CAP. 230, MOTOR VEHICLES AND ROAD TRAFFIC ACT BELIZE
MOTOR VEHICLES AND ROAD TRAFFIC ACT CHAPTER 230
REVISED EDITION 2000 SHOWING THE LAW AS AT 31ST DECEMBER, 2000
This is a revised edition of the law, prepared by the Law Revision Commissioner under the authority of the Law Revision Act, Chapter 3 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 1980 - 1990.
This edition contains a consolidation of the following laws- Page
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 3
MOTOR VEHICLES AND ROAD TRAFFIC ACT 12 Amendments in force as at 31st December, 2000.
BELIZE
MOTOR VEHICLES AND ROAD TRAFFIC ACT CHAPTER 230
REVISED EDITION 2000 SHOWING THE LAW AS AT 31ST DECEMBER, 2000
This is a revised edition of the law, prepared by the Law Revision Commissioner under the authority of the Law Revision Act, Chapter 3 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 1980 - 1990.
This edition contains a consolidation of the following laws- Page
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 3
MOTOR VEHICLES AND ROAD TRAFFIC ACT 12 Amendments in force as at 31st December, 2000.
THE SUBSTANTIVE LAWS OF BELIZE REVISED EDITION 2000 Printed by the Government Printer,
3
CHAPTER 230
MOTOR VEHICLES AND ROAD TRAFFIC
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
PART I
Preliminary
1. Short title.
2. Interpretation.
3. Department of Transport.
4. Transport Advisory Council.
PART II
Registration of Motor Vehicles
5. Motor vehicle records.
6. Registration of motor vehicles.
7. Examination of motor vehicles.
8. Cancellation of registration.
9. Exemptions from need for registration.
10. Transfer of registration.
PART III
Licensing of Motor Vehicles
11. Using vehicle without prescribed licence an offence.
12. Restrictions on licensing of certain motor vehicles and trailers.
13. Special permit to use vehicle.
14. Application for licence.
15. Conditions to be satisfied before licence issued.
16. Alterations in conditions on which licence is issued.
17. Cancellation or refusal of licences.
18. Transfer of ownership.
19. Duplicate licences.
20. Licence duties.
21. Dealers’ general licence.
22. Uses of dealers’ general licences.
23. Record of dealers’ general licences.
24. Cancellation of dealers’ general licence.
25. Dealers’ general licence not transferable.
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26. Dealer to accompany vehicle when used.
27. Record of vehicles used under authority of dealers’ general licence.
28. Temporary licences and international certificates.
PART IV
Belize Driving Licences
29. Driving without a licence an offence.
30. Issue of Belize Driving Licences.
31. Driving tests.
32. Physical fitness.
33. Applications for driving licences.
34. Classes of vehicles.
35. Restrictions on Belize Driving Licences for goods vehicles, etc.
36. Age.
37. Driving test fees.
38. Form of driving licence.
39. Fees.
40. Production of driving licences.
41. Record of driving licences.
42. Duration of driving licences.
43. Re-issue of lost or defaced driving licence.
44. Restrictions on the issue of new driving licence after expiration of former one.
45. Temporary driving licence and international driving licence.
PART V
Registration of Bicycles and Licensing of Dealers in Second-Hand Bicycles
46. Bicycles to be licensed.
47. Validity of registration.
48. Form of registration and transfer of registration.
49. Requisition for registration to be made by owner.
50. Transport officer may require production of bicycle.
51. Transport officer may refuse to grant registration.
52. Registration plates.
53. Re-issue of lost or defaced registration or registration plate.
54. Penalty for not producing registration.
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55. Police officer may detain bicycle.
56. Register for registration.
57. Co-owners.
58. Recovery of fines.
59. Interpretation of “deal in second-hand bicycles”.
60. Dealing in second-hand bicycles, etc., prohibited except under a licence.
61. Application for a licence.
62. Consideration of application.
63. Grounds on which licence shall be refused.
64. Transfer of licence.
65. Sign Department to be erected by licensee.
66. Licensee required to keep books.
67. Restriction on certain transactions.
68. Restriction on disposing of, disfiguring or dismantling second-hand bicycles.
69. Penalty for failure to give information.
70. Search warrant.
71. General penalties.
72. Power to cancel licence, etc.
PART VI
Driving and other Offences and General Conditions relating to the Use of Roads
73. Speed.
74. Driving, or being in charge, when under influence of drink or drugs.
75. Driving or being in charge, with alcohol concentration above the prescribed limit.
76. Requirement to go to police station or hospital.
77. Provisions of specimens for analysis.
78. Protection for hospital patients.
79. Evidence in proceedings for an offence under section 74 or 75.
80. Detention of persons affected by alcohol or a drug.
81. Interpretation of sections 74 to 80.
82. Reckless driving.
83. Careless driving.
84. Warning to be given of intended prosecution.
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85. Taking vehicle without consent of owner.
86. Interfering with motor vehicle.
87. Restrictions on persons being carried on bicycles.
88. Restriction on cyclists riding abreast or holding on to other moving vehicles.
89. Duty to stop, give aid, and report in case of accident.
PART VII
Legal Proceedings, Suspension, Cancellation and Endorsement of Driving Licences
90. Power to proceed on charge for careless driving on hearing of charges under section 74 ,75 or 82.
91. Powers of court to order disqualification from obtaining a driving licence and to endorse and cancel licences.
92. Right of appeal.
93. Production of driving licence for endorsement.
94. Custody of licence while suspended or cancelled.
95. Suspended licence to be of no effect.
96. Temporary suspension of licence pending determination of charges.
97. Fraudulent application for driving licence.
98. Particulars of endorsement to be copied on new licence.
99. Non-disclosure of endorsement.
100. Issue of new licence free from endorsement.
PART VIII
General
101. Fees and duties.
102. Fraudulent imitation etc., of documents.
103. Offences and general penalty.
104. Liability at common law.
105. Refusing to give name or address or giving false name or address.
106. Giving false information.
107. Duplicate licences, licences and certificates.
108. Liability of driver and owner for offences.
109. Power to require motor vehicles licensed according to maximum gross weight to be weighed.
110. Recovery of damage to road or bridge.
111. Certificate as to damage to be admissible in evidence.
112. Regulations.
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113. Special regulations may be made by Commissioner of Police.
114. Saving.
115. Grant of concessions to operate motor omnibuses.
116. In the event of a conflict of laws, this Act to prevail.
117. Registration, licensing and control of vehicles in Belize City.
118. Powers of Belize City Council to make regulations.
120. Belize City Traffic Management Committee.
121. Commissioner of Police to assist the Belize City Council.
FIRST SCHEDULE
SECOND SCHEDULE
THIRD SCHEDULE
FOURTH SCHEDULE
FIFTH SCHEDULE
SIXTH SCHEDULE
SEVENTH SCHEDULE
EIGHTH SCHEDULE
CHAPTER 230
MOTOR VEHICLES AND ROAD TRAFFIC
[1st January, 1939-Parts I-IV, VI-VIII 28th December, 1938-Part V]
PART I
Preliminary
1. This Act may be cited as the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act.
2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:-
“at night” means from half an hour after sunset until half an hour before sunrise;
Ch. 62, R. L., 1958. CAP. 192, R. E. 1980-1990. 40 of 1963. 4 of 1965. 4 of 1967. 14 of 1968. 9 of 1972. 16 of 1972. 30 of 1973. 12 of 1978. 28 of 1985. 22 of 1987. 20 of 1990. 20 of 1992. 11 of 1994. 18 of 1998. 42 of 1999.
Commencement.
Short title.
Interpretation.
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“Council” means the Transport Advisory Council established in accordance with section 4;
“Department” means the Department of Transport established in accordance with section 3 for the registration, licensing and control of all vehicles;
“freight passenger vehicle” means a motor vehicle constructed for the purpose of carrying both passengers and goods and which is approved by the Department as suitable for that purpose;
“goods vehicle” means a motor vehicle which is so constructed as to show that its primary purpose is the carriage or haulage of goods, merchandise or other loads;
“inspector” means any person appointed under this Act to examine motor vehicles or for other purposes of this Act;
“International Convention” means any international agreement for the time being in force relative to the international circulation of motor vehicles and trailers which applies to Belize;
“land tractor” means a tractor designed and used for work on the land in connection with forestry or road making and similar operations which is driven on a public road only when proceeding to and from such work and which when so driven hauls or carries nothing other than implements connected with such operations;
“maximum gross weight” or “m.g.w.” in reference to a goods vehicle and a freight passenger vehicle, means the tare together with the load including the weight of the driver and that of any other person carried on the vehicle, and in reference to a motor omnibus, means the tare together with the weight of the driver, conductor, the number of passengers for which the vehicle is licensed and their luggage, and for the purposes of this definition the weight of a person shall be taken as one hundred and twenty-six pounds;
28 of 1985.
20 of 1990.
20 of 1990.
20 of 1990.
“motor cycle” means a motor vehicle with less than four wheels and the weight of which unladen does not exceed eight hundred pounds;
“motor lorry” means a goods vehicle which is, itself, constructed to carry goods, merchandise or other loads;
“motor omnibus” means a public service vehicle other than one licensed as a freight passenger vehicle or as a taxi;
“motor vehicle” means any mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on roads;
“overtaking” includes passing or attempting to pass any other vehicle proceeding in the same direction;
“owner’-
(a) includes a part owner, and any agent or attorney of an owner or part owner, of a vehicle;
(b) in the case of a vehicle which is registered, means the person in whose name the vehicle is registered;
(c) in the case of a vehicle which is the subject of a hire purchase agreement, means the person in possession of the vehicle under that agreement; and
(d) in case the registered owner of a vehicle is absent from Belize, means the person in actual charge or possession of the vehicle in Belize;
“parking place” means a place where motor vehicles, or motor vehicles of any particular class or description, may wait;
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“pickup” means a goods or passenger vehicle so designed by the manufacturer the maximum tare weight of which does not exceed three thousand three hundred and sixty pounds and which for the purpose of speed limit shall be classed under “other vehicles”;
“private motor car” means any motor vehicle, other than a goods vehicle, the weight of which unladen exceeds eight hundred pounds and which does not fall within the definition of a public service vehicle;
“public road” means any road within a town and any road declared to be a public road by the Minister by Order, and any road maintained wholly or partly from public funds;
“public service vehicle” means a motor vehicle used for carrying passengers for hire or reward, whether at separate and distinct fares for their respective places or not;
“road” means any street, road or open space to which the public are granted access and any bridge over which a road passes, and includes any privately owned street, road or open space to which the public are granted access either generally or conditionally;
“tare” means the actual weight of a motor vehicle when unladen but inclusive of the body, accumulators, loose tools, spare wheels and other usual equipment and a full supply of water and fuel used for the purposes of propulsion;
“taxi” means a public service vehicle having seating accommodation for not more than six passengers and which is of a type approved by the Department as suitable for the ordinary purpose of a taxi;
“ton” means the imperial ton of two thousand two hundred and forty pounds;
“tractor” means any motor vehicle constructed or used for the purpose of hauling trailers whether or not it is itself capable of carrying passengers or goods but
40 of 1963.
28 of 1985. 20 of 1990.
does not include a motor lorry so constructed except when such motor lorry is hauling a trailer;
“traffic” included bicycles, tricycles, motor vehicles, other vehicles of every description, pedestrians, and all animals being ridden, driven or led on any road;
“traffic warden” means a person appointed in accordance with section 3 of this Act for the enforcement of traffic laws and, where the context allows, includes the Commissioner of Transport;
“transport officer” means a person appointed in accordance with section 3 and, where the context allows, includes the Commissioner of Transport;
“trailer” means any vehicle which has no independent motor power of its own and which is attached to a tractor or other motor vehicle, but does not include a side-car attached to a motor cycle;
“vehicle” includes carriages, wagons, carts, motor vehicles, bicycles, tricycles, vans, hand carts, trucks, barrows and all other machines for the portage of goods or persons on any road.
3.-(1) There shall be established under the Ministry for the time being responsible for Transport, a Department of Transport for the registration, licensing and control of all vehicles in Belize, and in it shall be vested the administration of this Act.
(2) The Department of Transport shall be headed by a public officer to be known as the “Commissioner of Transport” who shall be appointed by the Governor General in accordance with section 107 of the Constitution.
(3) There shall be appointed by the Public Services Commission such other traffic wardens, transport officers, inspectors and other staff as may be necessary for the due carrying out of the provisions of this Act and the
20 of 1992.
Department of Transport.
20 of 1990.
20 of 1990.
20 of 1990.
20 of 1990.
CAP. 4.
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regulations made thereunder.
(4) There shall be appointed by the Public Services Commission such number of traffic wardens as may be necessary for the enforcement of traffic laws.
(5) The functions of the traffic wardens appointed under this section shall be as follows:
(a) to direct the flow of traffic;
(b) to enforce the parking regulations;
(c) to enforce the traffic violation ticket system;
(d) to investigate and prosecute traffic accidents, including the enforcement of provisions relating to driving whilst under the influence of drinks or drugs;
(e) to perform such other duties as may be assigned to them by this Act or any regulations made hereunder.
