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- Is amended by Finance Act, 2011
- Is amended by Finance Act, 2019
- Is amended by Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) Act, 2010
- Is amended by Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.2) Act, 2012
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Tanzania
Road Traffic Act
Chapter 168
- Published in Tanzania Government Gazette
- Commenced on 13 January 1974
- [This is the version of this document at 31 December 2023.]
- [Note: This legislation was revised and consolidated as at 31 July 2002 and 30 November 2019 by the Attorney General's Office, in compliance with the Laws Revision Act No. 7 of 1994, the Revised Laws and Annual Revision Act (Chapter 356 (R.L.)), and the Interpretation of Laws and General Clauses Act No. 30 of 1972. All subsequent amendments have been researched and applied by Laws.Africa for TANZLII.]
- [Amended by Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) Act, 2010 (Act 17 of 2010) on 6 August 2010]
- [Amended by Finance Act, 2011 (Act 5 of 2011) on 1 July 2011]
- [Amended by Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.2) Act, 2012 (Act 6 of 2012) on 27 July 2012]
- [Amended by Finance Act, 2019 (Act 8 of 2019) on 1 July 2019]
Part I – Preliminary provisions
1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Road Traffic Act.2. Interpretation
(a) – Administration
3. Registrar of Motor Vehicles
4. Other traffic officers
The Minister shall, by notice in the Gazette, appoint—(b) – Records
5. Registers
6. Searches
The registers in the custody of the Registrar shall be open for inspection by members of the public during prescribed hours upon payment of the prescribed fee.7. ***
[s. 6A][Repealed by Act No. 16 of 1994.]8. ***
[s. 6B][Repealed by Act No. 16 of 1994.]9. ***
[s. 6C][Repealed by Act No. 16 of 1994.]10. ***
[s. 6D][Repealed by Act No. 16 of 1994.]11. ***
[s. 6E][Repealed by Act No. 16 of 1994.]12. Certified copies
Part II – Registration of motor vehicles, etc.
13. Use of motor vehicles, etc., without registration prohibited
14. Classification of motor vehicles, etc.
15. Application for registration of motor vehicles
16. Registration of motor vehicle, etc.
17. General registration in case of dealer
18. Certificate of registration to be carried in vehicle
19. Identification marks
20. Presumption of ownership
A person in whose name a motor vehicle or trailer is registered shall be presumed to be the owner of the vehicle unless the contrary is proved.[s. 15]21. Notice of change of ownership
22. Exemption from registration, licensing, etc.
The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, provide for the exemption, either wholly or partially, and either conditionally or unconditionally, of persons, of their motor vehicles or trailers or of any class of persons of motor vehicles or trailers, from all or any of the requirements of this Part or of the regulations.[s. 17]23. Offences and penalties
A person who—Part III – Driving licence
24. Driving without valid driving licence prohibited
25. Classification of motor vehicles, etc., for driving licences
26. Learners driving licences
27. Identification marks for vehicle used for driving lessons
When a motor vehicle is being used for the purposes of instructing a learner driver, it shall display such identification marks and in such manner as may be prescribed.[s. 22]28. Driving test
29. Certificate of competence
Where the examining officer is satisfied that—30. Driving licences
31. Licence point system
32. Conditional driving licences
Where the applicant for a driving licence is a person suffering from any bodily defect or incapacity, a driving licence issued may be issued conditionally upon observance of the conditions set out therein, including, where appropriate, a condition that the driving licence shall relate only to a specified class of motor vehicles especially constructed or adapted for the applicant’s use.[s. 26]33. Mandatory cancellation or suspension of driving licence
34. Discretionary powers of cancellation or suspension
35. Endorsements
36. Appeals
An appeal shall lie against an order made by the court under section 33, 34 or 35 of this Act in the same manner as an appeal against a conviction and, where an appeal is lodged, the court making the order or the court to which the appeal lies may suspend the operation of the order pending the determination of the appeal.[s. 30]37. Issue of duplicate driving licences
38. Production of driving licence for cancellation or endorsement
A person whose driving licence is suspended or cancelled or whose driving licence is required for endorsement under the provisions of section 33, 34 or 35 shall forthwith surrender the driving licence to the court for particulars of the conviction to be endorsed thereon.[s. 32]39. Custody of driving licence while cancelled, etc
Where the court cancels or suspends a driving licence or orders a driving licence to be endorsed under the provisions of section 33, 34 or 35, the court shall send notice thereof to the Registrar and shall, in every case where a person’s driving licence is cancelled or suspended, forward the driving licence to the Registrar.[s. 33]40. Application for driving licence after cancellation
A prson who applies for a driving licence after a period of cancellation of his licence after his previous driving licence has expired shall in all respects be treated as if he were applying for a driving licence for the first time.[s. 34]41. Removal of disqualification
42. Automatic disqualification
A person who—43. Offences
A person who—44. Offences of applying for, or obtaining, driving licence or driving while disqualified
