Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill

Bill No. 12/1977

Read the first time on 2nd September 1977.

An Act to amend the Road Traffic Act (Chapter 92 of the Revised Edition).

Be it enacted by the President with the advice and consent of the Parliament of Singapore, as follows: —

Short title and commencement

1. This Act may be cited as the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 1977, and shall come into operation on such date as the Minister may, by notification in the Gazette, appoint.

Amendment of section 2

2. Section 2 of the Road Traffic Act (hereinafter in this Act referred to as “the principal Act”) is hereby amended —

(a)

by re-numbering the existing section as subsection (1) thereof;

(b)

by deleting the definition of “driving licence” appearing therein and substituting therefor the following: —

“ “driving licence” means a licence to drive a motor vehicle granted under the provisions of Part II;”;

(c)

by deleting the figure “7” appearing in the second line of the definition of “Registrar” therein and substituting therefor the figure “6”;

(d)

by deleting the definition of “road” appearing therein and substituting therefor the following: —

“ “road” means any public road and any other road to which the public has access, and includes —

(a)	any road within Pulau Bukom;
(b)	any road within the limits of any installation of the Singapore Armed Forces declared by the Minister by notification in the Gazette to be an installation to which this Act applies; and
(c)	any bridge over which a road passes;”; and

(e)

by inserting immediately after subsection (1) thereof the following new subsection: —

“(2) For the purposes of this Act, a person is a resident of Singapore, or is deemed to have taken up residence in Singapore, if he resides in Singapore for a continuous period of six months and any temporary period or periods of absence during the said period of six months is immaterial.”.

Amendment of heading and subheading

3. The principal Act is hereby amended by deleting the expression —

“REGULATION OF VEHICLES

Classification of Motor Vehicles”,

appearing immediately above section 3 thereof and substituting therefor the words “REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES”.

Amendment of section 3

4. Section 3 of the principal Act is hereby amended by deleting the expression “sections 39 and 51” and substituting therefor the expression “section 13D”.

Amendment of section 4

5. Subsection (1) of section 4 of the principal Act is hereby amended —

(a)	by deleting the words “eleven tons and a half” appearing in the last line of paragraph (a) thereof and substituting therefor the words “eleven thousand and five hundred kilograms”;
(b)	by deleting the words “eleven tons and a half but does exceed seven tons and a quarter” appearing in the fifth and sixth lines of paragraph (b) thereof and substituting therefor the words “eleven thousand and five hundred kilograms but does exceed seven thousand two hundred and fifty kilograms”;
(c)	by deleting the words “seven tons and a quarter” appearing in the fifth and sixth lines of paragraph (c) thereof and substituting therefor the words “seven thousand two hundred and fifty kilograms”;
(d)	by deleting the words “two tons and a half” appearing in the last line of paragraph (d) thereof and substituting therefor the words “two thousand and five hundred kilograms”;
(e)	by deleting the words “three tons” appearing in the first line of sub-paragraph (i) of paragraph (e) thereof and substituting therefor the words “three thousand kilograms”;
(f)	by deleting the words “two tons and a half” appearing in sub-paragraph (ii) of paragraph (e) thereof and substituting therefor the words “two thousand and five hundred kilograms”;
(g)	by deleting the words “eight hundredweight” appearing in the last line of paragraph (f) thereof and substituting therefor the words “four hundred kilograms”; and
(h)	by deleting the words “five hundredweight” appearing in the second and third lines of paragraph (g) thereof and substituting therefor the words “two hundred and fifty kilograms”.

New sections 5A and 5B

6. The principal Act is hereby amended by inserting immediately after section 5 thereof the following new sections: —

“Rules as to use and construction of vehicles

5A. The Minister may make rules generally as to the use of vehicles and trailers, their construction and equipment and the conditions under which they may be used, and in particular without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions may make rules —