(6) In exercise of his functions under this Act or any regulations hereunder, a traffic warden shall have the authority and powers of a member of the Belize Police Department and may exercise all the powers conferred on a member of the Belize Police Department by this Act or any regulations made hereunder.
(7) All traffic wardens while on duty shall wear distinctive uniforms and badges approved by the Commissioner of Transport.
(8) The powers conferred on a traffic warden by this section shall be without prejudice to the functions of a member of the Belize Police Department as contained in the Police Act to enforce all laws, rules and
20 of 1992.
42 of 1999. 42 of 1999.
20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
42 of 1999. CAP. 138.
20 of 1992.
regulations.
(9) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section or any other law, the power to appoint and remove, and to exercise disciplinary control over traffic wardens within Belize City shall vest in the Belize City Council.
(10) The Belize City Council shall appoint such number of traffic wardens as may be necessary to enforce traffic laws within Belize City.
(11) The functions of traffic wardens appointed by the Belize City Council shall in respect of Belize City be the same as those set out in subsection (5) above.
(12) Subsection (6) above (relating to police powers of a traffic warden) shall apply to traffic wardens appointed by the Belize City Council.
(13) All traffic wardens appointed by the Belize City Council shall, while on duty, wear distinctive uniforms and badges approved by the Belize City Council.
(14) The Belize City Council shall pay the traffic wardens appointed by it such salaries and allowances as may be approved by it , but the same shall not be less than those payable to traffic wardens appointed by the Department of Transport.
4.-(1) There shall be established a Transport Advisory Council consisting of seven persons appointed by the Minister, one of whom shall be the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry for the time being responsible for Transport.
(2) The Minister shall appoint one of the members to be the Chairman and another member to be the Deputy Chairman of the Council. In the absence of the Chairman for any reason whatever, the Deputy Chairman shall act as the Chairman. The Commissioner of Transport (or a person designated by him) shall be the Secretary to the Council.
Transport Advisory Council. 20 of 1990.
11 of 1994.
11 of 1994.
11 of 1994.
11 of 1994.
11 of 1994.
11 of 1994.
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(3) The Council shall hold office for two years from its first meeting and shall then be reconvened, provided that the Minister may, in his discretion at any time, cancel the appointment of any member other than an ex officio member.
(4) The Council shall meet at least once in three months.
(5) The quorum for any meeting of the Council shall be four members. The decision of the majority present at any meeting shall be the decision of the Council.
(6) The Council shall advise the Minister on all policy matters appertaining to road transport, traffic and in particular on the following:-
(a) transport, rates, fares, tolls, dues or other charges;
(b) registration duties and fees in respect of motor and other vehicles;
(c) traffic regulations, traffic lights, cross walks, road closures and redirection of traffic;
(d) parking places, parking meters, duration of parking and parking offences;
(e) driving tests, restrictions on driving licences and omnibus licences.
(7) The Council shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to it by this Act and regulations made thereunder, or by any Order of the Minister.
(8) Proper records of the proceedings of the Council shall be maintained by the Secretary.
(9) Subject to the provisions of this section, the Council may regulate its own procedure.
PART II
Registration of Motor Vehicles
5.-(1) The Department shall keep records of motor vehicles in the prescribed forms and separate records shall be kept by the transport officer in any locality as directed by the Department.
(2) Every transport officer shall forward to the Department a copy of every entry made in his local record.
(3) The Department shall supply to any person applying for a copy of the entries relating to any specified vehicle a copy of these entries on payment of a prescribed fee if he shows that he has a reasonable cause for requiring such a copy.
6.-(1) Except as hereinafter provided, no person shall drive, or being the owner, shall licence any other person to drive a motor vehicle on a road unless the vehicle, and any trailer drawn by such vehicle, is registered under this Act, and has affixed thereto in the prescribed manner the prescribed identification mark; but no person shall be liable to a penalty for a breach of this section if he proves that he has taken all reasonable steps to comply with its requirements, and that the vehicle is being driven on a road for the purpose of being registered.
(2) Application for the registration of a motor vehicle or trailer shall be made by the owner on the prescribed form, which must be duly completed by the applicant and be accompanied by the prescribed registration fee.
(3) The transport officer to whom application is made shall forthwith enter particulars of the vehicle in the records, and shall assign to the
Motor vehicle records. 28 of 1985. 20 of 1990.
Registration of motor vehicles.
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vehicle a registered number or letter and number, which shall become the identification mark of such vehicle.
(4) A certificate of registration in the prescribed form, shall be given to the owner of the vehicle, and such certificate of registration shall be regarded as sufficient evidence that the vehicle to which it refers has been registered, unless the contrary is shown.
(5) If a motor vehicle does not bear on it an identification mark as provided by this section, this fact shall be regarded as sufficient evidence that the vehicle has not been registered unless the contrary is shown, and any constable or transport officer may detain such a vehicle until inquiries have been made.
(6) The onus of proving that a vehicle has been registered rests upon the owner of the vehicle.
(7) The owner of a motor vehicle shall notify the Department of all circumstances or events which affect the accuracy of the entries in the records, at the same time forwarding his certificate of registration for amendment.
(8) A transport officer may call upon any owner of a motor vehicle at any time to furnish all information for the verification of the entries in the records relating to such vehicle.
(9) Whenever the registered owner of a motor vehicle is about to absent himself from Belize leaving his registered vehicle in Belize, he shall notify the Department in writing of the name and address of the person in whose charge or possession the vehicle will be left.
(10) No person shall be registered as the owner of a motor vehicle unless he is at least seventeen years of age.
7.-(1) Before registering any motor vehicle or trailer, the transport officer shall verify all the particulars entered in the form of application, and may, if he thinks
20 of 1990.
Examination of motor vehicles.
it necessary, send any vehicle to be examined and tested by an inspector for the purpose of ensuring that it is of such construction and in such condition as may be necessary for the purpose for which it is sought to register the vehicle, and the owner shall at his own expense facilitate such examination and test and shall, if requested, dismantle and expose any part of the mechanism or machinery.
(2) Before registering goods vehicle, freight passenger vehicle, motor omnibus or trailer, the transport officer shall ascertain in the manner prescribed, the maximum gross weight or the maximum number of passengers which the vehicle may be authorised to carry, and such maximum gross weight or maximum number of passengers shall be entered in the records and in the certificate of registration.
(3) If any owner of a motor vehicle or trailer is aggrieved at any decision of an inspector, he shall be licenced to appeal to the Department, which may order that the demands of the inspector are unreasonable , or that such demands shall be enforced.
8.-(1) The registration of a motor vehicle shall remain valid so long as the vehicle is kept in use for the purposes for which it was originally registered and shall only be cancelled if the Department is satisfied that the vehicle has been destroyed or rendered permanently unserviceable or permanently removed from Belize, or if it has not been re-licensed for three consecutive years.
(2) The owner of any motor vehicle which has been destroyed or rendered permanently unserviceable or has been permanently removed from Belize shall notify the Department of such fact within one month of the happening of such event.
9.-(1) The following classes of motor vehicles shall be exempted from the need of registration-
(a) new motor vehicles in the possession of manufacturers or dealers in motor vehicles, but subject to such provisions as to the dealers’ general licences as may appear hereinafter;
Cancellation of registration.
Exemptions from need for registration.
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(b) private motor cars and motor cycles brought into Belize by visitors for their own use for a period not exceeding three months, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed;
(c) any motor vehicle the property of or used by the Governor- General for his official or personal duties;
(d) any goods vehicle used exclusively in connection with forestry, road making or similar operations which does not at any time run on any part of a public road except when a special licence has been granted by the Chief Engineer;
(e) any land tractor and any trailer drawn by such land tractor used exclusively in connection with operations for which such land tractor is used;
(f) any specific vehicle or class of vehicles exempted by the Minister.
(2) No fee on registration shall be charged in respect of the following-
(a) any motor vehicle or trailer which is the property of the Govern- ment or any City Council, Town Council or town authority, Village Council or Community Council;
(b) any motor vehicle specially exempted by an order of the Minister owned by a public body or on account of its being used for any charitable, philanthropic or other public service.
(3) The exemption hereby granted from payment of the registration fee in respect of a vehicle shall cease whenever the condition justifying such exemption ceases to apply to that vehicle.
10.-(1) On the change of possession of a motor vehicle otherwise than by death-
9 of 1972.
Transfer of registration.
(a) the motor vehicle shall not be used for more than seven days after such change of possession unless the new owner is registered as the owner thereof;
(b) the registered owner and the new owner shall within seven days after such change of possession make application in writing signed by both of them to the Department giving the name and address of the new owner and the date of change of possession and such application shall be accompanied by the certificate of registration and the prescribed fee and the transport officer shall thereupon by endorsement of the certi- ficate of registration and entry in the records substitute the name of the new owner for that of the registered owner and shall date and initial the substitution and from such date the new owner shall for all purposes be deemed to be the registered owner of the motor vehicle described in the relevant entry in the records and in such certificate of registration, but where the ownership in any motor vehicle is transferred under any legal or judicial process or by virtue of a bill of sale and such motor vehicle has been seized in accordance with such bill of sale and the Bills of Sale Act and the owner satisfies the Department that no order has been made restraining the removal or sale of such motor vehicle, the application aforesaid may be made by the new owner alone subject to the other provisions of this section being complied with.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), in the case of the death of the registered owner, the legal personal representative of the deceased in Belize shall be deemed to be the owner for the purposes of such transfer, and in the absence of any legal personal representative in Belize, the person into whose possession the motor vehicle lawfully comes, shall, for the purposes of such transfer, be deemed to be the registered owner.
(3) A legal personal representative or other person as mentioned in subsection (2) shall notify the Department of the death of the registered
4 of 1967.
20 of 1990.
CAP. 246.
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owner within one month of such event.
(4) At the discretion of the transport officer, a new certificate of registration may be issued instead of endorsing the original certificate.
PART III
Licensing of Motor Vehicles
11.-(1) Except as is otherwise in this Act provided, if after the commencement thereof-
(a) the owner of any motor vehicle or trailer keeps for use or allows to be kept for use such vehicle or trailer without having obtained, or otherwise fails or omits to obtain, the relevant licence prescribed in respect of that motor vehicle or trailer; or
(b) any motor vehicle or trailer is used upon any road for a purpose which is not authorised by the licence issued in respect thereof or in contravention of any provisions of this Act; or
(c) any motor vehicle or trailer is used upon a road being loaded so as to exceed the maximum gross weight or the number of passengers respectively covered by the licence,
the owner or the driver or other person in charge of the motor vehicle, as the case may be, who contravenes any of the provisions of paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding fifty dollars.
(2) Where the driver of any vehicle is charged with an offence under subsection (1), the magistrate may order that a summons be issued against the owner in the case of a registered vehicle or in the case of an unregistered vehicle against any person alleged by the driver to be the owner of the vehicle, making such alleged owner the co-defendant in the case, and the magistrate may, after
Using vehicle without prescribed licence an offence.
hearing the evidence and witnesses of all parties, make such order in regard to the payment of a fine and costs as to the magistrate seems just.
(3) A person shall not be convicted of an offence under this section if he proves that he has not had a reasonable opportunity of obtaining a licence for the motor vehicle or trailer and that it was being driven for the purpose of obtaining a licence.
(4) Every vehicle shall, in all proceedings under this Act, be deemed to be kept for use, until the contrary is proved by the owner of such vehicle.
(5) Upon any conviction for an offence under paragraph (a) of subsection (1), the magistrate, in addition to any other fine which may be inflicted, shall order the owner of the motor vehicle or trailer to pay into court to the credit of the Consolidated Revenue Fund the amount of the relevant licence duty which would have been payable if such licence had been taken out at the proper time, and in default of payment of such amount, the owner shall be liable to imprisonment for three months, but no such order shall be made if the magistrate is satisfied that such licence duty has been paid subsequent to the commission of the offence.
12.-(1) No licence shall be issued for any motor vehicle or trailer which is not registered under this Act except those specified in section 9 (1) (a), (b) and (c), and no unlicensed vehicle shall be used on any public road, nor shall any industrial machinery be hauled on any public road by any tractor, whether registered or not, without the permission in writing of the Department.
(2) The Department may grant a special licence to the owner of a tractor, goods vehicle or trailer for the conveyance of heavy machinery or other articles in excess of the maximum gross weight of such vehicle subject to such conditions as may be specified in the licence.
(3) The Department may grant to the owner of any machine to be used for industrial purposes or of any unregistered and unlicensed motor vehicle
Restrictions on licensing of certain motor vehicles and trailers. 20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
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or trailer of a class specified in section 9 (1) (d), (e) or (f), a special licence for the passage or conveyance of such machine, motor vehicle or trailer over the respective roads and streets.
(4) A special licence as is mentioned in this section may be granted on payment of such fee as may be prescribed by the Minister and subject to such conditions as the Department may impose.
