Contents
Article 2. Scope of Application of this Decree
Chapter 2:Fine Rates for Violators of Traffic Regulations
Article 4. Driving without Wearing a Helmet
Article 6. Driving the Wrong Way
Article 7. Driving over the Speed Limit
Article 8. Unauthorized Racing
Article 9. Driving in Parallel
Article 10. Violation of Traffic Lights, Prohibition Signs, and Stop Signs
Article 11. Driving without Respecting the Rights of Others
Article 13. Crashing Public Facilities or Utilities
Article 14. Parking in prohibited areas
Article 15. Stopping on or crossing over a Stop Line or Zebra Crossing
Article 16. Driving in the Wrong Lane and not Keeping Right
Article 17. Incorrect Use of Lights and Signal Systems
Article 18. Overtaking, Reversing, and Incorrect Turning
Article 19. Incorrect Vehicle Towing
Article 20. Walking on and Crossing Streets
Article 21. Keeping Pets and leaving them on a Street
Article 22. Road Construction and Repair or other Activities implemented without following Traffic
Article 23. Vehicle breaks down in the middle of a Street
Article 24. Leaving Construction Materials obstructing Traffic
Article 25. Construction obstructing Traffic
Article 26. Incorrect Using of Traffic Areas
Chapter 3:Rate for Violation of Vehicle Technical Regulations
Article 27. Technical System Adjustments of Vehicles or a Lack of Technical Inspection
Article 28. Sub-standard Vehicle Technical Condition
Chapter 4:Rate for Violation relating to Documents of Drivers and Vehicles
Article 29. Driving with incomplete documents
Article 30. Driving without a driver’s license or related documents
Article 32. Driving a vehicle without a Number Plate, a wrong or expired Number Plate
Chapter 5:Rates of Fines for Violation of Transport Regulations
Article 33. Product or Object Oversized Loading
Article 34. Passenger Overloading
Article 35. Movement of products that obstruct Traffic
Chapter 6:Rate of Fines for Violation of National Road Protection Rules
Article 36. Incorrect Movement of Heavy Machinery Vehicles
Article 37. Causing Damage to Road Structures, Facilities, or Safety Facilities
Article 38. Fouling the National Road
Chapter 7:Measures against Violators of Traffic Rules Causing Accidents and Repeat Violators
Article 39. Measures against violators of traffic rules causing accidents
Article 40. Measures against Repeat Violators
Chapter 8:Management of Seized Vehicles, Fines, and Funds for Maintaining Vehicles
Article 41. Management of Seized Vehicles
Article 42. Management of Fines and Vehicle Maintenance Fees
Article 43. Target of Using Income from Fines
Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Peace Independence Democracy Unity Prosperity
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Prime Minister’s Office No.: 188/PM
Vientiane Capital, dated: 03 July 2007
DECREE
On
Fines and Measures against
Violators of Laws and Regulations on Road Traffic, Land Transportation
and Protection of National Roads
The Prime Minister hereby issues a Decree:
General Provisions
This Decree defines the rate of fines and measures against violators of laws and regulations on road traffic, land transportation and protection of national roads as reference for traffic officers to appropriately and strictly fines and apply measures against any act violating the rules aiming at increasing awareness of all types of vehicle drivers i.e. road users in respecting laws and ensuring road order, convenience, safety and harmony throughout the country as well as collectively protect national assets i.e. people of all ethnic groups.
Article 2. Scope of Application of this Decree
This Decree is enforceable throughout the Lao PDR upon all types of vehicle drivers, road users, parents, entrepreneurs, owners of buildings along the street, and owners of pets who are Lao citizen, alien, foreign, and non-residents and live in the Lao PDR, that violate of laws and regulations on road traffic, land transportation and protection of national roads.
Fine Rates for Violators of Traffic Regulations
Individuals who are under 15 years of age are prohibited from driving motorcycles along national and main roads in Vientiane Capital and provincial and municipal areas. If there is violation, the parents of the violators will be fined 30,000 Kip.
Individuals who are under 18 years of age are prohibited from driving motor tricycles, pushcarts, tractors, or any motor vehicle with four or more wheels. . If there is violation, violators or parents will be fined 50,000 Kip.