(a)	to regulate the width, height, wheel base, length and overhang of vehicles and trailers and the load carried thereby, the diameter of wheels and the width, nature and condition of tyres of vehicles and trailers and to prohibit the use of any tyres likely to cause damage to the roads;
(b)	to prohibit excessive noise due to the design or condition of the motor vehicle or trailer or the loading thereof;
(c)	to regulate the maximum weight unladen of heavy locomotives and heavy motor cars and the maximum weight laden of motor vehicles and trailers and the maximum weight to be transmitted to the road or any specified area thereof by a motor vehicle or trailer of any class or description or by any part or parts of such a vehicle or trailer in contact with the road and the conditions under which the weights may be required to be tested;
(d)	to prescribe the particulars to be marked on vehicles and trailers;
(e)	to specify the number and nature of springs and brakes on vehicles and trailers and to secure that springs, brakes, silencers and steering gear shall be efficient and kept in proper working order and for empowering any person or classes of persons named or described in such rules to test and inspect any such springs, brakes, silencers and steering gear on a road or, subject to the consent of the occupier of the premises, on any premises;
(f)	to regulate the appliances to be fitted for signalling the approach of a vehicle or enabling the driver of a motor vehicle to become aware of the approach of another vehicle from the rear or for intimating any intended change of speed or direction of a motor vehicle and to regulate or to prohibit the use of any such appliances and to secure that they shall be efficient and kept in proper working order;
(g)	to regulate the lights to be carried by vehicles and trailers whether in respect of the nature of such lights, the positions in which they shall be fixed and the periods during which they shall be lighted or otherwise;
(h)	to prescribe the safety equipment to be installed in vehicles;
(i)	to control, in connection with the use of a motor vehicle, the emission of smoke, oily substance, ashes, water, steam, visible vapour, noxious fumes, sparks, cinders, gas or grit;
(j)	to regulate the towing or drawing of vehicles by motor vehicles and the manner of attachments;
(k)	to prohibit in connection with the use of a motor vehicle the use of any appliance or the commission of any act which is likely to cause annoyance or danger;
(l)	to regulate the number of trailers that may be attached in train to any motor vehicle, the manner of attachment and the manner in which the same shall be kept under control and the maximum weight thereof;
(m)	to prescribe the number of persons to be employed in driving or attending motor vehicles or trailers and to regulate the duties and conduct of such persons;
(n)	to prescribe a maximum speed for motor vehicles of any class or description and to provide for exemption in special cases; and
(o)	to regulate or prohibit either generally or in specified areas or roads and either at all times or between specified hours the use of horns or other warning appliances,

and different rules may be made in respect of different classes or descriptions of vehicles or in respect of the same class or description of vehicles in different circumstances.

Savings

5B. Nothing in this Part shall authorize any person to use any vehicle or trailer so constructed or used as to cause a public or private nuisance or be deemed to affect the liability by virtue of any Act or otherwise of the driver or owner so using such a vehicle.”.

Deletion of subheading

7. The principal Act is hereby amended by deleting the words “Registration and Licensing of Vehicles” appearing immediately above section 6 thereof.

Repeal and re-enactment of section 6

8. Section 6 of the principal Act is hereby repealed and the following substituted therefor: —

“Interpretation

6. For the purposes of this Part, “licence” means a vehicle licence issued under the provisions of this Part.”.

New sections 7A to 7O

9. The principal Act is hereby amended by inserting immediately after section 7 thereof the following new sections: —

“Registration of vehicles

7A.—(1) Except as otherwise provided by this Act or the rules, no person shall keep or use a vehicle unless it has been registered under this Act.

(2) The Registrar may charge such fees as may be prescribed for the registration of a vehicle under this Act.

Charge of tax on vehicles

7B.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and the rules, a tax shall be charged in respect of —

(a)	the first registration of every vehicle under this Act; and
(b)	every vehicle used or kept on any road in Singapore,

and shall be paid upon a licence to be taken out by the person keeping the vehicle.

(2) The tax chargeable under paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this section in respect of a vehicle shall be of such an amount as the Minister may prescribe from time to time and the Minister may prescribe different taxes for vehicles of different classes, categories or descriptions or vehicles used for different purposes.

(3) The tax chargeable under paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section in respect of a vehicle of any description shall be chargeable by reference to such annual or semi-annual rate as may be prescribed by the Minister from time to time.

(4) Any rates prescribed by the Minister may be so made to apply only to vehicles of a specified class, category or description and the Minister may prescribe different rates for vehicles of different classes, categories or descriptions or vehicles used for different purposes.

(5) For the purposes of the said tax, in so far as it is chargeable in respect of the use or keeping of a vehicle on a road, a vehicle shall be deemed —

(a)	to be chargeable with the like tax as on the occasion of the issue of the vehicle licence or last vehicle licence issued for the vehicle under this Act, and to be so chargeable by reference to the prescribed rate as applicable to the vehicle on that occasion; or
(b)	if no vehicle licence has been issued for the vehicle under this Act, to be chargeable by reference to the prescribed rate applicable to the vehicle.

