Road Traffic Act
February 28, 2023 by
jngijamaica
The new Road Traffic Act https://japarliament.gov.jm/attachments/article/339/the road traffic act 2018.pdf (2018) and the Road Traffic Regulations (2022) have been in effect since February 1, 2023.
By obeying the laws of the road, you can avoid paying fines and losing points from your driver’s licence. You could also help to make our roads safer.
Below are 15 categories of infractions and the associated penalties for each offence (fines and points taken from your driver’s licence).
Speeding
| |
FINES |
POINTS |
| Exceeding the speed limit in a construction zone by 50 kilometres per hour |
$30,000 | 10 |
| Exceeding the speed limit in a construction zone by 33-49 kilometres per hour |
$20,000 | 6 |
| Exceeding the speed limit in a construction Zone by 16-32 kilometres per hour |
$12,000 | 3 |
| Exceeding the speed limit in a school safety Zone by 50 or more kilometres per hour |
$30,000 | 10 |
| Exceeding the speed limit in a school safety Zone by 33-49 or more kilometres per hour |
$20,000 | 6 |
| Exceeding the speed limit in a school safety Zone by 16-32 kilometres per hour |
$12,000 | 3 |
| Exceeding the speed limit by 50 kilometres per hour |
$15,000 | 6 |
| Exceeding the speed limit by 33-49 kilometres per hour |
$10,000 | 4 |
| Exceeding speed limit by 16-32 kilometres per hour |
$6,000 | 2 |
Operating a defective vehicle
| |
FINES | POINTS |
| Driving a defective motor vehicle |
$10,000 | 2 |
| Failing to fit mechanical or illuminated device (no indicator) |
$2,500 | 2 |
| No brake light |
$5,000 | 2 |
| No headlamp |
$5,000 | 4 |
| No park light |
$5000 | 2 |
| No reflectors |
$5,000 | 2 |
| No seatbelt in motor vehicle |
$5,000 | 2 |
| No warning devices |
$5,000 | 2 |
| Operating a vehicle where exhaust pipe or silencer is not in good working order |
$10,00 | 0 |
| Operating motor vehicle where exhaust pipe or silencer is placed and maintained so that exhaust or smoke leaks into the driving cab or passenger compartment | $10,000 | 0 |
| Operating motor vehicle where exhaust pipe or silencer when tested exceeds the Jamaica Motor Vehicle Exhaust Emission Standard limits | $10,000 | 0 |
| Operating motor vehicle where the exhaust or smoke from the engine causes nuisance or obstruction to the vision of other road users | $10,000 | 0 |
| Operating motor vehicle where the exhaust pipe or silencer is in such a position that oil or other flammable liquid or material can drip or fall onto the exhaust pipe or silencer | $10,000 | 0 |
Insurance
| |
FINES |
POINTS |
| Aid and abet operating a motor vehicle contrary to the terms of insurance coverage while acting as a driving instructor |
$30,000 |
0 |
| No motor vehicle insurance | $20,000 | 0 |
| Operating a motor vehicle contrary to the terms of insurance coverage while acting as a driving instructor |
$30,000 | 0 |
| Permitting another person to use motor vehicle not covered by insurance which includes coverage for driving instruction while acting as a driving instructor |
$30,000 | 0 |
Causing traffic obstruction
| |
FINES |
POINTS |
| Crossing from a minor road to a major road obstructing traffic | $8,000 | 3 |
| Crossing road so as to obstruct traffic |
$9,000 | 3 |
| Driving from a place that is not a road onto a road so as to obstruct traffic |
$9,000 | 3 |
| Leaving/abandoning motor vehicle on road causing obstruction |
$5,000 | 0 |
| Obstructing traffic |
$5,000 | 0 |
| Overtaking causing obstruction |
$10,000 | 3 |
| Parking in such a position as to obstruct traffic |
$5,000 | 0 |
Use of electronic devices
| |
FINES |
POINTS |
| Driving instructor holding or using electronic device while providing instructions |
$10,000 | 6 |
| Driving /operating a motor vehicle while using an electronic communication device |
$10,000 | 4 |
| Driving/operating a motor vehicle while using specified electronic device within driver’s line of sight |
$10,000 | 6 |
| Using electronic communication device while driving or operating a vehicle |
$10,000 | 4 |
| Using wireless communication device to view, send or compose an electronic message while driving |
$10,000 | 0 |
School and pedestrian crossings
| |
FINES |
POINTS |
| Failing to observe stop for crossing when required by a school crossing warden |
$12,000 | 6 |
| Failing to remain stationery when stopped by school crossing warden |
$12,000 | 6 |
| Failing to stop or observe provisions of a pedestrian crossing |
$10,000 | 4 |
| Failing to yield right of way at a pedestrian crossing |
$10,000 | 4 |
| Passing or overtaking vehicle stopped at pedestrian crossing |
$10,000 | 4 |
Transporting goods/load