Individuals who are under 25 years of age are prohibited from driving any types of bus or truck. Violators will be fined based on types of vehicles as following:
Traffic officers have a duty to seize any vehicles driven by violators who are underage as mentioned above until the owners or parents of the violators give guarantee with the violation recorded as evidence before returning such vehicles.
Article 4. Driving without Wearing a Helmet
Drivers and passengers that drive or travel by motorcycles without wearing helmets will be fined 30,000 Kip per person per time.
Drivers who are drunk or have alcohol in their blood above 0.80g/l (g/l BrAC=80mg/100ml) and drive will be fined based on types of vehicles as following:
Where drivers are still too drunk to control themselves, officers will detain such drivers together with their vehicles and will release them after they are sober.
Article 6. Driving the Wrong Way
Any drivers who drive the wrong way or enter incorrect lanes will be fined based on types of vehicle as following:
Article 7. Driving over the Speed Limit
Any drivers who drive over the speed limit will be fined based on types of vehicle as following:
Article 8. Unauthorized Racing
Two or more drivers who illegally race along the road will be fined based on types of vehicle as following:
Each violation will be recorded in a driving license.
Article 9. Driving in Parallel
Any vehicles travelling along two-way national road shall travel in one lane except when overtaking.
Drivers who drive in two or more parallel lanes will be fined based on types of vehicles as following:
Article 10. Violation of Traffic Lights, Prohibition Signs, and Stop Signs
Drivers who run a red traffic light, prohibition sign, or stop sign will be fined based on types of vehicles as following:
Article 11. Driving without Respecting the Rights of Others
Individuals who drive without respecting the rights of others such as not letting other drivers on the right-hand side go first at a crossroad or t-intersection or not letting other drivers inside a roundabout go first will be fined based on types of vehicles as following:
Individuals who drive carelessly such as using mobile phones, watching TV or videos while driving, or who drive provocatively and dangerously will be fined based on types of vehicles as following:
Article 13. Crashing Public Facilities or Utilities
Individuals who drive and crash traffic islands, curbs, electricity poles, telephone poles, water pipelines, flower vases decorating on roads, traffic signs, or other traffic facilities will be fined based on types of vehicles as following:
Apart from the fines, violators are liable for any damage caused (if any).
Article 14. Parking in prohibited areas
Individuals who park in a prohibited area, an area with a no-parking sign or parking prohibited sign, at inclined road, at a curve, on a bridge head, at the central part of a bridge, at a dead end, double park, park on the left-hand side, or within 15 meters of a crossroads or t-intersection will be fined based on types of vehicles as following:
Article 15. Stopping on or crossing over a Stop Line or Zebra Crossing
Individuals who stop on or cross over a stop line or zebra crossing will be fined based on types of vehicles as following:
Article 16. Driving in the Wrong Lane and not Keeping Right
Riding motorcycles, bicycles, pushcarts, tricycles, motor tricycles, and tractors must be on the designated lane. If there is no specific lane, vehicles must keep right not more than 2 meters from the curb.
Violators will be fined based on types of vehicles as following:
Article 17. Incorrect Use of Lights and Signal Systems
Individuals who dive and incorrectly use lights and signal systems, for example, not turning on the front and back lights when driving during night time or during heavy rain, in foggy or dark environments, or who turn on high beams when driving pass other cars will be fined based on types of vehicles as following:
Article 18. Overtaking, Reversing, and Incorrect Turning
Drivers who overtake other cars, reverse, or make a left or right turn without giving any advance signal, such as a signaling light or hand signal, or do not within signal range of 30 meters will be fined based on types of vehicles as following:
Article 19. Incorrect Vehicle Towing
Drivers who tow, drag, or pull vehicles incorrectly according to official specified technical methods resulting in obstructing and causing danger to traffic will be fined based on types of vehicles as following:
Article 20. Walking on and Crossing Streets
Walking on and crossing streets, especially in urban areas, shall be done as following: walking shall be done properly on a sidewalk or lane provided for pedestrians. Where there is no sidewalk or path, pedestrians are required to keep right. If walking in a group, such group shall be in single file and should not be more than one meter from the curb.