(6) Nothing in this section shall operate so as to render lawful the keeping of a vehicle for any period, in any manner or at any place, if to do so would be unlawful apart from this section.

Vehicles licensed outside Singapore

7C.—(1) Where any vehicle in respect of which a licence authorising its use is first issued outside Singapore is kept or used on any road in Singapore by a person who is a resident of Singapore the tax chargeable under paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 7B of this Act shall be paid in respect of such vehicle by the person keeping or using it as if the vehicle is first registered and used in Singapore.

(2) Any person who has in his possession or comes into possession of, or uses, a motor vehicle in respect of which a licence issued under the provisions of any law of any country relating to motor vehicles is in force shall inform the Registrar, within such period as may be prescribed, if he is a resident of Singapore or takes up residence in Singapore.

Commencement and duration of licences

7D.—(1) A vehicle licence may be taken out —

(a)	for any period of six months or of twelve months; and
(b)	for any such shorter period but not being less than one month as the Registrar may approve,

and shall, unless the Registrar otherwise determines, first have effect on the first day of the month in which the licence is applied for or on the day following the expiry of the last vehicle licence issued for the vehicle under this Act.

(2) A licence which first has effect before the day on which it is issued shall not affect any criminal liability incurred before that day.

Exemptions from tax on certain descriptions of vehicles

7E. No tax shall be chargeable under this Act in respect of vehicles of the following descriptions: —

(a)	fire engines;
(b)	vehicles used solely for the purpose of a fire-fighting service;
(c)	ambulances;
(d)	road rollers;
(e)	vehicles used exclusively on roads which are not repairable at the public expense;
(f)	vehicles used solely for industry, mining and agriculture and not intended to be used on any road repairable at the public expense;
(g)	invalid carriages; and
(h)	bicycles.

Using and keeping of vehicle without a licence

7F. Any person who uses or keeps on any road any vehicle for which a licence is not in force, not being a vehicle exempted from tax under this Act by virtue of the provisions of any written law, shall be guilty of an offence and shall —

(a)

be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars; or

(b)

if it has been proved to the satisfaction of the court that he had the intention to evade payment of any tax chargeable under this Act, shall be punished on conviction with a fine of an amount equal to three times the tax payable if a vehicle licence had been taken out for the period beginning with the expiry of the vehicle licence last in force for the vehicle before the date of the offence or, if there has not at any time before that date a vehicle licence in force for the vehicle, with the first day of the month in which the vehicle was first kept by that person and ending with the last day of the month during which the offence was committed.

Presumption on use and keeping of vehicle

7G. For the purposes of this Act, the person who is for the time being registered under the provisions of this Part as the owner of a vehicle shall, until the contrary is proved, be presumed to keep or use that vehicle on a road.

Continuous liability for duty

7H.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, a person who for any period keeps a vehicle in respect of which tax under this Act has at any time become chargeable shall, whether or not it is still a mechanically propelled vehicle, be liable to pay tax under this Act in respect of the vehicle for that period.

(2) Subject as aforesaid, a person shall not be liable by virtue of subsection (1) of this section to pay tax under this Act in respect of a vehicle —

(a)	for any period for which tax under this Act in respect of the vehicle has been paid and has not been repaid in consequence of the surrender of a licence;
(b)	for any calendar month in respect of which he has, in accordance with the rules, given notice to the Registrar that the vehicle will not be used or kept on a public road during that month; and
(c)	for any period by reference to which there was calculated an amount ordered to be paid by him as a fine in pursuance of paragraph (b) of section 7F of this Act.

(3) A person shall not by virtue of paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of this section be exempt from his liability for any period under subsection (1) of this section in respect of a vehicle if at any time during that period he or any other person with his consent uses or keeps the vehicle on a public road and no vehicle licence is in force for the vehicle at that time; and for the purposes of this subsection the consent mentioned as aforesaid shall be presumed to have been given unless the contrary is shown, but any use or keeping of the vehicle in question as respects which the vehicle is exempt by virtue of any written law for the time being in force from tax under this Act shall be disregarded.

(4) Sums payable in pursuance of this section by way of tax in respect of a vehicle shall accrue due for every period of a calendar month at one-sixth of the semi-annual rate of tax applicable to the vehicle at the relevant time.

Suit for recovery of tax

7I.—(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other written law, any tax chargeable under this Act may be sued for by way of a specially indorsed writ of summons.