| FINES |
POINTS |
|
| Carrying dangerous goods without the transport emergency cards and manifest or not producing emergency cards and manifest upon being requested by a constable or other authorized person |
$175,000 | 0 |
| Failing to label protective device | $5,000 | 0 |
| Not producing transport emergency cards and manifests upon being requested to by a constable or other authorized person |
$175,000 | 0 |
| Transporting dangerous goods while carrying passengers who are unqualified | $25,000 | 0 |
| Transporting dangerous goods without being certified to do so |
$20,000 | 0 |
| Failing to inform police of route where radioactive or infectious goods will be transported at least five days before transportation |
$25,000 | 0 |
| Operating a motorcycle on a road where any goods carried thereon exceed the prescribed projection |
$10,000 | 0 |
| Operating motor vehicle or trailer where load projects more than 15 cm beyond either side without the use of the required warning device to indicate the length of the projection |
$30,000 | 0 |
| Operating motor vehicle or trailer where load projects more than 30 cm beyond the rear without the use of the required warning device to indicate the width or length of the projection |
$50,000 | 0 |
| Selling, distributing or using a photographic image or video captured by an electronic enforcement device other than for the prosecution of a Part Ⅳ offence |
$50,000 | 0 |
| Sitting or travelling or permitting person to sit or travel with load being transported |
$5,000 | 0 |
| Excess weight 500 -1000 kg | $25,000 | 0 |
| Excess weight 1001 -5000 kg | $100,000 | 0 |
| Failing to comply with requirement to off-load when vehicle is found to be above prescribed laden weight in a manner so as not to obstruct traffic |
$7,000 | 0 |
| Refusal to allow vehicle to be weighed or tested |
$20,000 | 0 |
Traffic signs and lights
| FINES |
POINTS |
|
| Disobeying traffic light or stop sign | $10,000 | 6 |
| Failing to comply with other traffic signs | $6,000 | 3 |
| Failing to comply with traffic signs in construction zone |
$10,000 | 3 |
| Failing to comply with traffic signs in school zone |
$10,000 | 2 |
| Failing to comply with traffic signs or direction of constable before turning into or crossing a major road where roadway is not controlled by traffic light |
$10,000 | 0 |
| Using motor vehicle to damage road sign | $50,000 | 0 |
Licence / Permit / Registration / Certificate
| FINES |
POINTS |
|
| Aid and abet no driver’s licence or permit | $15,000 | 2 |
| Breach of special permit | $30,000 | 0 |
| Failing to comply with terms and conditions of driver’s licence | $6,000 | 2 |
| Failing to comply with terms and conditions of learner’s permit | $6,000 | 2 |
| Failing to comply with terms and conditions of driver’s licence during first twelve (12) months | $6,000 | 2 |
| Failing to have certificate showing exemption from wearing seatbelt |
$5,000 | 0 |
| Failing to produce driver’s licence/permit at constable’s request | $2,000 | 0 |
| Failing to prominently display licence or certified copy at driving school | $10,000 | 0 |
| Fraudulent use of registration plate or decal | $10,000 | 0 |
| Licence disc not affixed | $5,000 | 0 |
| No valid certificate of fitness | $15,000 | 0 |
| Operating a driving school without being licenced |
$50,000 | 0 |
| Obscured licence disc | $5,000 | 0 |
| Obscured registration plate | $5,000 | 0 |
| Operating a motor vehicle that requires a special permit without obtaining such special permit |
$50,000 | 0 |
| Operating a motor vehicle contrary to terms and conditions of licence |
$10,000 | 0 |
| Operating a motor vehicle contrary to terms of licence issued to dealer |
$10,000 | 0 |
| Operating motor vehicle without driver’s licence/permit |
$40,000 | 14 |
| Unlicenced motor vehicle | $10,000 | 0 |
| Unregistered motor vehicle | $10,000 | 0 |
| Using a motor vehicle on the road which is not licenced in accordance with the Act. |
$5,000 | 0 |
| Willfully defacing or destroying document | $10,000 | 0 |
Height, Length & Width of vehicle
|
HEIGHT, LENGTH & WIDTH OF VEHICLE |
FINES |
POINTS
|
|
Operating motor vehicle on a road where the overall height exceeds 4.2 metres from the ground |
$20,000 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Operating motor vehicle specified in Regulation 259(1) if the overall length of the vehicle exceeds that specified in Regulation 32. |
$50,000 |
0 |
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|
|
|
|
Operating motor vehicle specified in Regulation 259(1) if the overall width of the vehicle exceeds that specified in Regulation 33.
