Each vehicle's driver undertakes to drive near the right-hand side of the carriageway in the following cases:
1. If the driver wants to turn right into another road.
2. When meeting another vehicle coming from the opposite direction.
3. When another vehicle is coming from behind and wants overtake the driver.
4. When visibility on the road is not clear.
Drivers of buses of various types, trucks, heavy machinery and tractors, and any motor vehicle towing a trailer or semi-trailer shall only drive on the right-hand side of the road and shall not overtake other vehicles.
If the carriageway is divided into two lanes marked with connected longitudinal lines, drivers may be prohibited from driving on or crossing the lines. If a two-way road is divided into three lanes, drivers may use the middle lane, provided they ensure that this does not pose a threat to others or to the movement of traffic.
In all cases, drivers are prohibited from the use of that part of the road where traffic is flowing in the opposite direction. If the carriageway is divided into several lanes, then the driver of a vehicle shall continue driving in the lane he is moving in and shall not change lane until certain that this does not pose a threat to others or cause an obstruction.
Driving in the opposite direction to the flow of traffic is not permitted.
Reversing on a public highway shall not be permitted, except in emergency, beyond a short distance not exceeding twenty (20) metres, and after giving the necessary signal and making sure the road is empty. If necessary, the driver may ask someone else for guidance, but may not enter a junction.
Each driver of a vehicle who intends to exit from the lane he is in, move towards the right lane or left lane, turn left or right to join a side road, enter a place adjacent to the road, leave the road, reverse or perform a U-turn, shall observe the following:
1. Ensure it is possible to carry out the above manoeuvre without exposing oneself or others to risk.
2. Take into account the position and speed of other road users.
3. Indicate intention clearly and at a sufficient distance, using the indicator lights fixed in the vehicle, or use hand signals if necessary, maintaining such warning indication for the duration of the movement and only ceasing it on completion.
4. When turning right, keep as near the right-hand side of the carriageway as possible. When turning left, move to the left-most part of your own side of the road.
5. Do not use more than one lane at the same time, except in the aforementioned cases of turning.
The provisions of the second paragraph of Article 43 of the Law are to be taken account of in the above.
When driving on the highway, drivers may not stop the vehicle other than in the places designated for the purpose and may not reverse, turn left, perform a U-turn, or drive on the central reservation that separates the two directions of traffic.
Cyclists may stick to the extreme right-hand side of the carriageway, and may move individually behind one another in the absence of dedicated cycle lanes. Where there is a cycle lane, cyclists are prohibited from using the lanes used by cars.
Motorcyclists may use the lanes designated for motor vehicles.
Both cyclists and motorcyclists are prohibited from driving without holding the handlebars with both hands, except when giving hand signals. They are also prohibited from holding another vehicle or lifting one wheel off the ground while driving, carrying, pushing or drawing things that impede traffic, or pose a threat to themselves or other road users. Motorcyclists are also prohibited from transporting other people on their motorcycles unless such motorcycles are equipped with an additional side or rear car for passengers. A cyclist may not carry an additional passenger unless the bicycle is equipped for such a purpose. In all cases, motorcyclists and cyclists and those whom they transport with them shall wear the appropriate helmet.
The Licensing Authority may prohibit or restrict the use of any road or any part thereof for all vehicles or any type thereof. Traffic signs that indicate such prohibition or the mode of driving on the road shall be put in place.
No person may drive or allow any vehicle to be driven on a prohibited road, without written permission from the Licensing Authority.
The racing of motor vehicles, bicycles or persons on the roads is prohibited except with written permission from the Licensing Authority. The terms determined by this authority must be complied with.
This authorization shall not result in any responsibility on the part of the Licensing Authority in respect of any damage to property or injury to persons, nor shall it exempt the person who organized the race or its management from that responsibility.
The construction, maintenance or demolitions of a building, or excavations that will impede traffic or cause risk to road users are not permitted without prior approval from the Licensing Authority. The licensee shall put the necessary alert and warning signs in place and shall follow the instructions and guidelines issued by the Licensing Authority.