(2) In any suit under subsection (1) of this section the production of a certificate signed by the Registrar giving the name and address of the defendant and the amount of tax from him in respect of any vehicle kept by him shall be sufficient evidence of the amount due and sufficient authority for the court to give judgment for the said amount.

Issue and exhibition of licences

7J.—(1) Every person applying for a vehicle licence shall make such a declaration and furnish such particulars with respect to the vehicle for which the licence is to be taken out or otherwise as may be prescribed.

(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act as to general licences, every vehicle licence shall be issued for the vehicle specified in the application for the licence and shall not entitle the person to whom it is issued to use or keep any other vehicle.

(3) The Registrar shall not be required to issue any vehicle licence for which application is made unless he is satisfied —

(a)

that the licence applied for is the appropriate licence for the vehicle specified in the application;

(b)

in the case of an application for a licence for a vehicle purporting to be the first application for a licence for the vehicle, that a licence has not previously been issued for that vehicle; and

(c)

that either —

(i)	for the period of the licence there will be in force the policy of insurance or the security required by law in relation to the use of the motor vehicle by the applicant or by other persons on his order or with his permission; or
(ii)	the motor vehicle is a vehicle to which section 3 of the Motor Vehicles (Third-Party Risks and Compensation) Act (Cap. 88) does not apply at any time when it is being driven by the owner thereof or by a servant of his in the course of his employment or is otherwise subject to the control of the owner.

(4) Subject to the rules, and without prejudice to section 8 of this Act, any person who uses or keeps on a public road any vehicle on which tax under this Act is chargeable without there being fixed to and exhibited on that vehicle in the prescribed manner a licence for, or in respect of the use of, that vehicle issued under this Act and for the time being in force shall be guilty of an offence.

(5) Rules made under this Act may provide for the issue of a new licence in the place of a licence which may be lost or destroyed, and for the fee to be paid on the issue of a new licence.

(6) Any vehicle licence may be transferred in the prescribed manner.

Number of persons carried in vehicle

7K.—(1) The Registrar, when issuing a licence for any heavy motor car, motor car or motor cycle, may determine and enter in the registration book for that vehicle the maximum number of persons that may be carried in any portion thereof.

(2) The person who drives a motor vehicle carrying persons in excess of the maximum number of persons permitted to be carried on the vehicle shall be guilty of an offence.

Late application for a licence

7L. If a licence is applied for a vehicle after the period of fourteen days following the date of expiry of the last licence issued for the vehicle, a late payment fee as may be prescribed shall be payable for the issue of the licence.

Surrender of licences

7M. The holder of a licence may at any time surrender the licence to the Registrar in the prescribed manner and shall on so surrendering the licence be entitled, if he satisfies the prescribed requirements, to receive from the Registrar, by way of rebate of tax paid upon the surrendered licence, a sum equal to the amount of tax which had been charged for the remaining number of calendar months for which the licence would have been in force.

Vehicle destroyed, exported, etc.

7N. The holder of a licence may at any time notify the Registrar that his vehicle has been destroyed or exported or will cease to be kept or used on any road and the Registrar on being satisfied in such manner as he requires that the vehicle has been destroyed or exported or will cease to be kept or used on any road, shall refund to the holder of the licence a sum equal to the amount which has been charged for the number of calendar months for which the licence would have continued to be in force.

Alteration of vehicle or of its use

7O.—(1) Where a vehicle licence has been taken out for a vehicle at any rate prescribed under this Act and the vehicle is at any time while the licence is in force used in an altered condition or in a manner or for a purpose which brings it within, or which if it was used solely in that condition or in that manner or for that purpose would bring it within, a description of vehicle to which a higher rate of tax is applicable under this Act, tax at that higher rate shall become chargeable in respect of the licence for the vehicle.

(2) Where tax at a higher rate becomes chargeable under subsection (1) of this section in respect of any vehicle licence, the licence may be exchanged for a new vehicle licence, for the period beginning with the date on which the higher rate of tax becomes chargeable and expiring at the end of the period for which the original vehicle licence was issued, on payment of the difference between the amount payable on the new licence and the amount to be refunded on the surrender of the original vehicle licence.

(3) Where a vehicle licence has been taken out for a vehicle, and by reason of the vehicle being used as mentioned in subsection (1) of this section, a higher rate of tax becomes chargeable and tax at the higher rate was not paid before the vehicle was so used, the person so using the vehicle shall be guilty of an offence.”.

