within a period of 90 days from the date of its circulation (1 March 1994) and the said reservation was deemed accepted for deposit upon the expiration of the stipulated period of 90 days, that is to say on 30 May 1994.

24

The reservations and declaration made by Honduras were accepted in deposit on 19 February 2021 in the absence of objection from Contracting Parties, either to the deposit itself or to the procedure envisaged, within the one-year period from the date of the notification circulating the reservations and declaration.

25

In a communication received on 8 December 1989, the Government of Hungary notified the Secretary-General that it had decided to withdraw its reservation with respect to article 52 of the Convention made upon ratification. For the text of the reservation, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1042, p. 357.

26

In a communication received by the Secretary-General on 23 June 1980, the Government of Israel declared the following:

“The Government of Israel has noted the political character of the statement made by the Government of Kuwait. In the view of the Government of Israel, this Convention is not the proper place for making such political pronouncements.  Moreover, the said declar ation cannot in any way affect whatever obligations are binding upon Kuwait under general international law or under particular conventions.  Insofar as concerns the substance of the matter, the Government of Israel will adopt towards the Government of Kuwait an attitude of complete reciprocity.”

27

On 16 October 1997, the Government of Poland notified the Secretary-General that it had decided to withdraw its reservation with regard to article 52 of the Convention made upon ratification. For the text of the reservation see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1365, p. 347.

28

Formerly: “SU” until 10 March 1993.

29

In a communication received on 12 December 2005, the Government of Switzerland informed the Secretary-General that it had decided to withdraw its reservation with regard to article 11, paragraph 1 (a) made upon ratification with effect from 28 March 2006. The reservation read as follows:

Switzerland reserves the right to enact, in its domestic legislation, regulations specifying that cyclists and motorcyclists may still overtake a line of motor vehicles on the right.

30

Formerly: “SU” until 20 January 1994.

31

In application of article 54 (2) of the Convention, this declaration should have been made upon deposit of the instrument of accession.  The accession was to have become effective on 31 July 1982, and in the absence of objection within a period of 90 days from the date (5 April 1982) when it was circulated by the Secretary-General, the notification was formally deposited as at 4 July 1982.

32

Formerly: “SU” until 30 September 2004.

33

Formerly: “SF” until 31 December 1992.

34

Also applicable to the overseas territories.

35

Formerly: “TMN” until 14 June 1994.

36

As from 28 September 2021. Previously: “GB”.

On 28 June 2021, the Secretary-General received from the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in accordance with Article 45 (4) and Annex 3 of the Convention, a notification stating that the United Kingdom is changing the distinguishing sign that it had previously selected for display in international traffic on vehicles registered in the United Kingdom, from “GB” to “UK”,  and that “this change will apply only to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and will not extend to any territories for the international relations of which the United Kingdom is responsible”. In accordance with Article 54 (4) of the Convention, this change will take effect on 28 September 2021.