Road Traffic Amendment Act, 2025

ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2025 Act 1153 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS Section 1. Section 4 of Act 683 amended 2. Section 10 of Act 683 amended 3. Section 13 of Act 683 amended 4. Section 14 of Act 683 amended 5. Section 15 of Act 683 amended 6. Section 16 of Act 683 amended 7. Section 17 of Act 683 amended 8. Section 23 of Act 683 amended 9. Section 40 of Act 683 amended 10. Section 52 of Act 683 amended 11. Section 65 of Act 683 amended 12. Section 92 of Act 683 amended 13. Section 99 of Act 683 amended 14. Section 134 of Act 683 amended Act 1153 The One Thousand one hundred and fifty-third ACT OF THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA ENTITLED ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2025 AN ACT to amend die Road Traffic Act, 2004 (Act 683) to provide for the use of motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles for commercial purposes, the development of standards for seat belts and other safety equipment and for related matters. DATE of ASSENT: 24* December, 2025. "Passed by Parliament and assented to by the President: Section 4 of Act 683 amended 1. The Road Traffic Act, 2004 (Act 683), referred to in this Act as the “principal enactment”, is amended in section 4 by the substitution for subsection (2), of “(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), a person is under the influence of alcohol where the alcohol concentration in the blood or breath of that person as shown by competent medical evidence or any other competent evidence, is 0.05 per cent or more when measured 2 Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 Act 1153 within two hours of the time of operating or attempting to operate the motor vehicle.”. Section 10 of Act 683 amended 2. The principal enactment is amended in section 10 by the substitution for “prescribed limit”, of “prescribed limit” means (2) twenty-one point eight seven microgrammes of alcohol in hundred millilitres of breath; (b) fifty microgrammes of alcohol in hundred millilitres of blood; (c) sixty-six point eight seven five microgrammes of alcohol in hundred millilitres of urine; or (d) the proportion prescribed by the Regulations.”. Section 13 of Act 683 amended 3. The principal enactment is amended by the substitution for section 13, of “Seat Belts and Other Safety Equipment Seat belts 13. (1) A person of eighteen years or above shall not (a) drive a motor vehicle, or (b) sit on the front or rear seat of a motor vehicle being driven without wearing a seat belt. (2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than one hundred penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not more than six months or to both. (3) A seat belt fitted in a motor vehicle shall (a) be in a form that meets the standards developed under this section; and (b) bear a certification or approval mark of the manufacturer. 3 Act 1153 Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 (4) Subject to the Ghana Standards Authority Act, 2022 (Act 1078), the Licensing Authority shall collaborate with (a) the Regulatory Authority, (b) the Ghana Standards Authority, and (c) other bodies with relevant knowledge and expertise in road safety to develop standards for seat belts. (5) A standard developed under subsection (4) may be incorporated into a notice, a directive or an instruction issued by the Regulatory Authority. (6) A person shall, prior to applying for licensing and certification with the Licensing Authority, comply. with the standards developed under this section.”. Section 14 of Act 683 amended 4. The principal enactment is amended by the substitution for section 14, of “Carrying of children in motor vehicles 14. (1) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle with a child who (a) is under the age of twelve years, or (b) is less than one hundred and forty-five centimetres tall and weighs less than thirty-six kilogrammes in the front seat of the motor vehicle. (2) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle with a child who (a) is under the age of twelve years, or (b) is less than one hundred and forty-five centimetres tall and weighs less than thirty-six kilogrammes in the rear seat of the motor vehicle unless the child is properly restrained. 4 Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 Act 1153 (3) Subject to subsection (1), a person shall not drive a motor vehicle with a child who is under the age of eighteen years in the front or rear seat of the motor vehicle without the child wearing a seat belt. (4) A person who contravenes subsection (1), (2) or (3) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than ten penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not more than four months or to both. (5) For file purposes of subsection (2), a child in the rear seat of a motor vehicle is properly restrained, if, an appropriate safety equipment designed for children in accordance with section 15, is used by the child to ensure that the child is seated, positioned and restrained to withstand the force and impact of a road crash in order to reduce the risk of injury or death.”