Repeal and re-enactment of section 8

10. Section 8 of the principal Act is hereby repealed and the following substituted therefor: —

“Visitors’ vehicles

8.—(1) Rules made under this Part may modify the provisions of this Part in the case of motor vehicles brought temporarily by persons resident outside Singapore and intending to make only a temporary stay in Singapore and such rules may provide for the issue of a permit in respect of a vehicle brought into Singapore from any place outside Singapore authorising the use in Singapore of such vehicle for any specified period.

(2) Such rules may prescribe for the levy of a fee for the issue of such permit and for the levy of a tax for the use of such a vehicle in Singapore in accordance with such rates as the Minister may prescribe.

(3) Any rates prescribed by the Minister under this section may be so made to apply only to vehicles of a specified class, category or description and the Minister may prescribe different rates for vehicles of different classes, categories or descriptions or for vehicles used for different purposes.”.

Repeal of section 11

11. Section 11 of the principal Act is hereby repealed.

New sections 13A to 13E

12. The principal Act is hereby amended by inserting immediately after section 13 thereof the following new sections: —

“Power to seize and sell vehicles

13A.—(1) If any tax payable in respect of any vehicle remains unpaid after one month commencing from the date of expiry of the licence last in force for the vehicle, the Registrar may issue a warrant in the prescribed form directing the officer named therein to seize the vehicle and recover the tax due from the proceeds of the sale of the vehicle.

(2) The person to whom any warrant is addressed may break open in the daytime any house or building for the purpose of the seizure of the vehicle in pursuance of such warrant.

(3) Such fees as are prescribed by the Minister shall be payable by way of costs in the case of the issue of a warrant for the recovery of any tax under this section.

Limitation on the bringing of proceedings for recovery of overpayment of tax

13B. No proceedings shall be brought for enforcing any repayment of tax to which a person may be entitled in respect of any overpayment of tax made on a vehicle licence taken out by him, unless the proceedings are brought before the expiration of the twelve months beginning with the end of the period in respect of which the licence was taken out.

Power to compound

13C. The Registrar may, in his discretion, compound any offence under this Part or the rules made thereunder by collecting from the person reasonably suspected of having committed the offence a sum of money not exceeding fifty dollars and in the case of an offence under section 7F of this Act a sum not exceeding two hundred dollars.

Exemptions and application to vehicles belonging to the Government

13D.—(1) The Minister may in special cases and for a particular occasion exempt any vehicle or type of vehicle from the operation of all or any of the provisions of this Part or from the taxes or fees payable thereunder or may reduce such taxes or fees.

(2) This Part shall apply to vehicles belonging to the Government but nothing in this Part shall be construed as requiring any taxes or fees to be payable under this Part in respect of such vehicles.

Rules for the purposes of Part I

13E. The Minister may make rules for any purpose for which rules may be made under this Part and for prescribing anything which may be prescribed under this Part, and otherwise for the purpose of carrying this Part into effect, and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions, may make rules —

(a)	to regulate the registration and licensing of vehicles, to prescribe the forms of application for and the contents of vehicle licences, and to provide special facilities for the licensing of motor vehicles brought into Singapore from places outside Singapore;
(b)	to provide for the issue of registration books in respect of the registration of any vehicle and for the surrender, transfer and production and the inspection by the prescribed persons of any book so issued; and for the issue of new registration books and new vehicle licences in the place of any such books or licences which may be lost or destroyed and for a fee to be paid on the issue of a new registration book or vehicle licence;
(c)	to prescribe the size, shape and character of the identification marks or the signs to be fixed on any vehicle and the manner in which those marks or signs are to be displayed and rendered easily distinguishable whether by night or by day;
(d)	to require any person to whom any vehicle is sold or disposed of to furnish the prescribed particulars in the prescribed manner;
(e)	to prescribe the form of, and the particulars to be included in, the register with respect to motor vehicles for which a general licence has been taken out by a manufacturer or dealer and the identification marks to be carried by any such motor vehicle and to define the purposes for which the holder of a general licence may use a motor vehicle under such general licence;
(f)	to extend any provisions as to registration and provisions incidental to any such provisions to any vehicles in respect of which taxes chargeable under this Part are not payable and to provide for the identification of any such vehicles;
(g)	to provide for information contained in any records maintained by the Registrar with respect to the marking, registration or keeping of vehicles to be made public or to be made available, either without payment or on payment of the prescribed fee, to such persons as may be determined by or under the rules;
(h)	with respect to the form and particulars to be included in a notice under paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section 7H of this Act, the manner of giving such a notice and the time at which it is to be treated as being given;
(i)	for securing that notice under paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section 7H of this Act is not given in respect of a period of less than thirty days or more than twelve months;
(j)	as to the mode of calculating the period in respect of which notice under paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section 7H of this Act is to be treated as given;
(k)	with respect to the mode of proving the giving of the said notice;
(l)	for deeming the said notice to have been given in relation to a vehicle in respect of any period or at any time if in the circumstances of any particular case the Minister considers it reasonable to do so;
(m)	to make provision with respect to the furnishing of information and production of certificates of insurance or security and with respect to the registration and identification of such vehicles (including vehicles belonging to the Government);
(n)	to prescribe the particulars to be marked on vehicles and trailers; and
(o)	to prescribe such fees and costs as are payable for the recovery of any tax payable under this Act.”.