Part IV – Use of motor vehicles
45. Condition of motor vehicle, etc., for use on road
46. Permissible weight
47. Use of signals
48. Use of light
49. Causing bodily injury or death through dangerous driving, etc.
50. Causing bodily injury or death through carelessness
A person who causes bodily injury to or the death of any person by carelessly using a motor vehicle or trailer commits an offence.[s. 41]51. Reckless or dangerous driving
A person who, on any road—52. Obstructing official motorcade
53. Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of drinks or drugs
A person who, while under the influence of drinks or drugs to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of a motor vehicle or trailer, drives or attempts to drive or is in charge of a motor vehicle or trailer on any road or other public place commits an offence.[s. 44]54. Driving of a motor vehicle with blood alcohol concentration above prescribed limit
55. Blood tests for alcohol
56. Breath test
57. Use of alcometer
58. Persons authorised to withdraw and analyse blood
59. Detention of persons whilst affected by alcohol
A person required to provide a specimen of blood for a laboratory test pursuant to the provisions of this Act may thereafter be detained at a police station until it appears to a police officer that the proportion of alcohol in the person’s blood does not exceed the prescribed limit.[s. 48]60. Definition of “prescribed limit”
For the purposes of this Act, the expression “prescribed limit” means eighty milligrams of alcohol in one hundred millilitres of blood.[s. 49][Act No. 4 of 1990 s. 5]61. Careless or inconsiderate use of motor vehicle
62. Speeding
63. Driving while disqualified or without driving licence
A person who drives a motor vehicle, whether with or without a trailer on a road or in any public place—64. Compliance with speed limit not defence to other charges
It shall not be a defence in any proceedings for an offence relating to the use of a motor vehicle or trailer on any road or in any public place other than the offence of exceeding any speed limit, that at the time of the alleged offence, the motor vehicle or trailer was being driven at a speed not exceeding any limit of speed lawfully imposed in respect of that road or public place in relation to such motor vehicle or trailer.[s. 53]65. Emergency motor vehicles
66. Compulsory stopping at railway crossing
67. Driving unreasonably slowly
A driver of a motor vehicle or trailer, who, without reasonable excuse, drives the vehicle at such unreasonable low speed as is likely to cause obstruction to the traffic on the road or annoyance to the other road users commits an offence and, on conviction, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding five thousand shillings.[s. 56]68. Duties of drivers in case of accidents
69. Riding in dangerous position
70. Restriction on pillion riding
71. Obstructing a driver of motor vehicle, etc.
72. Causing damage to motor vehicle, etc.
A person who throws any object at a motor vehicle or trailer or at any person in or on such motor vehicle or trailer or places any object on any road or by any means impedes the progress of any motor vehicle or trailer whereby injury or damage might be caused to such motor vehicle or trailer or to any person therein commits an offence.[s. 61]73. Taking motor vehicle without owner’s consent
