4. Interpretation & Definitions

Bicycle: A vehicle with two or more wheels designed to be propelled by human power... does not include a wheelchair.

Blood Alcohol Concentration: Measured in grams of alcohol in every 100 millilitres (ml) of blood.

Drug: Includes any illegal and illicit drug. For the purposes of the Traffic Act 2017 only, kava is classified as a drug in the case of driving a motor vehicle.

Prescribed Blood Alcohol Concentration: Equal to or above 0.05g/100ml for a private vehicle; above 0.00g/100ml for a learner, bus, or commercial vehicle.

Serious Traffic Offence: Includes dangerous driving causing death or grievous bodily harm, careless driving causing death, speeding more than 20km/hour over the speed limit, or driving with a blood alcohol concentration above 0.15.

5. Penalty Unit

For all sections of this Act and any Schedule and/or Regulation, a prescribed penalty unit is $50. On 1 January in a year, the Government may publish and gazette an increase.

8. Motor vehicles must be registered

(1). A person must not drive a motor vehicle on a road unless the motor vehicle is registered.

(2). A person must not drive a motor vehicle on a road unless the number plates... are attached both on the front and rear.

12. Registration of a vehicle

Registration is valid for one (1) year for a private motor vehicle/motorbike; or six (6) months for a bus or commercial vehicle. An Authority must not register a motor vehicle for the first time in Kiribati that is older than ten years as per the original compliance plate.

13. Disposal of a vehicle

An owner that no longer wishes to register a vehicle must dispose of the vehicle at an Authority approved location only.

17. Change of Ownership

If the owner sells the vehicle, he or she must, within seven (7) days, submit a Transfer of Ownership form with details of the new owner.

19. Defect Notice

The Authority/Commissioner may issue a defect notice if a vehicle is not mechanically/structurally sound, would fail inspection, produces excessive fumes, or is a danger. The owner must not drive it except to take it for repair.

20. Driver's licence required

A person must not drive a motor vehicle on a road unless they hold a driver's licence for that class. A person must not let another person drive unless they hold a licence.

21. Learner drivers and permits

A learner driver must carry their permit. They must not drive a motor vehicle (other than a motor bike) unless a person who holds a driver's licence for the class of vehicle is sitting beside them.

24. Age requirement

18 years for a motor bike, private motor vehicle, and government motor vehicle. 25 years for a bus or commercial vehicle.

31. Foreign driver's licences

A visitor holding a foreign licence may drive for a period of six weeks after arriving. Stays over six weeks continually or three months in a calendar year require a local licence.

33. Dangerous Driving

(1). Causing death by driving dangerous to another person.

(2). Causing grievous bodily harm by dangerous driving.

(3). Driving dangerous to another person.

35. Careless driving & Speeding

(2). Driving without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other persons.

(3). Driving at a speed in excess of 20 kilometres an hour over the speed limit.

38. Making a false statement

Knowingly making a false statement or omitting information in an application or to the Authority/Commissioner.

40 & 41. Offences by bus operators & drivers

Bus drivers must not carry more passengers than licenced to carry and must only stop at designated bus stops.

42-47. Drink & Drug Driving (Including Kava)

Private Drivers: Limit is 0.05g/100ml.
Learner/Commercial/Bus Drivers: Limit is 0.00g/100ml.

Refusal to provide a breath and/or saliva sample deems the driver to have a BAC above 0.15g/100ml and/or under the influence of a drug.

53. Drink/Drug Penalties (1st Offence)

Low-range: Min 6 to Max 10 Penalty Units; 2-6 months disqualification.
Mid-range (0.1 - 0.15): Min 10 to Max 20 Penalty Units; 6-12 months disqualification.
High-range (> 0.15): Min 20 to Max 50 Penalty Units, 1-2 years imprisonment, 12-24 months disqualification.
Drug Driving: Min 10 to Max 20 Penalty Units; 6-12 months disqualification.