(5) Any person to whom a licence has been granted under this section who fails to observe any of the conditions specified in such licence commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of fifty dollars, and in addition he shall be liable for any damages occasioned by his neglect or failure to observe any of such conditions.
(6) Before issuing any licence under subsections (2) and (3), the Department may require the person applying for such licence to provide a bond in such amount as it may think adequate, and this bond shall be forfeited in the event of the vehicle causing any damage to the road and the cost of making good the damage shall be paid out of the amount of such bond, the balance being returned to the person giving the bond.
(7) Any person who uses or allows to be used on any public road any motor vehicle or industrial machine in contravention of subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars.
13. The Department may grant a special licence to the owner of a motor vehicle or trailer to use the motor vehicle or trailer on any public road for such period and on such conditions as may be specified in the licence. The licence may be granted notwithstanding that the said motor vehicle or trailer or the use of such motor vehicle or trailer on a public road is not in accordance with the provisions of this Act or of any regulations made thereunder.
14. Application for the licensing of a motor vehicle or trailer shall be made on the prescribed form.
Special permit to use vehicle. 20 of 1992.
Application for licence.
20 of 1992.
4 of 1965.
15.-(1) A transport officer shall not issue a motor vehicle or trailer licence until the motor vehicle or trailer licence has been duly registered, or renew a motor vehicle or trailer licence unless he is satisfied that the motor vehicle or trailer does not differ in any respect from the particulars in the records and that the provisions of this Act and the regulations have been complied with.
(2) The decision of the Department as regards the class or type to which any vehicle conforms or under which it should be registered and as regards the licence that may be issued in respect of any such vehicle shall be conclusive.
(3) The Department may, in its discretion, grant permission to enable a vehicle licensed as a goods vehicle to be used as a private motor car for the conveyance of passengers without hire or reward. The permission shall be in writing and may be either general or for a specific occasion and subject to such conditions as the Department may think fit and may be cancelled at any time.
(4) Any person to whom permission has been granted under subsection (3) who fails to observe any of the conditions specified in such written permission commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty dollars.
16.-(1) Where the holder of a motor vehicle or trailer licence desires to use the motor vehicle or trailer for a purpose not authorised by the licence, he shall apply for a new licence, and where after the issue of a licence, a motor vehicle or trailer is altered so that a higher duty or a duty of a different class is required, the licence shall become void, and the holder shall apply for a new licence.
(2) In such cases a new licence shall not be issued until the old licence has been surrendered, and there shall be deducted from the duty on the new licence a sum equal to the duty which would have been payable on the old licence, if issued on the same day as the new licence, but the minimum duty on the new licence shall be one dollar.
(3) Where a new licence is issued in the circumstances referred to in
Alterations in conditions on which licence is issued.
20 of 1990.
20 of 1990.
20 of 1990.
20 of 1990.
Conditions to be satisfied before licence issued.
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29
this section, the transport officer shall duly amend the records and issue a new certificate of registration.
17.-(1) A transport officer may cancel or suspend or refuse to issue or renew a motor vehicle or trailer licence if an inspector certifies in writing that the motor vehicle or trailer is so constructed or is in such a condition as to be a source of danger to any persons travelling in the vehicle or to other users of the road, or to be injurious to the roads themselves, or which contravenes any provisions of this Act or regulations.
(2) Any owner of a motor vehicle or trailer in respect of which a licence is cancelled or suspended or for which the issue or renewal of a licence is refused under this section may appeal to the Minister.
18. On transfer of ownership of a motor vehicle or trailer, the transport officer shall, on payment of the prescribed fee, duly amend the records and the certificate of registration.
19.-(1) If a motor vehicle or trailer licence is lost, defaced, mutilated, or rendered illegible, the transport officer may issue a duplicate licence on payment of the prescribed fee.
(2) If any licence as mentioned in subsection (1) is subsequently found, the holder of the duplicate licence shall forthwith deliver up to the transport officer the duplicate licence and any person knowingly retaining or having in his possession both an original and a duplicate licence commits an offence.
20.-(1) Every motor vehicle or trailer licence issued shall be in the prescribed form.
(2) The Minister may from time to time by Order prescribe the duties to be paid on motor vehicle and trailer licences, and also the fees and duties to be paid for-
20 of 1990.
Duplicate licence.
Transfer of ownership. 20 of 1992.
Licence duties.
Cancellation or refusal of licence. 20 of 1990.
(a) Belize Driving Licence;
(b) learners licence and driving test;
(c) any duplicate or copy of a licence or licence authorised or required to be used;
(d) registration of any motor vehicle or trailer, including certified extract;
(e) certified extract of any entry in motor vehicles record other than on registration;
(f) amendment of any record or licence on change of ownership;
(g) any other amendment of any record or licence;
(h) dealers licence.
(3) Any Order made under subsection (2) shall be subject to affirmative resolution.
(4) Licences may be issued for three, six, nine or twelve calendar months at rates in proportion to the annual rates, and shall expire at the end of the respective period, provided that the month in which the licence was issued shall be counted as one full month.
(5) Where an owner of any motor vehicle, which has been duly licensed under this Act, desires to take out in respect of such motor vehicle a licence for which a different duty is payable, he shall, if such duty is higher than the duty already paid in respect of such motor vehicle, be required to pay only the difference between such higher duty and the duty already paid.
(6) No licence duty shall be payable in respect of any vehicle
20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
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31
which is exempt from the need for registration under section 9 (1) (a), (b) and (c) or from payment of registration fee under section 9 (2).
(7) No licence shall be required and no licence duty payable in respect of any vehicle mentioned in section 9 (1) (c), (d), (e) and (f).
(8) The Department in its discretion may authorise, in respect of any motor vehicle which has been laid up for repairs or which has been rendered permanently unserviceable or removed permanently from Belize for each complete month during which the vehicle was not in use in Belize a rebate of such proportion of the licence fee paid as it thinks fit but not exceeding one- twelfth of the annual licence duty, but no claim for a rebate shall be considered unless a half-yearly licence at least was in force during the period for which a rebate is claimed and the identification plates of the vehicle were surrendered to the Department for safe keeping for the whole of such period.
(9) The Accountant General shall, on the certificate of the Department, refund to the person named in the certificate the amount certified for rebate.
21.-(1) A transport officer may issue to a dealer in, manufacturer or repairer of motor vehicles or trailers, who make application in the prescribed form, a dealers’ general licence, which subject to sections 22 to 27 and to any other conditions which may from time to time be prescribed, shall authorise the use of any number of motor vehicles or trailers in the possession of the holder of such licence in the course of his business as such dealer, manufacturer or repairer.
(2) A dealers’ general licence issued under this section shall not authorise the use of a vehicle for the carriage of persons or goods for fee or reward.
22.-(1) Subject to section 21, a motor vehicle or trailer may be used under a dealers’ general licence for any purpose connected with the business, as a dealer in or manufacturer or repairer of motor vehicles or trailers, of the holder of such licence, and so long as such vehicle is bona fide being used for such purpose, the holder of the licence shall not by reason only that he is making some other or further use of the vehicle be deemed to commit an offence.
4 of 1965.
Dealer’s general licence. 20 of 1990.
Uses of dealer’s general licence.
20 of 1990.
20 of 1990.
(2) A dealers’ general licence shall be in the prescribed form and shall be valid for a period of twelve months from the day of issue.
23. Motor vehicles and trailers used under the authority of a dealers’ general licence shall not be registered in the manner described in section 6 but the transport officer shall keep a separate record in the prescribed form of all such licences issued by him.
24.-(1) A transport officer may at any time cancel a dealers’ general licence for any breach of this Act or of any regulations.
(2) The transport officer shall give notice of such cancellation to the person to whom such licence was issued, and may at his discretion repay to him so much of the annual fee paid as is proportionate to the unexpired portion of the year in respect of which the fee was paid.
(3) Any person whose licence has been cancelled in accordance with this section or to whom a dealers’ general licence has been refused may appeal to the Minister.
25. No dealers’ licence shall be used for any purpose not provided for in this Act, nor shall it be transferred or assigned to any other person without the authority of the transport officer.
26. No motor vehicle or trailer shall be used on any road under the authority of a dealers’ general licence unless the vehicle bears the prescribed identification marks and the holder of the licence, or a person duly authorised by him, accompanies such vehicle.
27. The holder of a dealers’ general licence shall keep, in the prescribed form, a record of every motor vehicle or trailer which is used under the authority of such licence and shall produce such record for inspection when requested by a commissioned officer of Police or by any non-commissioned officer or police officer below the rank of corporal authorised in writing by a commissioned officer of Police.
Cancellation of dealers’ general licence. 20 of 1990. 20 of 1990.
20 of 1990.
Dealer’s general licence not transferable. 20 of 1990.
Dealer to accompany vehicle when used.
Record of vehicles used under authority of dealers’ general licence.
Record of dealers’ general licence. 20 of 1990.
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33
28.-(1) When a motor vehicle or a trailer drawn by a motor vehicle is brought into Belize temporarily for the purpose of being used by a person during a visit to Belize, and such person does not hold an international certificate issued in accordance with an International Convention, the Department may issue a temporary licence in respect of such motor vehicle or trailer without requiring it to be registered under this Act, and such temporary licence shall be issued for a period not exceeding three months from the date of issue, on the payment of such fee and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.
(2) When a motor vehicle or a trailer drawn by a motor vehicle is brought into Belize as mentioned in subsection (1) by a person who holds an international certificate in respect of the motor vehicle or trailer issued elsewhere than in Belize in accordance with an International Convention, such person shall, while such certificate remains valid, be exempt from any requirement to register the motor vehicle or trailer under Part II, but subject to such conditions and exemptions from licence fees under this Act as may be prescribed.
(3) No motor vehicle or trailer in respect of which an international certificate or temporary licence has been issued shall be used in Belize for hire or trade purposes, except under special licence from the Department and subject to such conditions as may be attached to the licence.
(4) Where a person in Belize desires to use a motor vehicle, or trailer drawn by such motor vehicle, in any country outside of Belize which shall have adhered to any International Convention, he shall apply to the Department in the prescribed manner for such international certificates as may be required in respect of such motor vehicle or trailer.
(5) The Department is hereby authorised, on payment of the prescribed fee, and subject to such other conditions as may from time to time be prescribed, to issue such international certificates as aforesaid in accordance with any International Convention. Before any international certificate is issued by the Department, the applicant shall satisfy the Department that the motor vehicle and trailer comply with the requirements of the International Convention,
20 of 1990.
20 of 1990.
20 of 1990.
20 of 1990.
Temporary licences and international certificates. 20 of 1990.
and for such purpose the Department may require an Inspector to examine the motor vehicle and trailer and report thereon to the Department.
(6) The Department shall keep a record of all international certificates and temporary licences issued under this section, and of all motor vehicles or trailers being used in Belize under the authority of an international certificate or temporary licence.
(7) In this section the expression “international certificate” shall include travelling passes, driving licences, fiscal licences and other documents as may be issued in accordance with an International Convention.
PART IV
Belize Driving Licences
29.-(1) Except as provided in this section, no person shall drive a motor vehicle on a road unless he is the holder of a Belize Driving Licence, and no person shall employ any person to drive a motor vehicle on a road unless the person so employed is the holder of a Belize Driving Licence, and if any person acts in contravention of this provision, he commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars.
(2) If the offender has been previously refused and has not been granted a Belize Driving Licence or is disqualified from holding or obtaining a Belize Driving Licence, he may be arrested forthwith without a warrant and he shall on summary conviction be liable to imprisonment for six months or to a fine of five hundred dollars.
(3) For the purpose of learning to drive, a person not having a Belize Driving Licence may-
(a) use a motor cycle upon such road and during such times as may be authorised in writing by a transport officer;
Driving without a licence an offence. 20 of 1992.
20 of 1990.
20 of 1992. 20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
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35
(b) drive any motor vehicle, not being a taxi or freight passenger vehicle carrying passengers or motor omnibus, upon such road and during such times as may be authorised in writing by a transport officer, if accompanied for the purpose of instruction by a person holding a valid Belize Driving Licence and sitting next to the driver, and in such case both the learner and person accompanying him shall be jointly and severally liable for any offence against this Act committed during the course of such instruction.
(4) No driving licence shall be required in respect of a person driving a land tractor or vehicle exempted from the need for registration under section 9 (1) (d) and (e) or such vehicle or class of vehicles as may have been exempted under section 9 (1) (f) as the Minister may, by Order published in the Gazette, prescribe.
30. Belize Driving Licences shall be issued by a transport officer to applicants in accordance with this Part.
31.-(1) A transport officer in his discretion may require an applicant for a Belize Driving Licence to produce a certificate of having passed a driving test signed by such person as may be approved of by the Department.
(2) Driving tests may be conducted by such examiners as the Department shall from time to time approve or appoint for the purpose.
(3) The nature of the driving test shall be at the discretion of the transport officer or of such examiners as aforesaid but shall include a test of the applicant’s knowledge of the rules of the road, road signals and road signs.
