The Vienna Convention on Road Traffic is an international treaty

Treaty

A treaty is an express agreement under international law entered into by actors in international law, namely sovereign states and international organizations. A treaty may also be known as an agreement, protocol, covenant, convention or exchange of letters, among other terms...

 designed to facilitate international road traffic and to increase road safety by standardising the uniform traffic rules among the contracting parties. This convention was agreed upon at the United Nations Economic and Social Council

United Nations Economic and Social Council

The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations constitutes one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and it is responsible for the coordination of the economic, social and related work of 14 UN specialized agencies, its functional commissions and five regional commissions...

's Conference on Road Traffic (October 7, 1968 - November 8, 1968) and done in Vienna on 8 November 1968. It came into force on 21 May 1977. This conference also produced the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals

Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals

The Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals is an international treaty designed to increase road safety and aid international road traffic by standardising the signing system for road traffic in use internationally.This convention was agreed upon by the United Nations Economic and Social...

.

Cross border vehicles

One of the main benefits of the convention for motorists is the obligation on signatory countries to recognise the legality of vehicles from other signatory countries. The following requirements must be met when driving outside the country of registration:

• Cars must display their registration number at the front and rear, even if legislation in the jurisdiction of registration does not require a front vehicle registration plate
  Vehicle registration plate
  A vehicle registration plate is a metal or plastic plate attached to a motor vehicle or trailer for official identification purposes. The registration identifier is a numeric or alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies the vehicle within the issuing region's database...
  
   on cars. Motorcycles need display their registration number only at the rear. Registration numbers must be displayed in Latin characters
  Latin alphabet
  The Latin alphabet, also called the Roman alphabet, is the most recognized alphabet used in the world today. It evolved from a western variety of the Greek alphabet called the Cumaean alphabet, which was adopted and modified by the Etruscans who ruled early Rome...
  
   and Arabic numerals
  Arabic numerals
  Arabic numerals or Hindu numerals or Hindu-Arabic numerals or Indo-Arabic numerals are the ten digits . They are descended from the Hindu-Arabic numeral system developed by Indian mathematicians, in which a sequence of digits such as "975" is read as a numeral...
  
  . In addition to this, the registration number may optionally be displayed in a different alphabet.
• A distinguishing sign of the country of registration  must be displayed on the rear of the vehicle. The physical requirements for this sign are defined in Annex 3 of the convention, which states that it must comprise black writing on a white oval background and that it must not form part of the vehicle's registration number. In practice, the requirement to display the white oval is mutually waived between some countries, for example between many Europe
  Europe
  Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
  
  an countries (where the white oval may be substituted by a blue strip on the vehicle registration plate
  Vehicle registration plate
  A vehicle registration plate is a metal or plastic plate attached to a motor vehicle or trailer for official identification purposes. The registration identifier is a numeric or alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies the vehicle within the issuing region's database...
  
  ) and between Canada
  Canada
  Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
  
  , the United States
  United States
  The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
  
   and Mexico
  Mexico
  The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
  
   (where the province or state of registration is usually embossed or surface-printed on the vehicle registration plate
  Vehicle registration plate
  A vehicle registration plate is a metal or plastic plate attached to a motor vehicle or trailer for official identification purposes. The registration identifier is a numeric or alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies the vehicle within the issuing region's database...
  
  ).
• The vehicle must meet all technical requirements to be legal for road use in the country of registration. Any conflicting technical requirements (e.g. right-hand-drive or left-hand-drive) in the signatory country where the vehicle is being driven do not apply.
• The driver must carry the vehicle's registration certificate, and if the vehicle is not registered in the name of an occupant of the vehicle (for example a hire car), proof of the driver's right to be in possession of the vehicle.

Mainland China

Mainland China

Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...

 is the most notable example of a non-signatory country. Short-term tourists are not allowed to bring cars into Mainland China at all. All foreign registered vehicles in mainland China

Mainland China

Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...

 must display a mainland Chinese vehicle registration plate

Vehicle registration plate

A vehicle registration plate is a metal or plastic plate attached to a motor vehicle or trailer for official identification purposes. The registration identifier is a numeric or alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies the vehicle within the issuing region's database...

. This requirement even applies to vehicles from China

China

Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...

's special administrative regions of Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...

 and Macau

Macau

Macau , also spelled Macao , is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China...

.

The convention also addresses minimum mechanical and safety equipment needed to be on board and defines an Identification mark (Annex 4) to identify the origin of the vehicle.

Contracting Parties

The Vienna Convention on Road Traffic was done at Vienna on 8 November 1968. Since its entry into force on 21 May 1977, in signatory countries ("Contracting Parties") it replaces previous road traffic Conventions, notably the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, in accordance with Article 48 of the Convention.

Therefore, this list of Contracting Parties is no longer valid, and at least the US, Australia and New Zealand are not contracting parties to the 1968 agreement, meaning that the 1949 agreement still applies there.