74. Power of Court to order forfeiture of vehicle used in commission of offence and disqualification of driver
75. Penalties for offences under Part IV
Part V – Control of traffic
76. Traffic signs, etc.
77. General rule
78. Pedestrian crossings
79. Permits for herds, processions or parades
80. Temporary speed restriction
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act or the regulations, the Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, prescribe temporary maximum speed limits for motor vehicles or trailers of different classes or descriptions on any part of any road for such period as may be specified in such order.[s. 67]81. Closure of road
The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, close any road or part of a road to all motor vehicles or trailers for such period as may be specified in such order.[s. 68]82. Restriction of traffic on road
The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, restrict the use of a road or any part thereof to such classes or descriptions of motor vehicles or trailers and for such period as may be specified in such order.[s. 69]83. One-way traffic
The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, restrict the use of a road to one-way traffic for such period as may be specified in such order.[s. 70]84. Parking places
The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, set aside parts of roads as parking places for all or any class of motor vehicles, trailer or engineering plant.[s. 71]85. Parking and standing
86. Special parking places
The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, set aside parts of roads as places for—Part VI – Enforcement
(a) – Enforcement
87. Duties of police
88. Records of traffic offences
89. Filing of accident reports and drivers’ files
The Inspector-General of Police shall maintain or cause to be maintained a suitable system of filing traffic accident reports and individual drivers’ files, a record of traffic accidents, warnings, arrests, convictions and complaints reported in respect of each driver.[s. 75]90. Inspector-General to submit annual accident and safety reports
The Inspector-General of Police shall annually prepare and submit to the Minister a traffic report containing information on traffic matters in Tanzania as follows:91. Power to demand production of driving licence
92. Power to demand name and address of owner of vehicle
The driver of a motor vehicle or trailer shall stop at the request of a police officer and if the police officer has reasonable cause to demand his name and address he shall give him his name and address and, if he is not the owner of the vehicle, shall also give the name and address of the owner.[s. 78]93. Employer to keep record of driver
A person who employs any other person to drive a motor vehicle or trailer shall at all times keep a written record of the name and driving licence number of such other person, and shall on demand by a police officer produce such record for inspection.[s. 79]94. Owner or hirer, etc., to give identity of driver
Where police officer in uniform has reason to suspect that an offence in connection with a motor vehicle or trailer has been committed—95. Examination of vehicle on road
A police officer may stop and examine any motor vehicle or trailer on a road or public place if he is of the opinion that such motor vehicle or trailer—96. Power to order examination
97. Examination by inspector
98. Removal of abandoned vehicles
99. Removal of broken-down vehicle
100. Removal of vehicle from parking place
101. Police may require motor vehicle to be driven to police station and detain vehicle
A police officer may, after stopping any motor vehicle or trailer which he reasonably suspects of being, or of having been, used or involved in the commission of an offence, whether under this Act or any other written law, order the driver thereof to drive it to the nearest convenient police station in order that—102. False information
A person shall not make any statement when required to do so under this Part which to his knowledge is false or in any respect misleading.[s. 88]103. Offences
A person who—(b) – Institution of proceedings
104. Application
105. Institution of traffic proceedings
106. Traffic charge and summons
107. Application of Criminal Procedure Act
Subject to section 106, the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act other than the provisions relating to the mode of institution of proceedings or the presence of the accused person during the trial or sentence shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to proceedings on traffic summons and charges issued under the provisions of this Part.[Cap. 20][s. 93]108. Admissibility of certificates
A copy of any certificate of fitness purporting to be issued by a vehicle inspector to the effect that he has examined a motor vehicle or trailer and as to the result of such examination shall, if certified by the Registrar, be prima facie evidence in any court proceedings of the facts contained therein:Provided that, the court may, if it thinks fit, summon and examine the vehicle inspector as to the subject matter of his certificate.[s. 94]109. Punishment without prosecution
Part VII – National Road Safety Council
110. Establishment of National Road Safety Council
There is hereby established a council to be known as the National Road Safety Council (hereinafter referred to as “the Council”) which shall consist of the Chairman, a Vice-Chairman and not less than ten other members appointed by the Minister.[s. 96][Act No. 4 of 1990 s. 9]111. Functions of Council
The functions of the Council shall be to—112. Term of office of members
113. Regulations governing Road Safety Council
The Minister may make regulations for all or any of the following purposes:Part VIII – Miscellaneous provisions