(4) If the applicant requires permission to drive a particular class of vehicle only or if the applicant is being tested under section 32 (2), then the examiner shall issue a certificate on which any appropriate restrictions are clearly
12 of 1978.
Issue of Driving Licences. 20 of 1990. 20 of 1992.
Driving tests. 20 of 1990.
20 of 1992.
20 of 1990.
20 of 1990.
set forth, after satisfying himself by means of such tests as he may deem suitable that the applicant is qualified to drive a vehicle of such particular class or of such particular construction, and in such cases, the transport officer shall clearly set forth the restrictions on the licence itself.
32.-(1) The transport officer shall not issue a driving licence to any person unless the applicant satisfies him in such manner as may be prescribed that he is physically fit to drive and is by character fitted to hold a Belize Driving Licence.
(2) If a licence is refused under this section, other than on grounds as to character, the applicant may claim to be subjected to a test as to his fitness or ability to drive a motor vehicle, or a motor vehicle of a particular class or description, or a motor vehicle of a particular form of construction, and if he passes such test and is not otherwise disqualified, the licence shall not be refused by reason of this section.
(3) If a transport officer has reasonable grounds for believing or suspecting that the holder of a driving licence has become unfit to drive, he may require such person to undergo a medical examination by a registered medical practitioner and if, as a result of such examination, the licence holder is found to be unfit to drive a motor vehicle, his driving licence shall be suspended.
(4) Any person whose driving licence has been suspended under subsection (3) above may apply to a Judge of the Supreme Court in Chambers on the ground that he has not become unfit to drive a motor vehicle, and if the Judge is satisfied on medical evidence that the applicant is fit to drive a motor vehicle, he may order the restoration of the driving licence.
33. Applications for driving licences shall be made to the transport officer on such form as may from time to time be prescribed, and shall be signed by the applicant.
Applications for driving licences.
Physical fitness. 20 of 1990.
20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
20 of 1992. 20 of 1990.
20 of 1992.
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37
34.-(1) A driving licence shall not be valid except in respect of the class or classes of motor vehicle therein mentioned, but the licence may, by endorsement thereon by the transport officer, be extended to any other class of vehicle.
(2) For the purposes of this section, motor vehicles are classified as follows:-
(a) motor cycles;
(b) public service vehicles including freight passenger vehicles;
(c) goods vehicles;
(d) motor vehicles other than those in classes (a), (b) and (c) above.
35. No Belize Driving Licence shall be issued or endorsed as valid for a goods vehicle to an applicant who is under the age of eighteen years, nor for a public service vehicle to an applicant who is under the age of eighteen years and who has not held a valid Belize Driving Licence for at least one year.
36. Except as provided in section 35, any person not being under the age of seventeen years and not being otherwise disqualified shall be eligible to obtain a learner’s licence or a driving licence.
37.-(1) Every person undergoing a driving test under section 31 shall pay in respect of such test and certificate of competency such fee as may from time to time be prescribed.
(2) The fee for examination shall be paid irrespective of what the result of the test may be.
38. Belize Driving Licences shall be in such form as may be prescribed by
Restrictions on Belize Driving Licence for goods vehicle, etc. 20 of 1992.
Age. 20 of 1992.
Driving test fees.
Form of driving licence.
20 of 1990.
Classes of vehicles.
the Department and the signature of the holder shall be affixed to the licence.
39.-(1) Subject to subsection (2), on the issue of a Belize Driving Licence there shall be payable such fee as may from time to time be prescribed.
(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply to a driving licence solely to drive a vehicle the property of the Government or any Local Authority, and such driving licence shall be issued on the production of a certificate from the Head of the Department concerned, and at the discretion of the Department may be made valid for a certain class of vehicles or a specific vehicle only.
40. The driver of a motor vehicle shall, on being so required by any police officer in uniform, forthwith produce his driving licence for examination, so as to enable such police officer to ascertain the name and address of the holder of the licence, the date of issue, and the transport officer by whom it was issued, and if he fails to do so, he shall be liable to a fine of twenty-five dollars.
41. The Department shall keep a record of all driving licences issued showing the name and address of the holder, the date of issue, the class of vehicle authorised and a record of any convictions ordered by a competent court to be endorsed on such licences.
42. Notwithstanding anything in this or any other Act or regulations, from and after 1st January 1975, a driving licence shall be issued or renewed to be and remain valid from the holder’s birth-date in the year of the issue or renewal until his birth-date in a subsequent year.
43.-(1) If a driving licence is lost, defaced, mutilated or rendered illegible, the Department shall issue a new licence on payment of the prescribed fee without further driving test.
(2) There shall be subscribed on a new licence issued under subsection (1), any endorsements made in the record in respect of such driving licence.
Production of driving licences. 30 of 1973.
Record of driving licences. 20 of 1990.
Duration of driving licences. 30 of 1973.
Re-issue of lost or defaced driving licence.
Fees.
20 of 1990.
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39
44.-(1) On or after the expiration of a driving licence by effluxion of time, and on application by the holder thereof for the issue of a new driving licence, the transport officer shall, subject to section 32 and this section, issue a new licence to the applicant.
(2) The Department may refuse to issue a driving licence to an applicant who is for the time being disqualified by decision of the court from holding or obtaining such a licence.
(3) Any applicant aggrieved by any act, order or refusal of the Department may appeal to the Minister.
45.-(1) The Department may issue a temporary driving licence for any period not exceeding three months to any applicant for it, when it is shown to its satisfaction that the applicant is a bona fide visitor to Belize. Such temporary driving licence may be granted with or without any driving test on the part of the applicant, but shall be subject to such conditions as may be stipulated on the licence and to the payment of the prescribed fee.
(2) The holder of a valid international driving licence issued elsewhere than in Belize and in accordance with an International Convention, or of a valid domestic driving licence issued elsewhere than in Belize shall, while such licence remains valid, be exempt from the requirement to hold a driving licence under this Part during a period of twelve months from the date of his last entry into Belize:
Provided that-
(a) this subsection shall not authorise a person to drive a motor vehicle of any class or description if, in consequence of a conviction or of the order of a court, he is disqualified from holding a driving licence under this Part;
(b) the Department may by Order contained in a statutory
20 of 1990.
Temporary driving licence and international driving licence.
14 of 1968.
Restrictions on the issue of new driving licence after expiration of former one.
instrument withdraw the rights conferred by this subsection on the holders of domestic driving licences or, in the case of domestic driving licences of a description specified in the Order, or held by persons of a description so specified;
(c) this subsection shall be without prejudice to section 36, but section 35 shall not apply in relation to a person driving in pursuance of this subsection a motor vehicle brought tempor- arily into Belize if he has attained the age of eighteen years.
(3) Where a person in Belize desires to drive a motor vehicle in any other country which shall have adhered to any International Convention, he may apply to the Department in the prescribed manner for an international driving licence. The applicant must comply with the requirements of the said Convention and shall, in addition to such other particulars as may be required by the Department, satisfy the latter that he is above the age of eighteen years and holds a valid driving licence to drive motor vehicles in Belize of the class or description mentioned in his application, and that he is ordinarily resident in Belize. The Department shall have power to issue international driving licences in accordance with any International Convention as aforesaid and on payment of the prescribed fee. Such licences shall remain in force for twelve months from the date of issue, unless such licence has ceased to be valid.
(4) The Department shall keep a register of all holders in Belize of valid international driving licences issued elsewhere than in Belize, and of all holders of international driving licences issued by it.
(5) An international driving licence referred to in subsection (3) may be issued to a person under eighteen years of age, if it is restricted to motor cycles and invalid carriages.
(6) In this section, the expression “international driving licence” means a driving licence issued under the authority of a country outside Belize which is a party to an International Convention and in accordance with such
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41
Convention, and the expression “domestic driving licence”, in relation to a country outside Belize, means a document issued under the law of that country and authorising the holder to drive motor vehicles, or a specified class or description of motor vehicles in that country.
(7) The First Schedule shall have effect as respects the driving licences referred to in this section.
PART V
Registration of Bicycles and Licensing of Dealers in Second-Hand Bicycles
46.-(1) The owner of every bicycle shall, before using such bicycle or allowing it to be used on a public road, register it with the Department on payment of the prescribed fee:
Provided that the Minister may remit the whole or any part of the registration fee in respect of a bicycle used in the public service.
(2) Any owner who uses any bicycle, or allows his bicycle to be used, without having a valid registration thereof from the Department commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding twenty-five dollars.
(3) The rider of any bicycle in respect of which the prescribed registration has not been obtained commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding twenty-five dollars.
(4) Where the rider of any bicycle is charged with an offence under subsection (3), the court may, upon the application of the rider, order that a summons be issued against any person alleged by the rider to be the owner of the bicycle, making such alleged owner the co-defendant in the case, and the court may, after hearing the evidence of all parties, make such order in regard to the payment of any fine and costs as to the court seems just.
Bicycles to be licenced. 20 of 1990.
20 of 1990.
20 of 1990.
First Schedule.
47. The registration of a bicycle granted under this Part shall be valid as long as such bicycle remains in use.
48.-(1) Every registration granted under this Part shall be in the prescribed form and shall be valid only in respect of the bicycle for which it has been issued.
(2) On the change of ownership of a bicycle, the registered owner and the new owner shall, within fourteen days of the date of such change, notify a transport officer in writing on the prescribed form.
(3) Such notification shall be signed by the registered owner and by the new owner and shall be accompanied by the registration for the bicycle and a transfer fee of the prescribed amount.
(4) The transport officer shall thereupon issue a new licence in the new owner’s name and enter that name in the records, and thereafter the new owner shall be deemed to be the registered owner of the bicycle.
49.-(1) Before any registration under this Part is granted, a requisition for it shall be made and signed by the owner or one of the owners of the bicycle in respect of which the registration is applied for.
(2) Every such requisition shall be in the prescribed form and shall be left at the office of the Department.
(3) Any person who, on applying for a registration, does not set forth truly in such requisition any of the particulars required to be set forth commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction for each offence to a fine not exceeding twenty-five dollars.
(4) A registration issued on a false requisition may be revoked by the Department.
Form of registration and transfer of registration. 20 of 1990.
20 of 1990.
20 of 1990.
Requisition for registration to be made by owner. 20 of 1990.
Validity of registration. 20 of 1990.
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43
50. A transport officer, before granting a registration in respect of a bicycle, may require the bicycle to be produced for his inspection.
51.-(1) A transport officer may refuse to grant a registration:-
(a) if proof of ownership of the bicycle sought to be registered is not furnished to the satisfaction of the transport officer; or
(b) if the manufacturer’s marks on a bicycle have been tampered with.
(2) Any person who considers himself aggrieved by a decision of the transport officer (other than the Commissioner of Transport) may appeal to the Commissioner of Transport, and any person who is dissatisfied with any decision of the Commissioner of Transport (whether on appeal or otherwise) may appeal to the Minister, and thereafter, to the Supreme Court.
52.-(1) Every person obtaining a registration under this Part shall be supplied by the Department with a registration plate which the owner shall cause to be affixed to the bicycle in respect of which the registration is obtained.
(2) The registration plate shall be affixed to such part of the bicycle as may be prescribed.
(3) If any bicycle is used without having a registration plate affixed thereto, the owner thereof and any person using it shall each commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding fifty dollars.
53.-(1) If a bicycle registration or registration plate is lost, defaced, mutilated or rendered illegible, the Department may, on payment of the prescribed fee, issue another registration or registration plate.
Transport officer may refuse to grant registration. 20 of 1990.
20 of 1990.
Registration plates. 20 of 1990.
Re-issue of lost or defaced registration or registration plate. 20 of 1990.
Transport officer may require production of bicycle. 20 of 1990.
20 of 1990.
(2) If any registration or registration plate as mentioned in subsection (1) is subsequently found, it shall be delivered up forthwith to the Department, and any person knowingly retaining or having in his possession such registration or registration plate commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding twenty-five dollars.
54. Any person who, having a bicycle registration, refuses or neglects without sufficient excuse to produce and deliver it to be examined and read by any transport officer or any police officer within a reasonable time after request by such officer commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding ten dollars.
55. Any police officer or transport officer may take possession of any bicycle which is being used without a registration plate affixed thereto, and may detain such bicycle until proof of ownership is furnished to the satisfaction of the Department.
56.-(1) The Department shall cause to be kept records in which shall be entered the names of every person taking out a registration, his place of abode or business, the number of every licence plate issued, the date on which it was granted, the sum paid for it and the description of the bicycle in respect of which such registration was granted.
(2) A copy of any entry made in any record, and purporting to be certified as a true copy by the person having charge thereof, shall be received as evidence in all courts, and shall be deemed sufficient proof of all things therein registered, without requiring the production of any such record or of any requisition, notice, or other document upon which any such entry may be founded.
57. In every case where there is more than one owner of any bicycle, it shall be sufficient in any complaint, summons, order, conviction, warrant, or other proceeding under this Part, to name one of such owners without reference to any other or others of them and to proceed as if he were sole owner.