Amendment of sub-heading

13. The principal Act is hereby amended by deleting the words “Licensing of Drivers” appearing immediately above section 14 thereof and substituting therefor the following expression: —

“PART II

LICENSING OF DRIVERS”.

Amendment of section 15

14. Section 15 of the principal Act is hereby amended by deleting the word “from” appearing in the fifth line of subsection (3) thereof and substituting therefor the word “for”.

Repeal and re-enactment of section 17

15. Section 17 of the principal Act is hereby repealed and the following substituted therefor: —

“Recognition of driving licences issued outside Singapore

17. Subject to the provisions of section 24 of this Act, any person, other than a resident of Singapore, who holds a driving licence issued under any written law relating to motor vehicles in Malaysia which licence would, if such person were in the place where it was issued, still be in force may drive a motor vehicle of the class or description which the licence authorises him to drive notwithstanding that he has not been granted a driving licence under this Part.”.

Repeal and re-enactment of section 23

16. Section 23 of the principal Act is hereby repealed and the following substituted therefor: —

“Recording of particulars of convictions or disqualifications by Registrar

23.—(1) Where a person is convicted of an offence under this Act in connection with the driving of a motor vehicle or is disqualified by any court for holding or obtaining a driving licence, the court shall send notice of the conviction or order of disqualification to the Registrar who shall thereupon cause particulars of such conviction or disqualification to be recorded and maintained for a period not exceeding three years from the date of the conviction or expiry of disqualification, as the case may be.

(2) In any proceedings in any court a certificate, purporting to be signed by the Registrar or any officer authorised by him, relating to the particulars of any conviction or disqualification recorded and maintained under subsection (1) of this section shall be prima facie evidence of such conviction or disqualification.

(3) Where a person is disqualified by any court for holding a driving licence, he shall deliver his driving licence, if any, within seven days of the order of disqualification to the Registrar who shall either cancel it or keep it during the period of disqualification or if the disqualification does not apply to all the classes of vehicles which that person is permitted to drive then the Registrar shall return the driving licence to him after having made the necessary endorsement thereon.”.

New sections 23D and 23E

17. The principal Act is hereby amended by inserting immediately after section 23C thereof the following new sections: —

“Rules for the purposes of Part II

23D. The Minister may make rules for any purpose for which rules may be made under this Part and for prescribing anything which may be prescribed under this Part and otherwise for the purpose of carrying this Part into effect, and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions, may make rules —

(a)	to regulate the granting of driving licences, to prescribe the form of application for and the contents of driving licences, to prescribe the fees to be charged therefor and the manner of payment thereof;
(b)	with respect to the nature of tests of competence to drive, to evidence of the result thereof and generally with respect thereto;
(c)	to require a person submitting himself for a test to provide a motor vehicle for the purpose thereof and to prescribe the fee to be charged for a test;
(d)	to ensure that a person submitting himself for a test and failing to pass that test shall not be eligible to submit himself for another test by the same or any other person before the expiration of a prescribed period except under an order made by a court under the power conferred by subsection (3) of section 15 of this Act;
(e)	to prescribe the record to be kept in respect of driving licences;
(f)	to provide special facilities for granting driving licences to persons not resident in Singapore;
(g)	for modifying the provisions of this Part relating to the licensing of drivers of motor vehicles in the case of persons resident abroad and who enter Singapore intending to make only a temporary stay in Singapore; and
(h)	to make any particulars with respect to persons, who are disqualified for holding or obtaining driving licences or whose licences are suspended, available for use by the Registrar and to prevent a person holding more than one driving licence and to facilitate the identification of holders of driving licences and to provide for the issue of a new licence in the place of a driving licence lost or defaced on payment of such fee as may be prescribed and in connection with driving licences generally.