57 & 60. Penalty Notices

Penalty notices must be paid within fourteen (14) days. Failure to pay results in the penalty amount doubling, and the Authority may impound/tow the vehicle, suspend vehicle registration, and suspend the driver's licence.

63. Offences during period of suspension

A person must not drive while their driver licence is suspended.

66. Duty to stop in case of accident

Where an accident occurs whereby any person is injured or property is damaged, the driver must immediately stop and render assistance.

67. Reporting an accident

A driver must report an accident to the Commissioner within 24 hours of the accident occurring.

5. Maximum speed limits

Unless signed otherwise: Built-up area: 40 km/h. Feeder road: 20 km/h. Church/School/Bus/Pedestrian zone: 30 km/h. Other roads: 60 km/h. Heavy vehicles (>5 tonnes): Max 30 km/h on any road.

Speeding Fines:
< 10 km/h over: 1 Penalty Unit
10 - 20 km/h over: 4 Penalty Units
> 20 km/h over: 20 Penalty Units + up to 1 year suspension/imprisonment.

6-11. Turns & Indicators

A driver must signal a change of direction using indicator lights with sufficient notice (and/or 15 seconds, whichever is more) before making a turn.

A driver must not make a U-turn unless they have a clear view and can do so without obstructing traffic, and must give way to all vehicles and pedestrians.

13. Stop signs

A driver must come to a complete stop for a period of at least two (2) seconds at a stop sign.

21. Police and emergency vehicles

A driver must move out of the path and give way to an approaching police or emergency vehicle displaying flashing lights or sounding a siren.

22. Pedestrian crossings

A driver must give way to any pedestrian on a pedestrian crossing.

23. Overtaking zones

A driver must not overtake a vehicle within a church, school, bus stop, or pedestrian crossing zone.

37. Overtaking speed bumps

A driver must not overtake a vehicle to the left or right of the vehicle at a speed bump.

42. Driver must lock car etc

A driver leaving a parked vehicle must switch off the engine, apply the handbrake, and remove the key. A driver must not leave a person under the age of 15 unattended in a vehicle alone while it is parked.

46. Loading Zones

Only buses dropping off/picking up passengers, or commercial vehicles dropping off/picking up goods may stop in a loading zone (maximum 20 minutes unless signed otherwise).

47. Bus Stops

A driver, other than a bus driver, must not stop at a bus stop, or within 20 metres before and 10 metres after the bus stop.

51. Footpaths and Driveways

A driver must not stop on a footpath, or obstruct access to a footpath ramp or driveway.

55. Immobilisation and towing

Illegally parked, defective, or abandoned vehicles may be immobilised. Removal of an immobilisation notice before payment is an offence. Towing fees apply ($100 for < 20 tonnes, $200 for > 20 tonnes) plus a $20/day storage fee.

58. Using headlights on high beam

Must not use high beam less than 200 metres behind another vehicle or less than 200 metres from an oncoming vehicle.

62. Dimensions and Weights

Overall width must not exceed 2.5 metres. Overall height must not exceed 3.5 metres. Maximum total weight: 30,000kg. Loads must not overhang sides, or extend more than 1200mm from the rear without a 300x300mm red/orange flag.

68 & 69. Seatbelts and Children

Drivers and passengers (16+) must wear properly adjusted and fastened seatbelts. Children between 1 and 16 years old must be seated in the back seat properly restrained.

71 & 74. General Conduct & Doors

Persons must not travel with body parts outside windows/doors. Passengers travelling in the rear tray of a motor vehicle must sit inside the tray, not on the sides. Bus doors must be closed while moving.

75. Motor Bikes

Riders and passengers must sit astride, keep feet on footrests, and wear an approved motor bike helmet.

78 & 79. Mobile Phones and Eating

A person must not use a mobile phone unless using an approved hands-free cradle. A person must not eat and/or drink any food or liquid while driving.

80. Window Tinting

Luminous transmittance rules: Windscreen > 75%, Front sides > 50%, All remaining windows > 35%. Bus windows > 75%.

82. Noise or Smoke

A person must not start or drive a vehicle in a way that makes unnecessary noise or smoke.