Penalty for not producing registration. 20 of 1990.
Police officer may detain bicycle. 20 of 1990.
Register for registration. 20 of 1990.
Co-owners.
20 of 1990.
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45
58. All fines imposed under this Part or any regulations shall be recoverable on summary conviction.
59. With respect to sections 60 to 72 inclusive, “deal in second-hand bicycles” includes any transaction of purchase, sale or exchange of second- hand bicycles as well as the carrying on of the business of repairing bicycles.
60. No person shall deal in second-hand bicycles and second-hand bicycle parts except in accordance with a licence in the form of the Second or Third Schedule issued under this Act.
61.-(1) Every person who desires to be registered to deal in second-hand bicycles shall make application in one of the forms prescribed in the Fourth and Fifth Schedules, as the case may be, to the magistrate of the district in which he desires to deal in secondhand bicycles.
(2) Every application under subsection (1) shall specify the premises upon which the applicant desires to deal in second-hand bicycles and shall be accompanied by a fee of five dollars.
(3) Every person who intends to apply for a licence under this Act shall give not less than fourteen days’ notice of his intention to do so to the officer or non-commissioned officer of Police in charge of the district in which the premises upon which he desires to deal in second-hand bicycles are situate.
62.-(1) The magistrate shall consider every application made under section 61 and shall, subject to section 63, either grant or refuse the licence as he may in his absolute discretion think fit.
(2) Every licence granted under subsection (1) shall come into force on the date specified therein and shall expire on 31st December next after the
Recovery of fines.
Interpretation of “deal in second- hand bicycles”.
Dealing in second-hand bicycles, etc., prohibited except under a licence. Second Schedule. Third Schedule.
Application for a licence. Fourth Schedule. Fifth Schedule.
Consideration of application.
date on which it came into force.
63. The magistrate shall refuse any application for a licence under this Act-
(a) if the applicant has been convicted of any breach of this Act during the three years next preceding the date of the applica- tion; or
(b) if the applicant has been convicted of any offence involving fraud or dishonesty during the five years next preceding the date of the application; or
(c) unless he is satisfied that the applicant has complied with the requirements of section 61 (3).
64. The magistrate of any district may, under application of any person licensed under this Act to deal in second-hand bicycles upon any premises situate in that district, order that such licence be transferred to any other premises situate in that district, and thereupon this Act shall apply to the premises specified in such order as if those premises had been the premises specified in the application made under section 61.
65.-(1) Over one of the principal entrances to the premises in respect of which a licence has been granted under this Act, there shall be placed a Department on which shall be printed in legible letters at least two inches in height the name in full of the licensee and the words “Licensed to deal in second-hand bicycles”, but where any person is licensed to repair bicycles only, there shall be printed on the Department the words “Licensed to repair bicycles”.
(2) Any licensee who contravenes or fails to comply with subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars or to imprisonment for a term not
Grounds on which licence shall be refused.
Transfer of licence.
Sign board to be erected by licensee.
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47
exceeding three months.
66.-(1) Every licensee shall keep such books and shall enter therein such particulars in relation to his dealings in second-hand bicycles as are necessary to comply with the requirements of the Sixth and Seventh Schedules.
(2) Every licensee shall licence any police officer at all reasonable times to inspect a book kept under this section and any bicycle or bicycle part upon his premises on which he is licensed to deal in second-hand bicycles and second-hand bicycle parts, and he shall afford to any police officer all such information as may be required concerning such book or his dealings in second- hand bicycles or second-hand bicycle parts or any repairs to bicycles effected or to be effected by him.
67.-(1) No licensee shall purchase or exchange any second-hand bicycle-
(a) except between the hours of six o’clock in the morning and six o’clock in the evening;
(b) from or with any person apparently under the age of sixteen years;
(c) from or with any person as to whose identity he is not satisfied.
(2) No licensee shall receive for repair any bicycle-
(a) except between the hours of six o’clock in the morning and eight o’clock in the evening, unless specially authorised to do so under a licence in writing granted by the Police;
(b) from any person apparently under the age of sixteen years;
(c) from any person as to whose identity he is not satisfied.
Licensee required to keep books. Sixth Schedule. Seventh Schedule.
Restriction on certain transactions.
(3) No licensee shall purchase, sell or exchange any second- hand bicycle or second-hand bicycle part, or receive for repair any bicycle elsewhere than upon the premises in respect of which he is licensed under this Act.
68.-(1) Subject to subsection (2), no licensee shall within fifteen days of the acquisition of any second-hand bicycle or second-hand bicycle part dispose of, disfigure, dismantle or in any way alter the shape, colour or form of such bicycle except with the written permission of an officer or non-commissioned officer in charge of a Police Station.
(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply to any second-hand bicycle or second-hand bicycle part received by a licensee for the purpose only of effecting repairs thereto.
69. Every licensee who, after notice has been given to him by a police officer that any specified bicycle or specified bicycle part has been stolen or fraudulently obtained, fails to give information to the Police that a bicycle or part of a bicycle of the like description was offered to him or was or is in his possession commits an offence against sections 60 to 72.
70.-(1) Any justice of the peace, upon being satisfied by evidence upon oath that there is reasonable cause to believe that any bicycle or part of a bicycle which has been stolen or otherwise unlawfully obtained is upon any premises belonging to or occupied by any licensee, may grant a warrant in the form in the Eighth Schedule authorising any police officer with such assistance as may be necessary to enter, with force if necessary, any premises specified in the warrant and to take any such bicycle or part of a bicycle found therein and bring it before a magistrate of the district in which such premises are situate.
(2) Where, pursuant to subsection (1), any bicycle or any part of a bicycle is taken before the magistrate, he shall issue his warrant or summons requiring the licensee of the premises upon which such bicycle or part of a bicycle was found to appear before him at a time and place specified in the
Restriction on disposing of, disfiguring or dismantling second-hand bicycles.
Penalty for failure to give information.
Search warrant.
Eighth Schedule.
,
49
summons to account for his possession of the bicycle or part of a bicycle.
(3) Any licensee who fails to satisfy the magistrate that his possession of the bicycle or part of a bicycle was lawful commits an offence against sections 60 to 72.
71. Every person who acts in contravention of any of the provisions of sections 60 to 72 for which no special punishment is provided, commits an offence and shall on summary conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding four hundred dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months, or to both such fine and term of imprisonment.
72. Where a person licensed under sections 60 to 72 is convicted of an offence against any of those sections, the court may, if it thinks fit, cancel or suspend the licence of that person.
PART VI
Driving and Other Offences and General Conditions Relating to the Use of Roads
73.-(1) No person shall drive a motor vehicle of such class or description as the Minister may by Order from time to time specify at a speed greater than the speed specified in the Order as the maximum speed in relation to a vehicle of that class or description and on a road described in the Order.
(2) Any person who acts in contravention of this section commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars and shall be disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for such period as the court thinks fit.
(3) A person charged under this section with the offence of driving a motor vehicle of such class or description on such a road at a speed greater than the maximum speed allowed in the case of a vehicle of that class or
General penalty.
Power to cancel licence, etc.
Speed.
description, shall not be liable to be convicted of the offence solely on the evidence of one witness to the effect that in the opinion of the witness the person charged was driving the vehicle at such greater speed.
(4) Any person who aids, abets, counsels, or procures any person who is employed by him to drive a motor vehicle on a road, whether as registered owner or as a temporary possessor of the use of a motor vehicle under a hiring agreement, to commit an offence under this section commits an offence.
(5) The Department may by Order published in the Gazette, prohibit the driving of motor vehicles generally or of particular classes of motor vehicles over any bridge at a speed greater than that specified in such Order or weighing more than a weight specified in such Order, and the limit of speed or weight to be observed shall be indicated on notice Departments to be fixed at such bridge.
(6) Any Order made by the Minister under subsection (1) is subject to affirmative resolution.
74.-(1) Any person who, when driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle on a road or other public place, is unfit to drive through drink or drugs commits an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine which shall not be less than five hundred dollars, or to imprisonment for one year or to both, and in case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine which shall not be less than one thousand dollars but which may extend to five thousand dollars or to imprisonment for two years, or to both such fine and term of imprisonment.
(2) Without prejudice to subsection (1) above, a person who, when in charge of motor vehicle which is on a road or other public place, is unfit to drive through drink or drugs commits an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of five hundred dollars or to imprisonment for six months, or to both such fine and term of imprisonment.
Driving, or being in charge, when under influence of drink or drugs. 20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
,
51
(3) For the purpose of subsection (2) above, a person shall be deemed not to have been in charge of a motor vehicle if he proves that at the material time the circumstances were such that there was no likelihood of his driving it so long as he remained unfit to drive through drink or drugs, but in determining whether there was such a likelihood the court may disregard any injury to him or any damage to the vehicle.
(4) For the purposes of this section, a person shall be taken to be unfit to drive if his ability to drive properly is for the time being impaired.
(5) A police officer may arrest a person without warrant if he has reasonable cause to suspect that the person is or has been committing an offence under this section.
(6) For the purpose of arresting a person under the power conferred by subsection (5) above, a police officer may enter any place where that person is or where the police officer, with reasonable cause, suspects him to be.
(7) A person convicted of an offence under this section may be disqualified for a period of twelve months from the date of the conviction from holding or obtaining a Belize Driving Licence, but on a second or subsequent conviction for a like offence he shall be permanently disqualified for holding or obtaining a Belize Driving Licence.
75.-(1) If a person:-
(a) drives or attempts to drive a motor vehicle on a road or other public place; or
(b) is in charge of a motor vehicle on a road or other public place;
after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in his blood or urine exceeds the prescribed limit, he commits an offence.
Driving, or being in charge, with alcohol concentration above the prescribed limit. 20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
(2) It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (1) (b) above to prove that at the time he is alleged to have committed the offence, the circumstances were such that there was no likelihood of his driving the vehicle whilst the proportion of alcohol in his blood or urine remained likely to exceed the prescribed limit; but in determining whether there was such a likelihood the court may disregard any injury to him or any damage to the vehicle.
(3) A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) (a) above shall be liable on summary conviction to the same penalties as prescribed in subsection (1) of section 74, and a person who commits an offence under section (1) (b) above shall be liable on summary conviction to the same penalties as prescribed in subsection (2) of section 74.
(4) A person convicted of an offence under this section shall be liable to disqualification for holding or obtaining a Belize Driving Licence in the same manner and for the same periods as prescribed in subsection (7) of section 74.
76.-(1) Where a police officer in uniform has reasonable cause to suspect-
(a) that a person driving or attempting to drive or in charge of a motor vehicle on a road or other public place has alcohol in his body or has committed a traffic offence whilst the vehicle was in motion; or
(b) that a person has been driving or attempting to drive or been in charge of a motor vehicle on a road or other public place with alcohol in his body and that person still has alcohol in his body; or
(c) that a person has been driving or attempting to drive or been in charge of a motor vehicle on a road or other public place and has committed a traffic offence whilst the vehicle was in
Requirement to go to police station or hospital. 20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
,
53
motion;
he may, subject to section 78 below, require him to accompany him to a police station or a hospital for providing specimens of blood or urine for analysis.
(2) If an accident occurs owing to the presence of a motor vehicle on a road or other public place, a police officer may require any person whom he has reasonable cause to believe was driving or attempting to drive or who was in charge of the vehicle at the time of the accident to accompany him to a police station or a hospital for providing specimens of blood and urine for analysis, but subject to section 78 below.
(3) A person who, without reasonable excuse, fails or refuses to accompany the police officer to a police station or hospital in pursuance of this section commits an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of five hundred dollars or to imprisonment for six months or to both, and in addition, he shall be disqualified for holding or obtaining a Belize Driving Licence for a period of twelve months from the date of conviction, unless the court for special reason thinks fit to order otherwise.
(4) In this section, “traffic offence” means an offence under any provisions of this Act or the regulations made thereunder, or an offence under section 108 of the Criminal Code caused through a motor vehicle.
77.-(1) In the course of an investigation, whether a person has committed an offence under section 74 or section 75 of this Act, a police officer may, subject to the following provisions of this section and section 78 below, require him to provide a specimen of blood or urine for a laboratory test.
(2) A requirement under this section to provide a specimen of blood can only be made at a police station or at a hospital unless in presence of a registered medical practitioner and unless adequate facilities exist for the taking of such a specimen.
Provisions of specimens for analysis. 20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
CAP. 101.
(3) If the provision of a specimen is required in pursuance of this section, the question whether it is to be a specimen of blood or a specimen of urine shall be decided by the police officer making the requirement, except that if a registered medical practitioner is of the opinion that for medical reasons a specimen of blood cannot or should not be taken, the specimen shall be a specimen of urine.
(4) A specimen of urine shall be provided within one hour of the requirement for its provision being made and after the provision of a previous specimen of urine.