• Aden Colony British Guyana (ADN)
• Albania (AL)
• Alderney (GBA)
• Algeria (DZ)
• Argentina (RA)
• Australia (AUS)
• Austria (A)
• Bahamas
• Bahamas (BS)
• Bailwick of Guernsey (GBG)
• Bangladesh (BD)
• Barbados (BDS)
• Belgian Congo (RCB)
• Belgium (B)
• Benin (DY)
• Botswana (RB)
• Brazil (BR)
• British Honduras (BH)
• Brune (BRU)
• Bulgaria (BG)
• Côte d'Ivoire (CI)
• Cambodia (K)
• Cameroons under French mandate
• Canada (CDN)
• Central African Republic (RCA)
• Chile (RCH)
• China (RC)
• Costa Rica (CR)
• Cuba (geen letters)
• Cyprus (CY)
• Czech Republic (CZ)
• Democratic Republic of the Congo (CGO)
• Denmark (DK)
• Dominican Republic (DOM)
• Ecuador (EC)
• Egypt (ET)
• El Salvador (SV)
• Estonia (EST)
• Faroe Islands (FO)
• Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
• Fiji (FJI)
• Finland (SF)
• France including French overseas territories (F)
• Gambia (WAG)
• Georgia (GE)
• Germany (D)
• Ghana (GH)
• Gibraltar (GBZ)
• Greece (GR)
• Grenada (WG)
• Guatemala (GCA)
• Haiti (RH)
• Holy See (V)
• Hong Kong (HK)
• Hungary (H)
• Iceland (IS)
• India (IND)
• Indonesia (RI)
• Iran, Islamic Republic of (IR)
• Ireland (IRL)
• Isle of Man (GBM)
• Israel (IL)
• Italy (I)
• Jamaica (JA)
• Japan (J)
• Jordan (HKJ)
• Kazakhstan (KAZ)
• Kenya (EAK)
• Kyrgyzstan (KS)
• Lao, People’s Democratic Republic (LAO)
• Latvia (LV)
• Lebanon (RL)
• Lesotho (LS)
• Lithuania (LT)
• Luxembourg (L)
• Madagascar (RM)
• Malawi (MW)
• Malaysia (MAL)
• Mali (RMM)
• Malta (M)
• Mauritius (MS)
• Mexico (MEX)
• Monaco
• Mongolia(MNG)
• Morocco (MA)
• Myanmar (BUR)
• Namibia (NAM)
• Netherlands (NL)
• Netherlands Antilles (NA)
• Netherlands New Guinea
• New Zealand (NZ)
• Nicaragua (NIC)
• Niger (NG)
• Nigeria (WAN)
• North Borneo
• Norway (N)
• Okinawa
• Pakistan (PAK)
• Papua New Guinea (PNG)
• Paraguay (PY)
• Peru (PE)
• Philippines (PH)
• Poland (PL)
• Portugal (P) all overseas provinces excluding Macau
• Principality of Andorra (AND)
• Republic of Korea (ROK)
• Romania (R)
• Russian Federation (SU)
• San Marino (RSM)
• Saudi Arabia (KSA)
• Senegal (SN)
• Serbia (SRB)
• Seychelles (SY)
• Sierra Leone (WAL)
• Singapore (SGP)
• Slovakia (SK)
• South Africa (ZA)
• South West Africa
• Southern Rhodesia (RSR)
• Spain including African localities and provinces (E)
• Sri Lanka (CL)
• St. Lucia (WL)
• St. Vincent (WV)
• States of Jersey (GBJ)
• Surinam (SME)
• Swaziland (SD)
• Sweden (S)
• Switzerland (CH)
• Syrian Arab Republic (SYR)
• Tanganyika (EAT)
• Thailand (T)
• The Trust Territory of Western Samoa (WS)
• Togo (TG)
• Trinidad and Tobago (TT)
• Trust Territory of Rwanda/ Urundi (RWA)
• Tunisia (TN)
• Turkey (TR)
• Uganda (EAU)
• Ukraine (UA)
• United Arab Emirates (UAE)
• United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (GB)
• United States of America (USA) all the territories for the international relations of which the United States of America is responsible
• Uruguay (U)
• Venezuela (YV)
• Winward Islands
• Zambia (RNR)
• Zanzibar (EAZ)
• Zimbabwe (ZW)

International conventions on transit transport

The broad objective of these International Conventions and Agreements, the Depositary of which is the Secretary-General of the United Nations, is to facilitate international transport while providing for a high level of safety, security and environmental protection in transport:

• Agreement on the International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs and on the Special Equipment to be used for such Carriage (1970).
• Convention on Customs Treatment of Pool Containers Used in International Transport (1994).
• Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods By Road (1956) and its Protocol (1978).
• Convention concerning Customs Facilities for Touring (1954).
• Customs Convention on Containers (1972).
• Customs Convention on the Temporary Importation of Commercial Road Vehicles (1956).
• Customs Convention on the Temporary Importation of Private Road Vehicles (1954).
• European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road
  European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road
  The European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road, commonly known as ADR , governs transnational transport of hazardous materials.Launched in Geneva on 30 September 1957 under the aegis of the United...
  
   (ADR)(1957) and its Protocol amending articles 1 and 14 (1993).
• Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (1949).
• European Agreement concerning the Work of Crews of Vehicles engaged in International Road Transport (1970).
• International Convention to Facilitate the Crossing of Frontiers for Passengers and Baggage carried by Rail (1952).
• International Convention to Facilitate the Crossing of Frontiers for Goods Carried by Rail (1952).
• International Convention on the Harmonization of Frontier Controls of Goods (1982).
• TIR Convention.

See also

• Geneva Convention on Road Traffic
• International Driving Permit
  International Driving Permit
  An International Driving Permit allows an individual to drive a private motor vehicle in another nation when accompanied by a valid license from their home country. The document is slightly larger than a standard passport and is essentially a multiple language translation of one's own existing...
  
  
• Rules of the road

External links

• Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (Text).
• Distinguishing signs used on vehicles in international traffic (status as at 15 February 2007).