If any activities contained in the previous paragraph are carried out without the consent of the Licensing Authority, the Authority shall take appropriate action to terminate or modify such activities immediately, and at the expense of the offender, making sure that traffic safety requirements are in place. After the completion of the authorized work, dust and debris shall be removed immediately and the site reinstated to its previous condition, otherwise the Licensing Authority may do so at the expense of the offender.
No driver of a motor vehicle may commit an obscene act or allow any another person to do so.
Motor vehicle drivers shall abide by the following:
1. Not exceed the maximum speed limit for motor vehicles on the road, as determined by a Ministerial decision. Drivers of police vehicles, and ambulances and fire-fighters responding to an emergency are exempted, as is any driver of a vehicle transporting patients or seriously injured persons provided they use an alarm and hazard lights and slow down as much as possible for the safety of traffic at junctions.
2. Reduce speed when approaching pedestrian crossings and residential areas, turnings, bends and ramps, and junctions, roundabouts, bridges and tunnels, and when entering public squares, or approaching schools and hospitals, to ensure road safety.
3. Control the vehicle and adjust their speed according to the circumstances, road conditions, the state of the vehicle and its load and the weather conditions, so that speed can be reduced or the vehicle can be stopped if necessary.
4. Not drive the vehicle too slowly at a speed inconsistent with the road conditions, the state of the vehicle and its load and the weather conditions, in such a way as to impede the normal movement of other vehicles, unless there is a reasonable justification.
5. Not brake suddenly to slow down or stop the vehicle, unless necessitated by a traffic safety requirement on the road.
6. Give sufficient clear warning when starting to slow down.
Both driver and front-seat passenger shall comply with the wearing of a safety belt while driving on the road, in accordance with the rules and terms prescribed by the Executive Regulation.
The motor vehicle driver undertakes to comply with the following:
1. Not to use mobile phones or other devices in any way that requires the use of hands for carrying or operation while driving.
2. Not to watch any visual material on the vehicle television while driving.
3. Not to allow children under the age of ten to sit in the front seats of the vehicle while it is on the move.
No boards, advertisements or devices similar to traffic signs or equipment, or anything that would make these signs or devices less clear or effective or would lead to confusion for other road users, shall be permitted to be fitted on the vehicle.
Destruction of traffic signs or parts thereof is prohibited, as are moving the same, changing the significance, landmarks or direction thereof, or causing any damage thereto, or doing the same to any roads, bridges or tunnels. In case of a criminal conviction for such an offence, the Court shall compel the offender to pay the costs of the damage, charged on the basis of the value specified by the competent authority.
No person shall commit any of the following acts:
1. Driving a vehicle on the road recklessly or in a manner that puts the lives of people and property at risk.
2. Driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs or any other psychotropic substances.
3. Escaping or attempting to escape from the scene of an accident or refraining from stopping if ordered to do so by police officers from the Ministry of the Interior.
4. Obtaining or attempting to obtain a new motor vehicle driving license while the original license is suspended.
5. Using a motor vehicle or allowing the same to be used for other than the purpose set out in the certificate of registration or vehicle license.
6. Driving a motor vehicle using a license suspended administratively or by decision of the Court.
7. Driving a motor vehicle using a license which a Court or the administrative authorities have decided is to be suspended.
No vehicle may be driven on the road that makes irritating noises or emits dense smoke or smells, or releases a flammable substance that affects the safety of the road or is harmful to public health or the environment. In all cases, the vehicle must be equipped with an appropriate silencer.
No heavy machinery may be driven on the road, except machinery designed for that purpose.
Pedestrians are prohibited from walking in the middle of the carriageway, or in places designated for cyclists where there are pavements. In the absence of pavements, pedestrians shall walk on the far right-hand side of the carriageway opposite to the direction of driving. However, pedestrians may walk on the far right-hand side in the same direction as the traffic after ensuring they are cautious about the risk of vehicles coming from the back. When walking on the carriageway outside cities, pedestrians shall undertake to walk on the far side of the carriageway that is opposite to the direction of their own movement, and shall walk behind one another whenever possible.