114. Persons propelling pushcarts or riding animals, etc.
A person propelling or riding any carriage or an animal upon a road, or driving any animal-drawn vehicle, shall be subject to the provisions of this Act.[s. 100]115. Restrictions on riding bicycles
A bicycle shall not carry more than one person over the age of seven years in addition to the driver and the person carried shall sit on a carrier securely fixed to the bicycle or on a step especially fitted to carry a passenger.[s. 101]116. Damage to road or related works
Where, by reason of an offence against this Act, any damage is caused to any road or any works erected in connection with the road or any road signs, the authority responsible for the repair of the road may cause such damage to be made good, and may, either before or after the damage is made good, recover the estimated or actual cost from the owner of the vehicle causing the damage.[s. 102]117. Certificate of cost
A certificate under the hand of the Engineer-in-Chief, or any person authorised by him in that behalf as to the cost of making good any damage referred to in section 116, shall be prima facie evidence of the amount payable by the owner of the vehicle which caused the damage.[s. 103]118. Application of Act to persons in public service and vehicles of Government
This Act shall apply to persons in, and vehicles owned by or used in the service of Government, save to the extent otherwise expressly provided in this Act or in any other written law.[s. 104]119. Driving vehicle, etc., to common danger
A person who drives or propels or causes to be driven or propelled any animal or carriage on a road carelessly, negligently or recklessly, or at a speed or in a manner which is dangerous to the public or to property, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, including the amount and nature of the traffic which actually is at the time or which might reasonably be expected to be on such road, commits an offence.[s. 105]120. Driving carriage, etc., while drunk
A person driving, propelling or being in charge of any carriage or animal on a road, while drunk or while his efficiency for such purpose is impaired by drink or drugs, commits an offence.[s. 106]121. Bicycle, etc., to have bells
A bicycle and tricycle shall be fitted with a horn, bell or other instrument and the person riding such bicycle or tricycle shall, whenever it is prudent for the purpose of giving audible warning of his approach, clearly sound such horn, bell or other instrument.[s. 107]122. Use of blind animals
An owner or person in charge of a carriage drawn by animals shall not allow any animal which is of materially defective vision to be used for drawing such vehicle on a road.[s. 108]123. Hire of vehicles
124. Arrest without warrant
A police officer may arrest without warrant the driver or the person in charge of any vehicle, carriage or animal who commits an offence under this Act—125. Aiding, abetting, etc.
Where a person is convicted of aiding, abetting, counseling, procuring, or inciting the commission of an offence under this Act, and it is proved that he was present in the vehicle at the time the offence of which he is convicted of was committed, he shall, for the purpose of the provisions of this Act relating to disqualification for holding or obtaining a driving licence, be deemed to have committed an offence in connection with the driving of the vehicle.[s. 111]126. Exemptions
The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, exempt either wholly or partly, and either unconditionally or subject to conditions, any person or vehicle or class of vehicles from any of the provisions or requirements of this Act.[s. 112]127. General penalties for contravention of Act
128. Regulations
129. Delegation by Minister
The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, delegate all or any of his functions under this Act, either generally or in relation to any area, to any public officer or authority.[s. 115]130. Delegation by Registrar
The Registrar may, with the consent of the Minister responsible for finance, delegate all or any of his functions under this Act, either generally or in relation to any area, to any public officer.[s. 116]131. Repeal
[Repeals of the Traffic Ordinance with savings.][R.L. Cap. 168][s. 117]132. Omitted
[Omitted.][s. 117]History of this document
31 December 2023 this version
Chapter 168
Revised Laws 2023
Consolidation
01 July 2019
Amended by
Finance Act, 2019
27 July 2012
01 July 2011
Amended by
Finance Act, 2011
06 August 2010
31 July 2002
13 January 1974
Commenced