Exemption

23E. Any person who is a member of the Singapore Armed Forces who is in possession of a certificate or document issued to him by the competent authority of the Singapore Armed Forces to drive a motor vehicle of a class or description specified in such certificate or document may drive a vehicle of the class or description specified in such certificate or document, such vehicle being the property of the Singapore Armed Forces, notwithstanding that he has not been granted a driving licence under this Part.”.

New heading

18. The principal Act is hereby amended by inserting immediately above the sub-heading “Provisions as to Driving and Offences in connection therewith” appearing immediately above section 24 thereof the following expression: —

“PART III

GENERAL PROVISIONS
RELATING TO ROAD TRAFFIC”.

Amendment of section 25

19. Subsection (2) of section 25 of the principal Act is hereby amended —

(a)	by deleting the colon appearing at the end of the fifth line thereof and substituting therefor a fullstop; and
(b)	by deleting the proviso thereto.

New sections 33A and 33B

20. The principal Act is hereby amended by inserting immediately after section 33 thereof the following new sections: —

“Wearing of seat belts

33A.—(1) The Minister may make rules requiring, subject to such exceptions as may be prescribed, persons driving or riding in motor vehicles to wear seat belts of such description as may be prescribed.

(2) Rules under this section —

(a)	may make different provisions in relation to different classes of vehicles, different descriptions of persons and different circumstances; and
(b)	may make any prescribed exceptions subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.

Sale of seat belts

33B.—(1) No person shall sell or offer for sale or have in his possession for sale any seat belt which is not of a type approved by the Minister.

(2) Any person who contravenes the provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this Act.”.

Repeal of sections 48, 49 and 50

21. Sections 48, 49 and 50 of the principal Act are hereby repealed.

Repeal and re-enactment of section 51

22. Section 51 of the principal Act is hereby repealed and the following substituted therefor: —

“Application to vehicles belonging to the Government and the armed forces

51. This Part shall subject as otherwise provided apply to vehicles, trailers and persons in the service of the Government or of any visiting force lawfully present in Singapore and for the purpose of proceedings for an offence in connection with any such vehicle or trailer against any person other than the driver of the vehicle the person nominated in that behalf by the department in whose service the vehicle or trailer is used shall be deemed to be the person actually responsible unless it is shown to the satisfaction of the court that the driver only was responsible:

Provided that in the case of motor vehicles owned by the Government or by any visiting force lawfully present in Singapore and used for naval, military or air force purposes or in the case of motor vehicles so used while being driven by persons for the time being subject to the orders of any member of the armed forces in Singapore the Minister may by rules, subject to such conditions as may be specified in the rules, vary in relation to any such vehicles as aforesaid while being driven as aforesaid the provisions of this Act or of any rule, order or notification imposing a speed limit on motor vehicles and the provisions of this Part which respectively —

(a)	impose restrictions on persons under twenty-one years of age with respect to the driving of heavy locomotives, light locomotives, motor tractors or heavy motor cars;
(b)	regulate the number of trailers which may be drawn by motor vehicles.”.

Amendment of heading

23. Part II of the principal Act is hereby amended by re-numbering the Part as Part IV thereof.

Amendment of section 52

24. Section 52 of the principal Act is hereby amended by deleting the figures “II” appearing in the marginal note thereto and substituting therefor the figures “IV”.

Amendment of section 53

25. Subsection (1) of section 53 of the principal Act is hereby amended —

(a)	by inserting immediately after the word “whole” appearing at the end of paragraph (d) thereof the words “or for the use of two or more persons who pay separate fares”; and
(b)	by deleting the expression “having seating capacity for not more than six persons (including the driver),” appearing in the second and third lines of paragraph (e) thereof.

Amendment of section 58

26. Section 58 of the principal Act is hereby amended —

(a)

by deleting subsection (2) thereof and substituting therefor the following: —

“(2) On the expiry, suspension or revocation of any public service vehicle licence, such licence together with all plates or other markings issued in connection therewith shall be returned to the Registrar within ten days after such expiry, suspension or revocation.”; and

(b)

by deleting the word “one” appearing in the third line of subsection (3) thereof and substituting therefor the word “five”.

Amendment of section 59

27. Subsection (4) of section 59 of the principal Act is hereby amended by deleting the word “and” appearing in the second line thereof and substituting therefor the word “or”.