Authorised infantry processions are exempted from the provision of the preceding paragraph, and they shall be on the far right-hand side of the road in the direction of traffic, as shall any pedestrian who is pushing other things.
Anyone intending to cross the carriageway shall do so with caution, and shall first ensure that the place chosen does not expose them to any danger or cause obstruction to vehicular traffic, and shall use the nearest transit route for pedestrians, if available, or the shortest route taking into account the distance between them and the approaching vehicles, as well as the speed of such vehicle.
When crossing the carriageway on a designated path, pedestrians shall observe the following:
1. Pedestrian traffic lights if available.
2. No crossing as long as traffic police are instructing vehicles to pass.
Pedestrians may not penetrate the ranks of military or organized groups operating under the supervision of a responsible person or any other authorized processions.
In all cases, pedestrians must observe and take account of traffic signals and rules.
Drivers of vehicles shall make way for the passage of official processions and suchlike, as soon as they observe the approach of such processions, or stop on the far right of the road. It shall in no way be permitted for motorists or pedestrians to rush toward the procession block its passage, follow approach or walk adjacent to the same in any way.
Motorists shall observe the following:
1. Leave enough distance from the vehicle in front, and pay attention to its driver’s signals, and only overtake the vehicle in front from the left side after giving the driver of such vehicle indication for overtaking him. A change of direction may take place gradually after making sure that traffic conditions allow the same.
2. No overtaking on blind hills, on sharp bends, on bridges, convex corners, roundabouts, footpaths and all other places where overtaking is prohibited by traffic lights.
3. No accelerating when another vehicle is overtaking and completion of such overtaking must be enabled.
4. No overtaking when visibility is poor.
5. No overtaking of police and Internal Security Force vehicles or ambulance or Civil Defence and rescue vehicles when such vehicles are travelling on an emergency mission and using alarm and hazard lights.
6. No overtaking of stationary passenger buses and minibuses used for transporting students in residential areas.
7. Follow the instructions on any sign constructed or carved on the road by the Licensing Authority.
8. Give way to emergency motor vehicles (Police - Internal Security Force - Civil Defence - Aid) when such vehicles are travelling to attend an emergency, by slowing down or stopping if necessary.
9. Evacuate the road immediately if there are emergency vehicles (Police - Internal Security Force - Civil Defence - ambulance) at a junction or turning so that such vehicles can proceed without the slightest impediment.
10. No driving behind emergency motor vehicles (Police - Internal Security Force - Civil Defence - ambulance), and leave a minimum distance of 50 meters from them.
Motorists undertake to give the prescribed alarm signals in all cases where such signals are required.
It is prohibited for emergency vehicles (Police - Internal Security Force - Civil Defence - ambulance) to use alarm devices except in emergency situations that require the use of such alarms.
If any vehicle causes an accident on the road resulting in injury to one or more persons, then the motorist may provide the necessary assistance to the injured and immediately inform the police of such accident without moving the vehicle from the scene unless by permission from the police, or if necessary, in order to aid the injured.
If the incident did not result in any injuries and it was possible to move the vehicles involved in the accident, then such vehicles shall be moved to the nearest service station on the road, and the traffic police informed immediately.
A motorist involved in an accident shall disclose his name and address to the police as well as the name and address of the owner of the vehicle if asked to do so.
A vehicle owner shall disclose to the police the name and address of the person driving the vehicle at the time of any offence. If the owner refrains from giving this information or deliberately gives false statements, such owner shall be given the same penalty as prescribed by law for the driver of the vehicle that committed the offence while driving.
No vehicle shall be driven on the road without being equipped with an alarm device to warn against the hazard of approaching it. Motorists are prohibited from using the horn unless there is an imminent threat. Tuned air horns may not be installed; otherwise they may be impounded administratively by the Licensing Authority.
The use of audio or optical alarms and similar devices is restricted to police vehicles and civil defence and ambulances, and their use is otherwise prohibited unless written permission is granted by the Licensing Authority, otherwise they may be impounded administratively by the Licensing Authority.
In case of conviction for the offences described in the preceding paragraphs, the court shall confiscate the machines and devices used in the commission of the offence.