. Section 15 of Act 683 amended 5. The principal enactment is amended by the substitution for section 15, of “Safety equipment for children in motor vehicles 15. (1) Subject to the Ghana Standards Authority Act, 2022 (Act 1078), the Licensing Authority shall collaborate with (a) the Regulatory Authority, (b) the Ghana Standards Authority, and (c) other bodies with relevant knowledge and expertise in road safety to develop standards for safety equipment for children. (2) The standards for the use of safety equipment for children include prescriptions on (a) the shape, construction and other quality of safety equipment for children conducive 5 Act 1153 Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 for the protection from injury of children being ridden on a motorcycle, in the event of a road accident; (b) the use of safety equipment by a child being ridden on a motorcycle; and (c) the correct way of using each type of safety equipment for children. (3) A person shall not sell or offer for sale a safety equipment for children that (a) does not conform to the standards developed under tins section or is in contravention of Regulations made under this Act; or (b) is in contravention of any other law. (4) A person who contravenes subsection (3) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than twenty-five penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not more than eight months or to both. (5) For the purposes of this section, (a) “safety equipment” includes (i) a restraining and safety device for a child or for a cany-cot, or (ii) an equipment designed for the use by a child in conjunction with any other restraining device; and (b) “selling or offering for sale” includes letting, hiring or offering to let or hire.”. Section 16 of Act 683 amended 6. The principal enactment is amended by the substitution for section 16, of “Wearing of protective crash helmets 16. (1) Subject to the Ghana Standards Authority Act, 2022 (Act 1078), the Licensing Authority shall collaborate with (a) the Regulatory Authority, 6 Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 Act 1153 (b) the Ghana Standards Authority, and (c) other bodies with relevant knowledge and expertise in road safety to develop standards for protective crash helmets. (2) The standards for the use of protective crash helmets include prescriptions on (a) the shape, construction and other quality ofa protective crash helmet conducive for the protection from injury of a person riding or being ridden on a motorcycle, in the event of a road accident; (b) the use of a protective crash helmet by a child being ridden on a motorcycle; and (c) the correct way of using each type of protective crash helmet. (3) A person shall not ride or be ridden on a motorcycle without wearing a protective crash helmet which conforms to the standards developed under this section. (4) A person who contravenes subsection (3) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than ten penalty units and not more than twenty penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not more than six months or to both. (5) A person shall not give a child a ride on a motorcycle while the child is not wearing a protective crash helmet which conforms to the standards developed under this section. (6) A person shall not sell or offer for sale a protective crash helmet that (a) does not conform to the standards developed under this section or is in contravention of Regulations made under this Act; or (b) is in contravention of any other law. 7 Act 1153 Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 (7) A person who contravenes subsection (5) or (6) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than twenty-five penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not more than eight months or to both.”. Section 17 of Act 683 amended The principal enactment is amended by the substitution for section 17, of “Regulation of protective equipment 17. (1) Subject to the Ghana Standards. Authority Act, 2022 (Act 1078), the Licensing Authority shall collaborate with (a) the Regulatory Authority, (b) the Ghana Standards Authority, and (c) other bodies with relevant knowledge and expertise in road safety to develop standards for protective equipment. (2) The standards for the use of protective equipment include prescriptions on (a) die shape, construction and other quality of protective equipment that is conducive to the purpose for which the protective equipment is to be used; and (b) the correct way of using the protective equipment. (3) A person shall not ride or be ridden on a motorcycle while using a protective equipment which does not conform to the standards developed under this section. (4) A person shall not give a child a ride on a motorcycle while the child uses a protective equipment which does not conform to the standards developed under this section. 8 Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 Act 1153 (5) A person who contravenes subsection (3) or (4) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than ten penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not more than four months or to both. (6) A person shall not sell or offer for sale a protective equipment that (a) does not conform to the standards developed under this Act or is in contravention of Regulations made under this Act; or (b) is in contravention of any other law. (7) A person who contravenes subsection (6) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than twenty-five penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not more than eight months or to both. (8) For the purposes of this section, “protective equipment” means equipment of any description used to protect a person who rides on a motorcycle including eye protectors or earphones designed or adapted for use on medical grounds and which has a headgear, is attached to the head or is placed on the head.”