Crossing a street shall be done on a zebra crossing. If there is no zebra crossing, pedestrians shall cross the street at a crossroads or t-intersection. In case of a straight road, pedestrians shall cross the street with care after checking that both left and right-hand directions are clear, or they shall be assisted by a nearby traffic officer. Those who violate the above-mentioned rules will be educated and warned.
Article 21. Keeping Pets and leaving them on a Street
It is prohibited to keep or leave any types of animals on a street, especially in municipal provinces and district areas. Movement of animals along the roads shall be done under supervision and be compliant with traffic rules.
Pet owners who violate the above-mentioned rule will be fined 20,000 Kip per day per a four-legged pet. If a pet needs treatment or is left on a street, officers will keep such pet until it is retrieved by its owner.
In case of a pet causing an accident or damage to road public property, its owner will be liable for damage caused.
Article 22. Road Construction and Repair or other Activities implemented without following Traffic Road Safety Regulations
Road construction and repair, digging for installation or repair of water, electricity, or telephone systems, including placing of construction and repair materials, shall be strictly implemented road safety regulations as following: a warning sign or light with clear all-round visibility within 100 meters shall be installed. Moreover, safety equipment or fences shall be installed around a construction or repair site.
A person who is responsible for a construction and repair activity, violates the regulations will be fined 500,000 Kip. If an accident occurs, the person who is responsible for the construction and repair activity shall be liable for all damages caused.
Article 23. Vehicle breaks down in the middle of a Street
If a vehicle malfunctions or breaks down on the street in an urban or municipal area, the drivers shall move or have the vehicle moved away from traffic lanes. The vehicle shall not be repaired or left in the middle of the street.
A driver or owner of a vehicle that violates will be fined based on types of vehicles as following:
Article 24. Leaving Construction Materials obstructing Traffic
Any individual who leaves construction materials, such as piles of wood, sand, earth, steel and other materials on a street, beside a street, on a sidewalk, or on water drainage which obstruct traffic will be fined 200,000 Kip and such materials shall be removed within one day. If violators fail to remove the materials within one day, they will be fined at an hourly rate of 10,000 Kip/m3.
If an accident occurs because of the materials left on the street, the owner of the materials will be liable for all damage caused.
Article 25. Construction obstructing Traffic
Any individual who constructs buildings, balconies, huts, or other constructions over sidewalks or any permanent or temporary traffic area without permission from relevant organizations will be fined 300,000 Kip and such construction shall be moved or removed within 24 hours. If such a deadline is not met, the fined will be 10,000 Kip per hour.
Article 26. Incorrect Using of Traffic Areas
Any individual who sets up a cart, tent or places any object or any types of product to be sold on a street, path and sidewalk will be fined 50,000 Kip. The owner of an office or premise on the side of a street who allows such activities to be conducted will also be fined 50,000 Kip.
Any individual who conducts a business involving car trading, car repair, restaurant, entertainment and other services by using a street, path and sidewalk as a selling point, repairing cars, food table, or exhibiting products will be fined 200,000 Kip per time. If there are 3 violations, a business license of a violator will be suspended and the shop will be ordered to close down.
Rate for Violation of Vehicle Technical Regulations
Article 27. Technical System Adjustments of Vehicles or a Lack of Technical Inspection
All types of motor vehicles shall have a strict technical inspection according to regulations issued by relevant organizations. Vehicles shall be technically ready ensuring safety, which is certified by legally approved inspection centers.
For vehicles with no technical inspection and in an improper condition based on the manufacturer’s standard because of foundation technical system adjustment without approval from relevant government authorities, the drivers or owners of such vehicles will be fined based on types of vehicles as following:
Article 28. Sub-standard Vehicle Technical Condition
Vehicles that are in a sub-standard technical condition because important spare parts are missing or because modifications are not compliant with technical standard, could disrupt or cause danger to traffic such as a lighting system, back light, no signal light or unclear signal light, too low or too high beams, not properly working brakes, no rear mirrors, no reflective mirrors, an exhaust pipe releasing white or black smoke and producing noise over the limit, trucks with modification, the drivers or owners of such vehicles will be fined based on types of vehicles as following:
For vehicles that adjust their technical specifications and install sound systems causing excessive noise when driving on the street, the drivers of such vehicles will be fined 500,000 Kip.
