Geneva Convention on Road Traffic

The Geneva Convention on Road Traffic is an international treaty aimed at promoting the development and safety of international road traffic by establishing uniform rules among contracting parties.

• Adopted: 19 September 1949
• Came into force: 26 March 1952
• Hosted by: United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport, Geneva
• Related Treaty: Protocol on Road Signs and Signals (1949)

Purpose

The convention outlines: - Minimum mechanical and safety equipment requirements - Standardized vehicle identification marks - Legal framework for recognition of cross-border vehicles and drivers

Contracting Parties

• Concluded in Geneva, 1949
• Ratified by: 101 countries
• Supersedes:
  • 1926 International Convention relative to Motor Traffic
  • Convention on the Regulation of Inter-American Automotive Traffic

Many countries have also ratified the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic (1968), which replaces the 1949 Convention between signatories, as per Article 48 of the Vienna Convention.

Cross-Border Vehicles

To drive legally in another contracting country, vehicles must:

1. Display registration numbers at the rear (in Latin characters and Arabic numerals).

   • Must include figures (letters alone are not allowed).
   • Optional: secondary alphabet.

2. Display a distinguishing sign of the country of registration (Annex 4):

   • Black letters on a white elliptical background
   • Placed separately from the registration plate

3. Be road-legal in the country of registration, even if it differs technically from the destination country (e.g., left-hand-drive in a right-hand-drive country).

4. Carry required documents:

   • Vehicle registration certificate
   • Proof of possession if the vehicle isn’t registered to an occupant (e.g., car rental)

Exceptions

• Some countries waive the distinguishing sign requirement, e.g.:
  • European Economic Area (EU plates)
  • USA and Canada (state/province on plate)
  • Vienna Convention signatories

International Driving Permit (IDP)

The Geneva Convention is one of three governing treaties: - 1926 Paris Convention - 1949 Geneva Convention - 1968 Vienna Convention

Annexes:

• Annex 9 – Domestic Driving Permit Model
• Annex 10 – International Driving Permit Model

Key Points (Article 24):

• A valid domestic or international permit allows the driver to operate vehicles in international traffic.
• IDP is valid for one year from the date of issue.
• A Contracting State may require an IDP:
  • If the domestic permit doesn’t match Annex 9 format
  • Or if the issuing country doesn’t require permits

Definitions (as per the Convention)

• "Permissible maximum weight":
  Total weight of the vehicle + maximum allowable load, when road-ready

• "Maximum load":
  Weight of the load as authorized by the registering country’s authority

• "Light trailers":
  Trailers with a maximum weight not exceeding 750 kg (1,650 lbs)

Related Topics

• List of international vehicle registration codes(#)
• International Driving Permit(#)
• Vienna Convention on Road Traffic(#)
• Rules of the road(#)

References

(To be added or linked to relevant international treaty sources)

External Links

• Ratifications (List of Countries)(#)