. Section 23 of Act 683 amended 8. The principal enactment is amended by the substitution for section 23, of “Restriction of carriage of persons on motorcycles 23. (1) A person shall not carry more than one other person on a motorcycle unless the motorcycle is constructed or adapted to carry more than one person. (2) A person shall not carry a fare paying passenger on a motorcycle or use the motorcycle for any other commercial purpose unless the motorcycle (a) is registered in accordance with section 38 of this Act; and 9 Act 1153 Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 (b) meets the requirements specified by (i) the Licensing Authority, (ii) the Regulatory Authority, and (iii) Regulations made under this Act. (3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than two hundred and fifty penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not more than twelve months or to both. (4) Where an offence is committed under subsection (1), the rider of the motorcycle and the person carried on the motorcycle are each, on summary conviction, liable for the penalties specified under subsection (3).”. Section 40 of Act 683 amended 9. The principal enactment is amended by the substitution for section 40, of “Registration numbers 40. (1) On the registration of a motor vehicle or a trailer under section 38, the Licensing Authority shall assign to the owner of the motor vehicle or trailer a registration number. (2) The Licensing Authority may, by Regulations, determine the formats for the registration numbers for motor vehicles or trailers. (3) The format for a registration number under subsection (2) shall enable (a) sufficient numbering capacity; (b) ease of enforcement and traceability; (c) incorporation of advanced security features; (d) compatibility with digital and smart mobility solutions; and 10 Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 Act 1153 (e) any other security or distinguishing features determined by the Licensing Authority. (4) The Licensing Authority may determine whether to and the circumstances under which the Licensing Authority may withdraw a registration number assigned to the owner of a motor vehicle or a trailer.”. Section 52 of Act 683 amended 10. The principal enactment is amended in section 52 by the insertion after the definition for “owner”, of “Trade Licence Plate” includes a plate, a sticker, a form, a certificate or any other format that the Licensing Authority may prescribe with the approval of the Minister;”. Section 65 of Act 683 amended 11 • The principal enactment is amended by the substitution for section 65, of “Disqualification of persons under age 65. (1) A person is disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence to drive, (a) an invalid carriage, if the person is under eighteen years; (b) a motorcycle, if the person is under eighteen years; (c) a commercial vehicle, if the person is under twenty-one years; (d) an agricultural tractor, if the person is under twenty-one years; or (e) any other motor vehicle, if the person is under eighteen years. (2) The Minister may by Regulations prescribe conditions or exemptions under subsection (1).”. 11 Act 1153 Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 Section 92 of Act 683 amended 12. The principal enactment is amended by the substitution for section 92, of “Test of condition of motor vehicles 92. (1) A vehicle used on a road shall be submitted for examination in accordance with this Act or the Regulations. (2) The examination shall be conducted every six months in respect of commercial vehicles and once every year in respect of private vehicles or within the period determined by the Licensing Authority to determine that (a) the motor vehicle conforms to the requirements, determined by the Licensing Authority, relating to the construction and condition of the motor vehicle and the accessories and other equipment of the motor vehicle; (b) the condition of the motor vehicle will not cause injury to a person or damage to property; and (c) the motor vehicle emission levels do not exceed the national standards specified for motor vehicle emissions. (3) Upon the examination of a motor vehicle under subsection (1), the owner of the motor vehicle shall pay the prescribed fee. (4) Unless otherwise provided for under this Act in respect of cargo vehicles or a class of motor vehicles, this Part applies to all motor vehicles used on a road.”. Section 99 of Act 683 amended 13. The principal enactment is amended in section 99 by the substitution for subsection (1), of “(1) A vehicle examiner may test a motor vehicle on a road for the purpose of ascertaining whether (a) the construction and use requirements of the motor vehicle, 12 Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 Act 1153 (b) the requirement that the motor vehicle when used on a road would not pose a danger or injury to a person or damage to property, and (c) the emission levels prescribed for the motor vehicle are complied with in respect of the motor vehicle.”. Section 134 of Act 683 amended 14. The principal enactment is amended in section 134 by (a) the substitution for the definition of “commercial vehicle”, of ““commercial vehicle” includes a minibus, a charter bus, a mass transit bus, a school bus, a coach, a motorcycle, a tricycle, a quadricycle, a sedan car, a sports utility vehicle, a ride-hailing vehicle or any other high occupancy bus used for commercial purposes;”; (b) the insertion after the definition for “Regulations”, of ““Regulatory Authority” means the National Road Safety Authority; "ride-hailing vehicle” means a private vehicle which is used for travel (a) through an arrangement by means of a website or a mobile or an electronic or an online application; and (b) for a fee;”; and (c) the substitution for the definition of “spot fine”, of ““spot fine” includes an automated fine payable upon the commission of a road traffic offence;”. 13 Act 1153 Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 Date of Gazette notification: 24th December, 2025. 14 PRINTED BY GHANA PUBLISHING COMPANY LTD. 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