(5) A person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to provide a specimen when required to do so in pursuance of this section commits an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of five hundred dollars or to imprisonment for six months or to both, and in addition he shall be disqualified for holding or obtaining a Belize Driving Licence for a period of twelve months from the date of conviction.
(6) On requiring any person to provide a specimen in pursuance of this section a police officer shall warn him that a failure to provide it may render him liable to prosecution.
78.-(1) While a person is at a hospital as a patient, he shall not be required to provide a specimen for a laboratory test unless the medical practitioner in immediate charge of his case has been notified of the proposal to make the requirement, and -
(a) if the requirement is then made it shall be for the provision of a specimen at the hospital; but
(b) if the medical practitioner objects on the ground specified in subsection (2) below the requirement shall not be made.
(2) The ground on which the medical practitioner may object is
Protection for hospital patients. 20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
,
55
that the requirement for the provision of a specimen or the warning required under section 77 (6) above, would be prejudicial to the proper care and treatment of the patient.
79.-(1) The following provision apply with respect to proceedings for an offence under section 74 or section 75 of this Act.
(2) Evidence of the proportion of alcohol or any drug in a specimen of blood or urine provided by the accused shall, in all cases, be taken into account, and it shall be assumed that the proportion of alcohol in the accused’s blood or urine at the time of the alleged offence was not less than in the specimen; but if the proceedings are for an offence under section 75 of this Act , or for an offence under section 74 of this Act in a case where the accused is alleged to have been unfit through drink, the assumption shall not be made if the accused proves-
(a) that he consumed alcohol after he had ceased to drive, attempt to drive or be in charge of a motor vehicle on a road or other public place and before he provided the specimen; and
(b) that had he not done so, the proportion of alcohol in his blood or urine would not have exceeded the prescribed limit and, if the proceedings are for an offence under section 74 of this Act, would not have been such as to impair his ability to drive properly.
(3) Evidence of the proportion of alcohol or a drug in a specimen of blood or urine may, subject to subsection (5) and (6) below, be given by the production of a document or documents purporting to be a certificate signed by an authorised analyst as to the proportion of alcohol or any drug found in a specimen of blood or urine identified in the certificate.
(4) A specimen of blood shall be is disregarded unless it was taken
Evidence in proceedings under section 74 or 75.
20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
20 of 1992. 20 of 1992.
from the accused with his consent by a registered medical practitioner; but evidence that a specimen of blood was so taken may be given by the production of a document purporting to certify that fact and to be signed by a registered medical practitioner.
(5) Where, at the time a specimen of blood or urine was provided by the accused, he asked to be supplied with such a specimen, evidence of the proportion of alcohol or any other drug found in the specimen is not admissible on behalf of the prosecution unless-
(a) the specimen in which the alcohol or drug was found is one of two parts into which the specimen provided by the accused was divided at the time it was provided ; and
(b) the other part was supplied to accused.
(6) In this section “authorised analyst “ means the government analytical chemist or any other person authorised by the Minister to make analysis for the purposes of this section.
80. A person required to provide a specimen of blood or urine may thereafter be detained at the police station until it appears to a police officer that, were that person then driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle on a road, he would not be committing an offence under section 74 or section 75 of this Act; but-
(a) a person shall not be detained in pursuance to this section if it appears to a police officer that there is no likelihood of his driving or attempting to drive whilst his ability to drive properly is impaired or whilst the proportion of alcohol in his blood or urine exceeds the prescribed limit; and
(b) a police officer shall consult a registered medical practitioner on any question arising under this section whether a person’s
Detention of persons affected by alcohol or a drug. 20 of 1992.
20 of 1992.
,
57
ability to drive properly is or might be impaired through drugs and shall act on the medical practitioner’s advice.
81.-(1) The following provisions apply for the interpretation of sections 74 to 80 of this Act.
(2) In those sections-
“drug” includes any intoxicant other than alcohol;
“fail” includes refuse;
“hospital” means an institution which provides medical or surgical treatment for in-patients or out-patients;
“the prescribed limit” means, as the case may require-
(a) 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood; or
(b) 107 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 milliliters of urine,
or such other proportion as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister;
“police officer” includes a traffic warden.
(3) A person provides a specimen of blood if, and only if, he consents to its being taken by a registered medical practitioner or a registered nurse and it is so taken.
82.- (1) Any person who drives a motor vehicle on a road recklessly, or at a speed or in a manner which is dangerous to the public, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, including the nature, condition and use of the road, and the amount of traffic which is actually at the time, or which might reasonably
20 of 1992. 18 of 1998.
Reckless driving.
Interpretation of sections 74 to 80. 20 of 1992.
be expected to be on the road, commits an offence and is liable to a fine of two hundred and fifty dollars or to imprisonment for six months, or to both, and in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, either to a fine of five hundred dollars or to such imprisonment as aforesaid, or to both such fine and term of imprisonment.
(2) A person convicted of an offence under this section may be disqualified from holding or obtaining a Belize Driving Licence for such period as the court thinks fit subject to the following provisions-
(a) after the first offence, the period or disqualification shall not exceed six months;
(b) after the second offence the period shall not exceed two years; and
(c) after the third offence, the disqualification may be permanent.
(3) Any police officer may arrest without warrant the driver of any motor vehicle who commits an offence under this section within his view, if he refuses to give his name and address or if the police officer has reason to believe that the name or address so given is false, or if the motor vehicle does not bear an identification plate.
83.-(1) Any person who drives a motor vehicle on a road without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road commits an offence and is liable to a fine of one hundred dollars and to be disqualified for holding or obtaining a Belize Driving Licence for such period as the court shall think fit.
(2) On a second or subsequent conviction for an offence under this section, the period of disqualification shall, unless the court for special reasons thinks fit to order otherwise, be not less than one month.
Careless driving.
,
59
84.-(1) Where a person is prosecuted for an offence under any of the preceding sections relating respectively to the maximum speed at which motor vehicles may be driven, to reckless or dangerous driving, and to careless driving, he shall not be convicted unless either-
(a) he was warned on the day the offence was committed that the question of prosecuting him for an offence under some one or other of the sections aforesaid would be taken into conside- ration; or
(b) within fourteen days of the commission of the offence a sum- mons for the offence was served on him; or
(c) within the said fourteen days a notice of the intended prosecu- tion specifying the nature of the alleged offence and the time and place where it is alleged to have been committed was served or sent by registered post to him or to the person registered as the owner of the vehicle at the time of the commission of the offence.
(2) Failure to comply with this requirement shall not be a bar to the conviction of the accused in any case where the court is satisfied that-
(a) neither the name and address of the accused nor the name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle could with reasonable diligence have been ascertained in time for a summons to be served or for a notice to be served or sent as aforesaid; or
(b) the accused by his own conduct contributed to the failure.
(3) The requirement of this section shall in every case be deemed to have been complied with unless and until the contrary is proved.
Warning to be given of intended prosecution.
85.-(1) Subject to subsection (2), any person who uses a vehicle without the consent of the owner or other lawful authority commits an offence.
(2) A person shall not be convicted under this section if he proves either-
(a) that he had good reason to believe, and did in fact believe, that the owner of the vehicle would, had he been present, have consented to the vehicle being used in the manner in which it was used; or
(b) that he had reasonable cause to believe and did in fact believe, that he had lawful authority to use the vehicle.
(3) If any person is convicted under this section, the magistrate may, if he thinks fit, either in addition to or without inflicting any punishment, order that the person convicted do pay to the owner of the vehicle either or both of the following sums, namely-
(a) such sum as, in the opinion of the magistrate, would have been charged if the vehicle had been hired by the person convicted;
(b) such sum as, in the opinion of the magistrate, represents fair compensation for any damage done to and for the use of the vehicle.
(4) If, on the trial of any indictment for stealing a vehicle, the jury are of the opinion that the defendant was not guilty of stealing the vehicle but was guilty of an offence under this section, the jury may find him guilty of an offence under this section and thereupon he shall be liable to be punished accordingly.
(5) Any police officer may arrest without a warrant any person suspected by him of having committed an offence under this section.
Taking vehicle without consent of owner.
,
61
86.-(1) Subject to subsection (2), any person who, without the knowledge or permission of the owner, gets on to, rides on, or attempts to manipulate any of the levers, the starter, brakes, or machinery of, a motor vehicle, or in any way interferes with or damages a motor vehicle while the vehicle is on a road or parking place commits an offence.
(2) A person shall not be convicted under this section when such motor vehicle is obstructing his own or another motor vehicle.
87.-(1) The rider of a bicycle shall not carry on a public road any other person thereon except a child under ten years of age who may be carried only on a seat or carrier constructed and attached in front of the handle bars or over the rear wheel or on a step in a manner approved by the Commissioner of Police.
(2) If any person is carried on a bicycle in contravention of subsection (1), each of the persons carried commits an offence and is liable, in the case of a first conviction, to a fine of twenty-five dollars, and in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine of fifty dollars.
88.-(1) It shall not be lawful for more than two persons to ride abreast on a road either upon motor cycles or bicycles, provided that a person shall not be convicted under this section in respect of the overtaking of two persons so riding and in the absence of other traffic on the road at the point of overtaking.
(2) It shall not be lawful for any person while riding a motor cycle or a bicycle on a road-
(a) to hold on to any other moving vehicle; or
(b) to ride such motor cycle or bicycle without at least one hand being on the handle bars of such motor cycle or bicycle.
Restrictions on persons being carried on bicycles.
Restriction on cyclist riding abreast or holding on to other moving vehicles.
Interfering with motor vehicle.
(3) It shall not be lawful for more than one person, in addition to the driver, to be carried on any two-wheeled motor cycle, nor shall it be lawful for any such one person to be so carried otherwise than on a proper seat securely fixed to the motor cycle behind the driver’s seat.
(4) Any person who contravenes this section commits an offence and is liable, in the case of a first conviction, to a fine of ten dollars, and in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine of twenty-five dollars.
89.-(1) Where, owing to the presence of a vehicle on a road, an accident occurs whereby injury or damage is caused to any person, animal or property, the driver of the vehicle shall immediately stop, and-
(a) if any person has been injured in the accident, the driver shall render such person aid, and if the person wishes to be taken to a hospital or to a doctor, or is unconscious, convey or cause to be conveyed the injured person without delay to the nearest hospital or to a doctor;
(b) if requested by the injured person or by the owner of the damaged animal or property or some person on such owner’s behalf, the driver shall give his name and address and particulars of his driving licence and the name and address of the owner of the vehicle;
(c) unless a report is made by the driver at the time and place of the accident to a member of the Police Department, the person riding in, driving or in charge of the vehicle shall proceed with all proper despatch to the nearest Police station or police constable in uniform and shall report the accident, and shall give his name and address and the name and address of the owner of the vehicle and the names of any persons in the vehicle at the time of the accident.
Duty to stop, give aid, and report in case of accident.
42 of 1999.
,
63
(2) In this section, “animal” means any horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep, pig, goat or dog.
(3) Any person who fails to comply with or otherwise contravenes this section commits an offence.
PART VII
Legal Proceedings, Suspension, Cancellation and Endorsement of Driving licences
90. Where a person is charged summarily before a magistrate with an offence under section 74, 75 or 82 and the magistrate is of the opinion that the offence is not proved, then, at any time during the hearing or immediately thereafter, the magistrate may, without prejudice to any other powers possessed by him, direct or allow a charge for an offence under section 83 to be preferred forthwith against the defendant and may thereupon proceed with that charge, so however, that the defendant or his attorney or counsel shall be informed of the new charge and be given an opportunity whether by way of cross-examining any witness whose evidence has already been given against the defendant or otherwise of answering the new charge, and the magistrate shall, if he considers that the defendant is prejudiced in his defence by reason of the new charge being preferred, adjourn the hearing.
91. The court before which a person is convicted of any offence in connection with the driving of a motor vehicle may, in addition to any other penalty provided for such offence, order that the offender be disqualified for a stated period or permanently from obtaining a driving licence either generally or limited to the driving of a motor vehicle of any particular class or description, and if the offender holds a driving licence the court shall unless for special reasons it thinks fit to order otherwise, endorse upon the licence particulars of the conviction and penalty, and when an order of disqualification is made such licence shall be forfeited and returned to the Department.
Power to proceed on charge for careless driving on hearing of charges under section 74, 75 or 82. 20 of 1992.
Powers of court to order disqualification from obtaining a driving licence and to endorse and cancel licences.
92. A person who by virtue of an order of a court under section 91 is disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence may appeal against the order in the same manner as against a conviction, and the court may, if it thinks fit, pending the appeal, suspend the operation of the order.
93. Every person who is convicted before any court of an offence in connection with the driving of a motor vehicle, shall, if he holds a driving licence, produce such licence within such time as the court may direct for the purpose of endorsement thereon of particulars of such conviction, and if he is not then the holder of a driving licence, but subsequently within six months of such conviction obtains a licence, shall within five days after so obtaining the licence produce it to the court for the purpose of endorsement.