The use of dazzling lights in the front or back of a vehicle is prohibited, except in weather conditions that so require. Vehicle glass shall not be tinted by any means without the written permission of the Licensing Authority, in accordance with regulations established by Ministerial decision.
No vehicle may be driven on the road during the period from sunset to sunrise or when visibility is poor due to weather conditions during daylight hours, without using lights as follows:
1. Vehicles:
a. Headlights and rear lights. Headlights may not be switched on when the vehicle is parked.
b. Change headlights from main beam to dipped beam or sidelights when meeting another vehicle at a reasonable distance, so as to prevent dazzling.
c. There shall be no red lights at the front of the vehicle, only white light in ordinary cases or yellow light in cases of fog.
2. Motorcycles and bicycles:
a. Front lights for motorcycles or bicycles, a rear light and a light adjacent to the motorcyclist on the rear or side.
b. A rear reflector for bicycles.
3. Carts drawn by persons or animals:
a. White light at the front of the cart and a red light at the back, provided that such lights are installed in a manner indicative of the existence of such cart while moving.
Any motorist who parks a vehicle on the carriageway where there is no public lighting at night or during the day when visibility is poor, shall park such vehicle away from the main road, with a red light or reflector at the rear to indicate to road users the presence of such vehicle. The motorist may also adjust the headlights slightly towards the right side of the road.
Traffic priority at junctions with automatic traffic light signals shall be in accordance with the following colours:
1. Red for stop.
2. Yellow for readiness, but it does not mean move.
3. Green means move.
Motorists shall undertake to observe automatic traffic signals while driving.
Despite having priority or if the traffic light indicates green, a motorist may not move the vehicle if such act will disrupt or hinder traffic, and whoever has priority may waive such priority if traffic conditions so require. In the event that a traffic police officer is directing traffic using hand signals, motorists shall comply with those signals and not others, and all other traffic signals shall be invalid.
At multi-way junctions where a central circular arena is formed, priority is given to other motor vehicles coming from the left. A vehicle in front has priority over the others. Equal priority may occur when vehicles are moving parallel to one another, and those intending to change direction may give priority to vehicles continuing straight ahead.
At junctions with no signals or signs determining the priority, vehicles coming from the left shall have priority.
At cross-roads where there are signals or signs, priority is determined by traffic signs or signals.
At the junction of a paved with an unpaved road, priority of traffic is for vehicles coming from the paved road.
A motorist coming from a secondary road and preparing to join the main road shall allow the passage of vehicles on the main road, and may join the road only after looking.
Parking and waiting of motor vehicles shall only be in the areas designated by the Licensing Authority.
Parking or waiting of motor vehicles shall not be permitted in the following places or circumstances:
1. Places designated for pedestrian crossing and on the pavements.
2. Bridges, tunnels and elevated carriageways, unless there are places dedicated to parking or waiting.
3. Near the brow of a hill or a bend.
4.A distance of less than fifteen metres from junctions, field gateways, roundabouts, pedestrian crossings, stations and bus stops.
5. Adjacent to no-crossing lines.
6. Places where parked or waiting vehicles may block traffic signals or road signs or block the view of other road users.
7. In front of entrances and exits of homes, garages, petrol stations, hospitals, ambulance and fire stations, police and military areas and educational establishments, unless with permission.
8. Places where parking impedes the movement of other parked vehicles.
9. Adjacent to another vehicle close to the carriageway.
10. Places not authorized for parking and waiting.
11. Places for people with special needs and others.
12. In chargeable car parks, without payment of parking fees.
13. Overstaying the parking period indicated on the parking meter.
(added in pursuance of Article 1 of Law No. 5 of 2010):
Trucks, tractors, trailers and semi-trailers, as specified by a decision of the Minister, are prohibited from parking in places other than those authorized by Ministerial decision, in conjunction with the competent authorities.
Parking meter areas shall not be damaged nor shall congestion be caused there.
A motorist is not permitted to leave a vehicle on the road without taking the necessary steps to avoid any accident and making sure that leaving such vehicle will not obstruct traffic, and after taking all necessary steps to prevent illegal use by third parties, and may not leave the vehicle with the key inside.