Rate for Violation relating to Documents of Drivers and Vehicles
Article 29. Driving with incomplete documents
Drivers shall have complete documents as following: driving license, vehicle registration, technical inspection certificate, road fee receipt, and vehicle insurance. Business vehicles shall have all business-related documents.
Any driver lacking any documents mentioned above will be fined based on types of vehicles as following:
Article 30. Driving without a driver’s license or related documents
If drivers forget their licenses or related vehicle documents, such as vehicle registration, road fee receipt, technical inspection certificate, vehicle usage permit or permit to use a business transport vehicle, or specific transport, relevant vehicle insurance, traffic officers may keep any documents and allow drivers to bring the forgotten required documents to present to the officers and then vehicles will be released.
Drivers who do not bring or present their driving licenses or related vehicle documents will be fined based on types of vehicle as following:
If no vehicle registration, officers will keep such vehicles for further legal proceedings in accordance with laws.
Article 31. Driving with an expired License, Vehicle Documents or driving an incorrect type of Vehicle
Drivers with an expired license or vehicle related documents such as a vehicle registration, road fee receipt, technical inspection certificate, relevant vehicle insurance, expired vehicle usage permit or permit to use a business transport vehicle or use vehicles owned by others or drive an incorrect type of vehicle from their approved type of license will be fined based on the following cases:
Drivers who have more than one type of vehicle license will be fined only for the highest type of license.
Apart from fines, traffic officers will retain vehicles with incorrect or fake documents for further legal proceedings.
Article 32. Driving a vehicle without a Number Plate, a wrong or expired Number Plate
Drivers who does not install a number plate or use number plate that is terminated, fake, broken, torn, deleted letter or numbers, unclear, incorrectly installed; uses a testing or temporary plate that has expired more than three months, the drivers will be fined based on types of vehicles as following:
Drivers who use a sub-standard or self-made plate number will be fined double the rate specified above.
Vehicles with fake number plates will be retained for further legal proceedings.
Rates of Fines for Violation of Transport Regulations
Article 33. Product or Object Oversized Loading
All types of transport trucks shall load products or objects based on their correct size, length, width, and height in accordance with regulations issued by the Ministry of Communication, Transport, Post and Construction;
Drivers or owners of vehicles loading oversized products or objects causing traffic obstruction, namely loading of goods that are too long, too wide, or too high, will be fined based on types of vehicles as following:
Fines for overweight trucks are defined in a separate regulation.
Article 34. Passenger Overloading
All types of passenger transport vehicles shall accommodate a number of passengers based on Article 9 of the Law on Land Transport, Article 13 of the Law on Road Traffic, and this Decree.
Bicycles can only accommodate two passengers. Violators will be fined 10,000 Kip per person.
Motorcycles are allowed to accommodate an adult and a child aged below eleven years old. Violators will be fined 20,000 Kip per person.
Motor tricycles, such as Jumbos, are prohibited from taking more than five passengers or loading products exceeding 300 kg. As for Tuk-Tuks, they are prohibited to accommodate more than nine passengers or goods exceeding 550 kg. Drivers or owners who violate the prohibition will be fined 30,000 Kip per excess passenger or 30,000 Kip per overweight trip.
Sedans are permitted to accommodate a maximum of five passengers or six children, excluding a driver. Drivers or owners who violate this rule will be fined 30,000 Kip per an excess passenger.
Minivans are not allowed to accommodate more than 14 passengers and goods exceeding 500 kg. Drivers or owners who violate this rule will be fined 30,000 Kip per an excess passenger. If minivans accommodate passengers on the roof or hanging at the back, drivers or owners will be fined an additional 30,000 Kip per person.
Private pick-up trucks with no seats installed are not allowed to accommodate more than 10 people including a driver. Drivers or owners who violate this rule will be fined 30,000 Kip per an excess passenger.
Long-distance buses are permitted to accommodate passengers based on the number of seats or the number specified in the business license. Passengers are not allowed to sit on the roof or hang at the back. Drivers or owners who violate this rule will be fined 50,000 Kip per person per time.