94.-(1) Subject to subsection (2), a court which suspends or cancels a driving licence, or declares a person disqualified from obtaining a driving licence shall forthwith send to the Department every suspended or cancelled driving licence, and at the expiration of the period of suspension, the Department shall return the licence to the owner on demand.
(2) Where the disqualification to which a person has become subject is limited to the driving of a motor vehicle of a particular class or description, the Department shall forthwith after the receipt of the driving licence indicate on the licence in the usual manner the class or description of vehicle which the holder of the licence is not thereby authorised to drive, and the licence shall then be returned to the holder, and at the expiration of the period of disqualification, the holder shall again forward the licence to the Department, which shall thereupon indicate on the licence that the restriction imposed during the period of disqualification has been removed.
95.-(1) A driving licence suspended by a court shall, during the period of suspension, be of no effect and a person whose licence is suspended, or who is declared by the court to be disqualified for obtaining a licence, shall during the period of such suspension or disqualification, be disqualified from obtaining a driving licence.
Custody of licence while suspended or cancelled.
Suspended licence to be of no effect.
18 of 1998.
Production of driving licence for endorsement.
Right of appeal.
,
65
(2) A person who, by virtue of a conviction or order, is disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence, may, at any time after the expiration of three months from the date of the conviction or order, and from time to time, apply to the court before which he was convicted or by which the order was made to remove the disqualification, and on any such application the court may, as it thinks proper, having regard to the character of the person disqualified and his conduct subsequent to the conviction or order, the nature of the offence, and any other circumstances of the case, either by order remove the disqualification as from such date as may be specified in the order or refuse the application.
(3) Where an application under subsection (2) is refused, a further application thereunder shall not be entertained if made within three months after the date of the refusal.
(4) Where the court orders a disqualification to be removed, the court shall cause particulars of the order to be endorsed on the licence, if any, previously held by the applicant and the court shall in any case have power to order the applicant to pay the whole or any part of the costs of the application.
96.-(1) If and when any person is charged with manslaughter arising out of the use of any motor vehicle, or with contravening section 74, 75 or 82, the Department may order the suspension of the driving licence of the person so charged pending the determination of the charge.
(2) Any such licence so suspended shall on demand by any police officer or an officer of the Department be surrendered to such officer who shall forthwith forward it to the clerk of the court before which the person so charged is to appear.
97. If any person who under this Part is disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence applies for or obtains a licence while he is so disqualified, or if any person while he is so disqualified drives a motor vehicle or, if the disqualification is limited to the driving of a motor vehicle of a particular class or
Temporary suspension of licence pending determination of charges.
Fraudulent application for driving licence.
20 of 1992. 20 of 1992.
description, a motor vehicle of that class or description on a road, or if any person who has been refused a licence applies for or obtains a licence without disclosing such refusal he commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of two hundred and fifty dollars or to imprisonment for six months, or to both such fine and term of imprisonment.
98. On the issue of a new driving licence to any person, the particulars endorsed on any previous licence held by him shall be copied on to the new licence unless he has previously become entitled under section 100 to have a licence issued to him free from endorsement.
99. If any person whose driving licence has been ordered to be endorsed, and who has not previously become entitled under section 100 to have a licence issued to him free from endorsement, applies for or obtains a licence without giving particulars of the order, he commits an offence, and any licence so obtained shall be of no effect.
100.-(1) Where a person in respect of whom an order has been made under this Part requiring the endorsement of any driving licence held by him has, during a continuous period of three years or upwards since the order was made, had no such order made against him, he shall be entitled, on application and subject to payment of the prescribed fee and to the surrender of any subsisting licence, at any time, to have issued to him a new licence free from endorsement.
(2) In reckoning the period of three years specified in subsection (1), any period during which the person was by virtue of the order disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence shall be excluded.
Particulars of endorsement to be copied on new licence.
Non-disclosure of endorsement.
Issue of new licence free from endorsement.
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67
PART VIII
General
101.-(1) The fees and duties prescribed under section 20 (2) shall be payable to the Department in respect of the several matters to which they are applicable.
(2) All fees and duties received by the Department under section 20 (2) shall be paid to the Accountant General on account of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
(3) The fees and charges levied by regulation made under this Act for the entry of certain classes of vehicles into the limits of any city or town shall be paid to the credit of the respective City Council or Town Board.
102. Any person who fraudulently imitates, alters, mutilates, destroys, or uses, or fraudulently lends or allows to be used by any other person any identification mark, motor vehicle licence, certificate of registration or driving licence issued or deemed to have been issued under this Act commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of two hundred and fifty dollars or to imprisonment for six months, or to both such fine and term of imprisonment.
103.-(1) Any person who, by any act or omission, contravenes or fails to comply with the provisions of this Act shall, unless otherwise specially provided, be liable on summary conviction before a magistrate to a fine of two hundred and fifty dollars or to imprisonment for six months.
(2) Any person who, by any act or omission, contravenes or fails to comply with any regulations commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of one hundred dollars or to imprisonment for two months, or to both such fine and term of imprisonment.
(3) The driver of a motor vehicle who contravenes or fails to comply with any order made under this Act commits an offence.
Fraudulent imitation, etc., of documents.
Offences and general penalty.
20 of 1990.
20 of 1992.
Fees and duties.
(4) Unless otherwise expressly provided, all offences under Parts I to IV inclusive and Parts VI to VIII inclusive may be prosecuted, and all penalties incurred may be imposed or recovered, on summary conviction.
104. Nothing in this Act shall affect any liability of the driver or owner of a motor vehicle by virtue of any Act or at common law.
105.-(1) If the driver or conductor of any motor vehicle who commits an offence against this Act or any regulations refuses to give his name and address or gives a false name or address, he commits an offence.
(2) Where the driver of a vehicle is alleged to be guilty of an offence against this Act or any regulations or of any offence involving dishonesty towards a passenger or with respect to any goods or freight carried on a vehicle-
(a) the owner of the vehicle shall give such information as he may be required by or on behalf of the police to give as to the identity of the driver, and if he fails to do so within four days of his being notified of such request he commits an offence unless he shows to the satisfaction of the court that he did not know and could not with reasonable diligence have ascertained who the driver was; and
(b) any other person shall, if required as aforesaid, give any information which it is in his power to give and which may lead to the identification of the driver, and if he fails to do so, he commits an offence.
(3) Any police officer may arrest without a warrant the driver or conductor of any motor vehicle who within his view commits an offence under this Act or under the regulations, unless the driver or conductor either gives his name and address or produces his licence for examination.
Liability at common law.
Refusing to give name or address or giving false name or address.
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69
106. Any person who, in or in connection with an application for a motor vehicle licence or the registration of a motor vehicle, or a Belize Driving Licence or the endorsement of such a licence, or any change or correction in a motor vehicle licence or the registration of a motor vehicle or in giving any information lawfully demanded or required under this Act or any regulations made thereunder, makes any statement which to his knowledge is false or in any material respect misleading, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of two hundred and fifty dollars or to imprisonment for six months, or to both such fine and term of imprisonment.
107. Any authority or person having power to issue any certificate or licence under this Act shall, on proof to his satisfaction that such certificate or licence has been lost or destroyed, and on payment of the prescribed fee, issue a duplicate of the certificate or licence to the person entitled thereto.
108.-(1) If-
(a) any motor vehicle is used which does not comply with or contra- venes any provisions of this Act or of any regulations, or of any order lawfully made under this Act or any regulations; or
(b) any motor vehicle is used in such a state or condition or in such manner as to contravene such provisions; or
(c) anything is done or omitted in connection with a motor vehicle in contravention of any such provisions,
then, unless otherwise expressly provided by this Act, the driver or person in charge of the motor vehicle at the time of the offence commits an offence unless the offence was not due to any act, omission, neglect or default on his part.
(2) Any person authorised in writing by the Department may at all reasonable times enter any premises for the purpose of ascertaining whether any vehicle is kept on such premises contrary to this Act, and for the purpose of
Liability of driver and owner for offence.
Giving false information.
Duplicate licences, permits and certificates.
inspecting any vehicle on such premises.
109.-(1) The driver or other person in charge of a motor vehicle or trailer licensed according to its maximum gross weight may on demand by any person authorised in writing by the Department, or by a police officer be required to satisfy such person or police officer that the load which is being carried on such motor vehicle or trailer does not contravene the provisions of the licence or this Act or any regulations and may be required by such person or police officer to drive him with the vehicle or trailer to the nearest weighing machine for the purpose of weighing the load.
(2) Any person who fails or omits to comply with a request to proceed to the weighing machine as aforesaid commits an offence and may be arrested forthwith without a warrant and he shall on summary conviction be liable to a penalty of fifty dollars.
(3) Any vehicle or trailer as mentioned in subsection (1) may be detained at the expense and risk of the owner and taken to a place for safekeeping until such request is complied with, and any excess load found on weighing shall first be removed before the vehicle or trailer is licensed to proceed on its journey.
(4) The Department or any person authorised by the Department, may before granting a licence (including a renewal) in respect of a motor vehicle or trailer, require such motor vehicle or trailer to be weighed by and at the expense of the owner in the presence of a person authorised by the Department or require the person applying for the licence to produce the manufacturer’s specifications or such other evidence as to the weight of the vehicle as the Department may consider necessary.
110.-(1) If, by reason of an offence against this Act or any regulations, any injury is caused to any road or bridge, the authority responsible for the repair of the road or bridge may cause such injury to be made good, and may, either before or after the injury is made good, recover the estimated or actual cost
Recovery of damage to road or bridge.
Power to require motor vehicles licensed according to maximum gross weight to be weighed.
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71
thereof from the owner of the motor vehicle by the use of which the offence was committed.
(2) A certificate under the hand of the Chief Engineer, or any person authorised by him in that behalf, of the amount of the cost of making good the injury mentioned in this section, shall, without proof of signature, be sufficient evidence of the amount payable by the owner of the vehicle unless the contrary is proved.
111. If, in any proceedings under this Act, any question arises as to whether a motor vehicle does or does not comply with any provisions of this Act or any regulations, the certificate of any person appointed by the Commissioner of Police with the approval of the Minister by notice in the Gazette to act as an inspector for the purposes of this Act that he has examined the vehicle and as to the result of his examination shall be admissible in evidence and shall be sufficient prima facie evidence of any fact or opinion stated therein relating to the matter in question, and the court shall not licence the officer to be called for cross- examination on the certificate unless contrary evidence is given which appears to the court to be credible, or unless for any reason the court considers cross- examination to be necessary in the interests of justice.
112.-(1) The Minister may make regulations in respect of all or any of the following matters-
(a) anything which by this Act may or is to be prescribed;
(b) the forms to be used under this Act;
(c) the construction, fittings, dimensions and design of any motor vehicle;
(d) the character and nature of horns or other instruments capable of giving audible and sufficient warning of motor and other vehicles and regulating their use;
Certificate as to damage to be admissible in evidence.
Regulations.
(e) the number, position and kind of lights and reflectors to be carried on motor and other vehicles and the times during which they are to be exhibited;
(f) the duties and powers of inspectors in regard to the inspection of motor and other vehicles;
(g) the inspection of motor and other vehicles and the times, places and manner of such inspection;
(h) the form of identification marks to be fixed on motor vehicles and trailers in respect of registration and licensing and the sizes and colour of the letters and numbers and the manner of displaying such mark;
(i) the precedence of vehicles and pedestrians respectively at and in the vicinity of crossings and the erection of traffic signals and other notices;
(j) the driving of any vehicle on any specified road otherwise than in a specified direction;
(k) the appointment of parking places and regulating the use of such parking places;
(1) the badges to be worn by drivers and conductors of public service vehicles and the conduct of drivers, conductors and passengers;
(m) passenger fares and tolls in respect of public service vehicles;
(n) the maximum hours of employment of persons as drivers of
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73
goods vehicles;
(o) as regards motor omnibuses and freight passenger vehicles-
(i) restricting the use of motor omnibuses and freight passenger vehicles using specified routes;
(ii) regulating and restricting the number of motor omnibuses and freight passenger vehicles using specified routes;
(iii) the time tables to be observed by drivers of motor omnibuses;
(iv) the issue of licences by the Department and conditions of issue of such licences and conditions to be observed by the holders of such licences in respect of specified routes;
(v) the taking up and setting down of passengers;
(vi) the carriage of goods or luggage;
(vii) the maximum hours of employment of drivers and conductors;
(viii) the issue, cancellation and suspension of licences of conductors;
(ix) granting limited or exclusive concessions to operate motor omnibuses and the conditions under which such concessions may be granted, but no concession shall be granted under this subparagraph except with the consent of the National Assembly signified by resolution
to that effect;
(p) generally for the better carrying out of the provisions of this Act and in particular for the safety, control and regulation of traffic and the use of vehicles or any class of vehicle on any road and the conditions under which they may be used;
(q) generally for carrying the provisions of Part V into effect;
(r) the issue of traffic violation tickets and all matters connected therewith or incidental thereto, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, such regulations may provide for all or any of the following matters:-
(i) the type of offences for which a traffic violation ticket may be issued;
(ii) the form of the violation ticket;
(iii) the fine to be stated on the violation ticket;
(iv) persons by whom a violation ticket may be issued;
(v) the place or places where the fine stated on the violation ticket may be paid;
(vi) the time for paying such fines;
(vii) the penalty for failure to pay the fine within the time specified;
(viii) the procedure for requesting a court hearing by a person who has been issued with a violation ticket;
20 of 1992.