No person responsible for keeping a vehicle may keep such vehicle parked on any road in a way that is likely to cause obstruction of traffic or expose road users to risk, and if such person does not within a reasonable period of time remove the vehicle, the Licensing Authority may remove such a vehicle, the vehicle owner undertaking to pay the costs of removal.
Vehicles, animals or things shall not be left on the road in a manner that may endanger the lives of others or their property, or affect or impede traffic.
Without written permission from the Licensing Authority, no obstacles or anything that would block traffic or impede pedestrians or road works shall be left on the road.
The Licensing Authority may remove the offending item, and the offender shall undertake to pay the costs of removal.
Passengers may not be transported in any vehicle without seats or not designed to transport passengers. No vehicle while in motion shall carry a passenger on the steps, rear or roof unless written authorization is granted by the Licensing Authority.
In no cases may any vehicle may be used on the road unless all parts thereof are usable and are in a safe condition so as not to pose a threat to passengers or road users.
No driver or conductor of a bus, taxi, hire car or limousine shall be permitted to load more than the permitted number of passengers as specified in the certificate of registration.
The driver of a passenger vehicle is not permitted to engage in conversation with a passenger or to allow a person to sit or stand next to the driver while the vehicle is in motion.
Loads shall be arranged and secured on the vehicle in a safe manner such that the load is not likely to move or fall.
The following may be considered in particular:
1. It must not entail risk to persons, or cause harm to public or private property.
2. It must not make an irritating noise, and must not release emissions that are harmful to public health or the environment or cause inconvenience to passers-by.
3. It must not impede the view for motorists, or obscure traffic light or hand signals, direction signals, vehicle lights, reflector lights or number plates.
4. Must not compromise the balance or driveability of the vehicle.
The maximum height of any motor vehicle, including load or any items protruding from it, shall not exceed 4.2 metres from the road surface. The maximum width of the motor vehicle, including load or any protruding item, shall not exceed 2.6 metres.
In emergency, where loads in excess of the height and width mentioned in the preceding two paragraphs are required, authorization shall be obtained in writing from the Licensing Authority before such a vehicle is driven.
The unladen weights and maximum laden weights shall be as follows:
(1) Maximum authorized weight on a single axle:
The gross weight on one wheel or the wheels of any one axle shall not exceed thirteen (13) tonnes and shall not exceed the weight limit set by the manufacturer.
(2) Maximum load on a double axle:
Taking into account the manufacturer's specifications, the maximum load on double axles (total load of adjacent axles) permitted for the purpose of licensing shall be as follows:
The between adjacent axles / m maximum permitted load / ton
0.90 14.6
1.00 16.1
1.10 17.5
1.20 18.9
1.35 20.3
1.35 - 2.50 21.0
Longer than 2.50 Each to be treated as a single axle
Total vehicle load weights:
The maximum load of a motor vehicle or the maximum load including trailer or semi-trailer permitted for the purpose of licensing, shall not exceed the following, whichever is the least:
- The manufacturer's specifications.
- The load on any axle shall not exceed the maximum load listed in the preceding items 1 and 2.- Vehicle load or combined load of a group of trailers shall not exceed forty-five (45) tons.
(4) If the weight of the transported goods is in excess of the limit, written permission shall be obtained from the Licensing Authority.
The load may not extend in front of the vehicle by more than one metre or by more than two metres at the back of the body of the vehicle.
However, if the nature of the goods being transported is such that they cannot be separated, and their length exceeds the aforementioned lengths, then written permission shall be obtained from the Licensing Authority.
In all cases, clear red warning marks shall be positioned on the edge of the load.
Extensions to the body of a goods vehicle (truck) with the intention of increasing its dimensions (specifications) whether in length, width or height, are not permitted.
A Licensing Authority sticker shall be affixed to the body of motor vehicles with an unladen weight of three (3) tons and over, indicating gross weight and passenger limit.
In all cases, the offender shall be held responsible for removing whatever is the cause of the offence.