Provincial or international buses, including provincial minivans, are permitted to store bags on the roof with the height not exceeding 60 cm (sixty) measured from the roof. For large buses with more than 36 seats, the total height are allowed not to be over 4.20 m (four meters and twenty centimeters) measured from the road surface. Drivers or owners who violate this rule will be fined 50,000 Kip per time.
Article 35. Movement of products that obstruct Traffic
Goods transport trucks with carrying capacity over five tonnes shall not obstruct traffic when loading and unloading goods on a street and in urban areas, namely shops, buildings, warehouses, shops located in a marketplace, and construction sites where heavy traffic is expected. It is prohibited to load or unload goods during these official hours:
Violators will be fined 200,000 Kip per time. If there are more than 3 violations, a driving license and business operating license of the shops involved will be terminated and the shop will be ordered to close down.
Rate of Fines for Violation of National Road Protection Rules
Article 36. Incorrect Movement of Heavy Machinery Vehicles
Moving heavy machinery vehicles, especially heavy trucks with tracks, towed trucks or transport vehicles that comply with technical specifications shall be used. Heavy trucks with tracks are prohibited from running on roads as this might cause road damage. Violators will be fined based on types of vehicles as following:
Apart from the fines, drivers or owners of such heavy machinery vehicles will be liable for any damage caused from such violation based on actual cost of repairing the damage.
Article 37. Causing Damage to Road Structures, Facilities, or Safety Facilities
Individuals who damage road structures, facilities, or safety facilities such as road surfaces, bridges, embankments, traffic signs, signal lights, light systems, island in the middle of road, road safety facilities, or other traffic facilities, will be fined 200,000 Kip and compensate for the cost of all damage incurred.
Article 38. Fouling the National Road
Drivers or owners of trucks carrying stone, soil, or sand without proper protection, thereby allowing them to fall on the street, or driving in and out from a construction site leaving dirt on an asphalt or concrete road, will be fined 100,000 Kip per trip per vehicle and are also liable for any costs incurred in cleaning the road.
Pedestrians, drivers, or owners of all types of transport vehicles who litter or allow their passengers to litter plastic bags or other waste on the street will be fined 50,000 Kip per person.
Measures against Violators of Traffic Rules Causing Accidents and Repeat Violators
Article 39. Measures against violators of traffic rules causing accidents
Individuals who violate traffic regulations, Law on Land Transport, Lao on National Roads, Law on Road Traffic and other regulations related to road safety thereby causes an accident will be fined 30,000 Kip and/or subject to legal proceedings.
Individuals who cause an accident and flee will be fined based on types of vehicles as following:
and/or will be subject to legal proceedings.
Article 40. Measures against Repeat Violators
Drivers of all types of vehicles who have violated traffic rules before and commit the same offence for a second time will be fined three times the rate defined in this Decree and their driving license will also be seized for three months.
If there is a third violation for the same offence, violators will be fined three times the rate and have their driving license seized to prevent the violators from driving for a period of two years. After that period, they will be permitted to retake a driving license examination.
Management of Seized Vehicles, Fines, and Funds for Maintaining Vehicles
Article 41. Management of Seized Vehicles
Traffic officers have the right to seize all types of vehicles under the following cases: if there is a serious accident, when parties involved cannot reach agreement, vehicles do not have a vehicle registration and have fake documents. The officers shall keep or store them in a warehouse properly. Owners of the seized vehicles shall pay for the maintenance or daily storage fee until cases are solved based on types of vehicles as following:
During case proceedings, officers shall store the seized vehicles properly. Officers are not allowed to use such vehicles. Officers who violate this will be liable for any damages incurred to the vehicles.
Article 42. Management of Fines and Vehicle Maintenance Fees
All fines collected from violators of this Decree will be transferred to the government budget. The usage of such money for activities defined in Article 43 shall be carried out based on the agreement of the government.
Article 43. Target of Using Income from Fines
All income from fines shall be used on the following activities:
Final Provisions
The Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Communication, Transport, Post and Construction, line ministries, ministerial-equivalent organizations and local authorities are assigned to implement and disseminate this Decree based on their functions and duties.
This Decree is effective after ninety days of the date of signature. Any regulations and provisions that contradict to this Decree shall be canceled.
Prime Minister of the Lao PDR
[Signature and seal]
Bouasone BOUPHA