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75
(ix) the penalty for unlawful removal of a violation ticket;
(s) the device or instrument which may be used to measure a driver’s blood alcohol content;
(t) unacceptable level of blood or urine alcohol content in a driver;
(u) the type of instrument or device which may be used to measure the speed of a vehicle;
(v) prohibiting or restricting certain classes of vehicles from entering town limits or any other area of the country;
(w) levying of fees and charges to control the entry of specified classes of vehicles into town limits or other areas;
(x) preventing the use of a road by vehicular traffic of a kind which, or the use thereof by such traffic in a manner which, is unsuitable having regard to the existing character of the road or adjoining property;
(y) without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (x) above, for preserving the character of a road in a case where it is specially suitable for use by persons on foot;
(z) for preventing damage to a road or to any building on or near a road, and for preserving and improving the amenities of the area through which a road passes.
(2) Any regulations made under this section shall be subject to negative resolution.
113.-(1) The Commissioner of Police may-
(a) make orders as to the line to be kept by persons driving or riding any vehicle or animal on any road and as to the manner in which vehicles of any description shall be drawn up while waiting on any road and as to the route to be observed by any vehicles, horses, and persons, and for preventing obstruction on any road in any case where such road is liable to be thronged or obstructed;
(b) give directions to police officers for the purpose of regulating traffic in the neighborhood of courts of law, public offices, churches, theatres, and other places of public resort.
(2) Any person who, after being made acquainted with any orders made or directions given under this section, contravenes or fails to comply with such order or directions commits an offence under this section.
(3) Where a police officer in uniform is on duty in any public road or is for the time being engaged in the regulation of traffic at any place in a public road, a pedestrian or any person driving or propelling a vehicle, or leading or driving an animal, who wilfully neglects or refuses to stop or proceed or keep to a particular line of traffic when specifically directed to do so by such police officer in the execution of his duty commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding twenty-five dollars.
(4) Any police officer may apprehend without a warrant any person who commits an offence under this section within his view, if such person refuses to give his name and address or gives a name or address which the police officer has reasonable grounds for believing to be false.
114. All rules, regulations, orders or directions made under any Act relating to the control of vehicles and road traffic in force at the commencement of this Act shall be deemed to have been made under this Act and shall remain in
Saving.
Special regulations may be made by Commissioner of Police.
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force until other provision is made in that behalf.
115. The Department may, with the consent of the National Assembly signified by resolution to that effect, grant to any person, or to two or more persons jointly, a limited concession or an exclusive concession to operate motor omnibuses in any area or any road or route or for any journey upon such conditions as shall be specified in the grant and subject to this Act and the regulations.
116.-(1) Whenever the provisions of this Act or of any regulations are in conflict with any other law relating to the control of vehicles and road traffic, the provisions of this Act and the regulations shall prevail.
(2) Whenever any powers conferred on the Department or the Commissioner of Police under this Act are similar to powers conferred on a municipal or other authority under any other law and there arises any conflict or dispute as to the exercise of such powers, the matter at issue shall be referred to the Minister who shall decide which authority shall exercise such powers and the manner in which powers shall be exercised.
(3) The decision of the Minister shall be final and conclusive.
(4) This section shall have no application to the powers conferred upon the Belize City Council by this Act for the licensing and registration of motor vehicles, and the traffic management and control within Belize City.
117.-(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or any other law, the responsibility for the registration, licensing and control of all vehicles and traffic management in Belize City shall vest in the Belize City Council.
(2) The Belize City Council shall appoint such transport officers, inspectors and other staff as may be necessary for the due carrying out of the functions entrusted to it by this Act and the regulations made thereunder.
20 of 1990.
20 of 1990.
11 of 1994.
Registration, licensing and control of vehicles in Belize City. 11 of 1994.
In the event of a conflict of laws, this Act to prevail.
Grant of concessions to operate motor omnibuses. 28 of 1985.
(3) Transport officers, inspectors and other staff appointed by the Belize City Council shall have like powers as those of officers and staff of comparable rank appointed by the Department of Transport.
(4) The Belize City Council shall maintain such registers, records and other documents with respect to vehicles registered in Belize City as are maintained by the Department of Transport at the commencement of this Act.
(5) The Belize City Council may exercise all such powers with respect to the licensing, registration and control of motor vehicles, and traffic management within Belize City, as are conferred by this Act on the Department of Transport.
(6) All references to the “Department” or “Department of Transport” contained in this Act or any regulations made thereunder shall, with respect to the licensing, registration and control of motor vehicles and traffic management within Belize City, be read and construed as references to the Belize City Council.
118-(1) The Belize City Council may, with the approval of the Minister, make regulations for the licensing, registration and control of motor vehicles and traffic management within Belize City, but until such regulations are made, the regulations made under this Act by the Minister shall continue to apply.
(2) All regulations made by the Belize City Council under subsection (1) above shall be subject to negative resolution.
119.-(1) All officers and employees holding office on a day immediately prior to the commencement of this Act, having been appointed to their posts by the Licensing and Transport Department or the Department of Transport and concerned with the licensing, registration and control of motor vehicles within Belize City, shall be deemed to have been seconded to the Belize City Council until such time as the Department of Transport or the Belize City Council decides to terminate such secondment:
Powers of Belize City Council to make regulations. 11 of 1994.
Transitional provisions. 11 of 1994.
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Provided that any officer or employee who does not wish to be so seconded may request the Department of Transport to be provided with alternative employment on no less favourable terms than his existing employment, but if no such alternative employment can be found, he shall be deemed to have become redundant and shall be paid retirement benefits accordingly.
(2) All registers, records and other documents of whatever kind maintained or kept by the Department of Transport for the performance of its functions under this Act or otherwise, on the day immediately prior to the commencement of this Act, and concerned with licensing, registration and control of motor vehicles within Belize City, shall continue to be maintained or kept by the Belize City Council.
(3) All licenses, licence plates, licences, receipts, authority cards or any other document of whatever kind issued by the Department of Transport and remaining effectual on the day immediately prior to the commencement of this Act shall continue to be valid for the purpose and for the period the same had been issued.
120.-(1) For the purpose of effective coordination between the Belize City Council and the Belize Police Department for the enforcement of traffic laws within Belize City, there shall be established a Committee to be known as the Belize City Traffic Management Committee (hereinafter referred to as “the Committee) which shall be composed of the Mayor, Belize City Council, and two other persons nominated by him, and the Officer Commanding Eastern Division, Belize Police Department, and one other police officer nominated by him.
(2) The Committee shall meet regularly, at least once a month, to discuss traffic problems in Belize City and explore ways and means to improve traffic management and control.
(3) Minutes of the meetings of the Committee and any recommendations made by it shall be sent to the Minister at the end of every
Belize City Traffic Management Committee. 11 of 1994. 42 of 1999.
42 of 1999.
month.
121.-(1) The Commissioner of Police shall render such assistance to the Belize City Council as may be necessary to enable the Council to effectively discharge its functions relating to traffic management within Belize City.
(2) Any differences arising between the Belize City Council and the Commissioner of Police in relation to traffic enforcement within Belize City shall be resolved by mutual negotiations, but in the event an amicable settlement cannot be reached, the matter shall be referred to the Minister whose decision thereon shall be final.
FIRST SCHEDULE
[Section 45 (7)]
Visitor’s Driving Licence
1. In this Schedule “visitor’s driving licence” means a driving licence other than a temporary driving licence which by virtue of section 45 of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act authorises a person to drive a motor vehicle without holding a driving licence or a temporary driving licence under this Act; and “driving licence” means a driving licence other than a visitor’s driving licence issued under this Act.
2.-(1) A court by whom the holder of a visitor’s driving licence is convicted shall-
(a) if in consequence of the conviction or of the order of the court he is disqualified from obtaining or holding a driving licence; or
CAP. 230.
Commissioner of Police to assist the Belize City Council. 11 of 1994.
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(b) if it orders particulars of the conviction to be endorsed on any driving licence held by him,
send particulars of the conviction to the Department.
(2) A court shall in no circumstances enter any particulars in a visitor’s driving licence.
3.-(1) The holder of a visitor’s driving licence disqualified in consequence of a conviction or of the order of a court from holding a Belize Driving Licence shall, if so required by the court, produce his visitor’s driving licence within five days, or such longer time as the court may determine, and the court shall forward it to the Department.
(2) The Department, on receiving a licence forwarded under the subparagraph (1)-
(a) shall record particulars of the disqualification on the licence; and
(b) send the holder’s name and address, together with the said particulars, to the authority by whom the visitor’s driving licence was issued; and
(c) shall retain the licence until the holder leaves Belize or until the period of disqualification expires, whichever is the earlier.
(3) A person failing to produce a visitor’s driving licence in compliance with this paragraph commits an offence under this Act.
4.-(1) A court, on ordering the removal under section 95 (2) of this Act of a disqualification on holding or obtaining a driving licence, shall, if it appears that particulars of the disqualification have been forwarded to the Department under paragraph 2 of this Schedule, cause particulars of the order also to be forwarded
to it, and the Department shall transmit the particulars to the authority who issued the visitor’s driving licence which the person whose disqualification is removed is shown as holding in the Department’s record.
(2) The Department shall, where appropriate, enter any particulars so forwarded to it in any visitor’s driving licence held by it in pursuance of paragraph 3 of this Schedule and shall then return the visitor’s driving licence to the applicant.
5. References to Belize Driving Licences, in section 40 of this Act (which authorises the police to require the production of Belize Driving Licences) and in section 102 of this Act (which relate to the forgery etc., of Belize Driving Licences) shall include references to a visitor’s driving licence.
SECOND SCHEDULE
[Section 60]
The Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act (CAP. 230)
SECOND-HAND BICYCLE DEALERS LICENCE
( *) is hereby licensed to carry on the business of Second-hand Bicycle Dealer on premises situate at (
†) from ( ‡) until the 31st December ( //) in accordance with the provisions and on the conditions set forth in the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act.
DATED this day of 20 .
* Full Name. † Full description of place of business. ‡ Date of Approval of Magistrate. //Year.
CAP. 230.
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THIRD SCHEDULE
[Section 60]
The Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act (CAP. 230)
SECOND-HAND BICYCLE REPAIRERS LICENCE
( *) is hereby licensed to carry on the business of Second-hand Bicycle Repairer on premises situate at ( †) from ( ‡ ) until the 31st December ( //) in accordance with the provisions and on the conditions set forth in the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act.
DATED this day of 20 .
* Full Name. † Full description of place of business. ‡ Date of Approval of Magistrate. //Year.
FOURTH SCHEDULE
[Section 61 (1)]
The Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act (CAP. 230)
I ( *) do hereby make application to the magistrate ( †) for a Licence to carry on business as a Second-hand Bicycle Dealer at premises situate at ( ‡ ).
CAP. 230.
I have not been convicted of any breach of this Act during the three years preceding the date of this application.
I have not been convicted of any offence involving fraud or dishonesty during the five years preceding the date of this application.
* Full Name. † District. ‡ Full description of premises.
_______________
FIFTH SCHEDULE
[Section 61 (1)]
The Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act (CAP. 230)
I ( *) do hereby make application to the magistrate ( †) for a Licence to carry on business as a Second-hand Bicycle Repairer at premises situate at ( ‡ ).
I have not been convicted of any breach of this Act during the three years preceding the date of this application.
I have not been convicted of any offence involving fraud or dishonesty during the five years preceding the date of this application.
* Full Name. † District. ‡ Full description of premises.
_______________
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SIXTH SCHEDULE
[ Section 66 (1)]
The Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act (CAP. 230) SECOND HAND BICYCLE DEALERS REGISTER
SEVENTH SCHEDULE
[Section 66 (1)]
The Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act (CAP. 230) SECOND HAND BICYCLE REPAIRERS REGISTER
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EIGHTH SCHEDULE
[Section 70 (1)]
The Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act (CAP. 230)
SEARCH WARRANT
WHEREAS it appears to me, one of Her Majesty’s Justice of the Peace for the District of , by the evidence upon oath of of , in the district of , that there is reasonable ground to believe that certain bicycles and/or parts of a bicycle , to wit, which have been stolen or otherwise unlawfully obtained are upon certain premises at belonging to or occupied by a person licenced under this Act:
THESE ARE THEREFORE in Her Majesty’s name to authorise and command you together with to enter (by force if necessary) and to search the said premises and to seize any such bicycles or parts of a bicycle, as are specified in this Warrant and to take the same before the Court for the District of
GIVEN under my hand at in the District of this day of , 20 .
Justice of the Peace.
For the District of .