Repeal and re-enactment of section 61

28. Section 61 of the principal Act is hereby repealed and the following substituted therefor: —

“Revocation and suspension of licences

61. The Registrar may at any time suspend or revoke a public service vehicle licence if —

(a)

owing to any defects in the vehicle in respect of which the licence is issued, the vehicle is or is likely to become unfit for service; or

(b)

having regard to the conduct of the holder of the licence or to the manner in which the vehicle is being used, it appears to the Registrar that the licence should be suspended or revoked; or

(c)

in the case of a public service vehicle licence issued in respect of a taxi, the holder of the licence —

(i)	has attained the age of sixty-three years; or
(ii)	holds more than one public service vehicle licence issued in respect of a taxi; or
(iii)	has ceased to carry on his vocation as a taxi-driver.”.

Re-numbering of Part III

29. Part III of the principal Act is hereby amended by re-numbering the Part as Part V thereof.

Amendment of section 70

30. Section 70 of the principal Act is hereby amended —

(a)	by inserting immediately after the word “be” appearing in the second line of subsection (1) thereof the expression “drawn,”;
(b)	by inserting immediately after the word “so” appearing in the third line of subsection (1) thereof the expression “drawn,”;
(c)	by inserting immediately after the word “be” appearing in the first line of subsection (3) thereof the words “drawn or”; and
(d)	by inserting immediately after the word “be” appearing in the second line of subsection (8) thereof the words “drawn or”.

Amendment of section 71

31. Section 71 of the principal Act is hereby amended —

(a)

by deleting the words “in a road” appearing in the second line of subsection (1) thereof and substituting therefor the words “on a road”;

(b)

by inserting immediately after subsection (1) thereof the following new subsection: —

“(2) Where a police officer in uniform is for the time being engaged in the regulation of traffic on a road at any place where there are traffic light signals regulating the movement of traffic, a person driving a vehicle shall comply with the directions given by the police officer notwithstanding that the traffic light signals indicate otherwise.”; and

(c)

by re-numbering the existing subsection (2) as subsection (3) thereof.

Repeal and re-enactment of section 72

32. Section 72 of the principal Act is hereby repealed and the following substituted therefor: —

“Pedestrian crossings

72.—(1) Crossings for pedestrians (hereinafter referred to as “crossings”) may be established on roads, or on subways constructed under roads, or on bridges constructed over roads, in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(2) The Minister may make rules with respect to the precedence of vehicles and pedestrians respectively and generally with respect to the movement of traffic (including pedestrians), at and in the vicinity of crossings.

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2) of this section, rules made thereunder may be made prohibiting pedestrian traffic on the carriageway within fifty metres of a crossing, and with respect to the indication of the limits of a crossing, or of any other matter whatsoever relating to the crossing, by marks or devices on or near the roadway or otherwise, and generally with respect to the erection of traffic signs in connection with a crossing.

(4) Different rules may be made under this section in relation to different conditions, and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions, different rules may be made in relation to crossings in the vicinity of, and at a distance from, a junction of roads, and to traffic which is controlled by the police, and by traffic signals, and by different kinds of traffic signals, and which is not controlled.

(5) Rules may be made under this section applying only to a particular crossing or particular crossings specified in the rules.

(6) Any person who contravenes any of the rules made under this section shall be guilty of an offence under this Act and shall be liable on conviction —

(a)	if the offence was committed by him in his capacity as the driver of a vehicle, to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months and in the case of a second and subsequent offence to a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months; and
(b)	in any other case, to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars.”.

Amendment of section 77

33. Section 77 of the principal Act is hereby amended by inserting immediately after subsection (3) thereof the following new subsection: —

“(4) Any person who while being carried on or being permitted to ride on a goods vehicle —

(a)	fails to sit on a seat in or at any place on the vehicle as directed by the driver or other person in charge of the vehicle; or
(b)	fails to comply with such directions as are given by the driver or other person in charge of the vehicle regarding his personal safety,

shall be guilty of an offence under this Act and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars.”.

Re-numbering of Part IV

34. Part IV of the principal Act is hereby amended by re-numbering the Part as Part VI thereof.

Amendment of section 81

35. Section 81 of the principal Act is hereby amended by deleting the figures “II” wherever they appear therein and substituting therefor in each case the figures “IV”.

Amendment of section 85

36. Section 85 of the principal Act is hereby amended by deleting the word “Minister” appearing in the third line of subsection (1) thereof and substituting therefor the words “Deputy Commissioner of Police”.

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