|
$50,000 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Operating motor vehicle specified in Regulation 259(1) if the overall width of the vehicle exceeds 3.5 metres. |
$50,000 |
0 |
Towing / Drawing
| FINES |
POINTS |
|
| Drawing more than prescribed number of trailers |
$12,000 | 4 |
| Towing motor vehicle on a toll road by means other than by a tow truck |
$20,000 | 0 |
| Using a car to draw a trailer where the unladen weight equals or exceeds the weight of the drawing vehicle |
$30,000 | 0 |
| Using a motor tractor to draw more than two trailers at one time |
$30,000 | 0 |
| Using a truck to draw more than one trailer at any one time |
$30,000 | 0 |
| Using an articulated motor vehicle to draw a trailer |
$20,000 | 0 |
| Using a motor vehicle to tow a broken down or disabled vehicle in contravention of Regulation 249(1) |
$10,000 | 0 |
Transporting passengers
| FINES |
POINTS |
|
| Carrying passenger on a motorcycle on any other part than the sidecar |
$5,000 | 0 |
| Carrying person otherwise than by sitting astride on motorcycle |
$5,000 | 0 |
| Child without child restraint in motor vehicle | $5,000 | 4 |
| Driver accompanying learner driver having excess alcohol |
$12,000 | 0 |
| Driver failing to cause passenger to wear seatbelt |
$2,000 | 2 |
| Driver not ensuring pillion wears a helmet | $8,000 | 2 |
| More person on motorcycle | $5,000 | 3 |
| Riding on the outside of a vehicle | $5,000 | 0 |
| Travelling on or permitting a person to travel or drive in or on a motor vehicle or trailer while body protrudes beyond the side or rear |
$5,000 | 0 |
Signals
| FINES |
POINTS |
|
| Failing to give appropriate signal when approaching a constable at road junction to indicate which direction driver will go |
$2,500 | 2 |
| Failing to give signal when to stop | $2,500 | 2 |
| Failing to give turning signal (failing to indicate) | $2,500 | 2 |
Operating vehicle / motorcycle
| FINES |
POINTS |
|
| Body protruding | $5000 | 0 |
| Careless driving causing collision | $25,000 | 10 |
| Careless driving where no collision occurs | $11,000 | 4 |
| Causing motor cycle to be driven on one wheel only |
$5,000 | 3 |
| Direction indicator contrary to regulations | $5,000 | 0 |
| Driver overtaking without a clear view | $10,000 | 3 |
| Driving a non-emergency vehicle over a Jamaica Fire Brigade hose laid on the road for the use at a fire without consent of a Constable or other person controlling traffic or Superintendent or other officer of the JFB |
$5,000 | 0 |
| Driving backwards unnecessarily | $3,000 | 4 |
| Driving or attempting to drive motor vehicle across funeral procession |
$5,000 | 2 |
| Driving/riding in a motor vehicle without seatbelt on |
$2,000 | 2 |
| Excess noise | $10,000 | 0 |
| Failing to allow vehicle to be overtaken | $5,000 | 2 |
| Failing to keep left or near off the road when being overtaken |
$5,000 | 3 |
| Failing to keep right or offside of other Traffic whilst overtaking |
$5,000 | 3 |
| Failing to obey constable command | $5,000 | 1 |
| Failing to observe silent zone | $5,000 | 2 |
| Failing to observe stop for crossing when required by a school warden |
$12,000 | 6 |
| Failing to remain stationary when stopped by school crossing warden |
$12,000 | 6 |
| Failing to stop or observe provisions of a pedestrian crossing | $10,000 | 4 |
| Failing to use emergency warning sign | $5,000 | 0 |
| Fitting or using lamp fitted in contravention of the Regulations |
$10,000 | 0 |
| Failing to yield right of way to emergency vehicles |
$25,000 | 0 |
| No helmet | $8,000 | 2 |
| Operating motor vehicle fitted with lamps emitting blue light or capable of emitting blue lights |
$15,000 | 0 |
| Operating motor vehicle fitted with spot lamp enabling beam of light to be deflected in any location |
$10,000 | 0 |
| Operating motor vehicle specified in Regulation 259(1) in time when motor vehicle cannot be clearly discerned at a distance of 150 metres |
$500,000 | 0 |
| Providing services of a driving instructor without being certified by the authority | $40,000 | 0 |
| Unlawful use of siren or similar device | $10,000 | 0 |
| Using a revolving lamp in contravention of Regulation 103 |
$10,000 | 0 |
| Using motor vehicle while on a road that is not a main road to travel backwards longer than necessary for the safety or convenience of the occupants or other road users and traffic on the road |
$5,000 | 0 |
Stopping / Parking
| FINES |
POINTS |
|
| Failing to place motor vehicle not in motion as indicated by Constable or by notice issued by authority |
$5,000 | 0 |
| Failing to place motor vehicle when not in motion in a safe position |
$5,000 | 0 |
| Leaving motor vehicle unattended without stopping engine |
$3,000 | 0 |
| Not parked with near side closed to the left as possible when not in motion |
$5,000 | 0 |
| Pouring petrol with engine running or with naked light |
$4,000 | 0 |
| Stopping or parking a non-emergency vehicle at a point within 3 metres of either side of a fire hydrant without consent of a Constable or the Superintendent or other officer of the Jamaica Fire Brigade |
$5,000 | 0 |
| Stopping within 12 metres of a bus stop sign |
$10,000 | 0 |
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