Other Approvals, Exemptions and Permits

Other approvals, exemptions and permits under–

  • prior to 1 June 2018, the Motor Traffic Act 1950 and Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
  • from 1 June 2018, any of the Road Traffic Rules,

are administered by the RTA.

The information on this page is a summary of the provisions as they relate to a person applying for an approval, exemption or permit.

A person wanting an approval, exemption or permit should consult with–

  • for the NCD or the Papua Region (Central, Gulf, Milne Bay, Oro (Northern), and Western (Fly River) Provinces)–
    • the RTA Operations Office, in Kunai Street, Hohola, Port Moresby,
  • for other regions–
    • Highlands Region – RTA Regional Office, Kungtang Street, Mt Hagen
    • Momase Region – RTA Regional Office, 3rd Street, Lae
    • Islands Region – RTA Regional Office, Aidik Street, Kokopo.

Australian Government vehicles

Provision for Australian Government Vehicles to be exempt for the requirement to have PNG number plates is contained in Section 9 of the Motor Traffic Act.

If the RTA is satisfied that–

  1. a motor vehicle is the property of the Government of Australia; and
  2. the number-plates bearing the registration number of the vehicle were issued by the Department of Administrative Services of Australia,

it is not necessary for the vehicle to carry any number-plate in addition to those so issued.

Persons wanting this exemption should present the vehicle, or information about the vehicle, to the RTA Operations Office, Kunai Street, Hohola, Port Moresby.

Permit to drive an unregistered vehicle

Provision for a permit to drive an unregistered motor vehicle is contained in–

  • prior to 1 June 2018, Section 11 of the Motor Traffic Act and Part IV of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
  • from 1 June 2018, Section 22 of the Road Traffic Rules – Registration of Motor Vehicles 2017.

An application for a permit to drive an unregistered motor vehicle must be made to the RTA using this form [downloadable Form 11]. Persons applying for such a permit should present the vehicle, or information about the vehicle, to the RTA Operations Office.

The RTA may, in its discretion–

  1. on payment of the fee prescribed in–
    • prior to 1 June 2018, Schedule 10 [Item 44] of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
    • from 1 June 2018, Schedule 1 [Item 22] of the Road Traffic (Fees and Charges) Regulation 2017; and
  2. on production of third party insurance cover,

grant to a primary producer or motor vehicle dealer who owns an unregistered motor vehicle a permit in the prescribed form to drive the vehicle along a route or routes specified in the permit, for such purposes and during such period as the RTA thinks proper.

A permit to drive an unregistered motor vehicle does not authorize the driving of the vehicle the subject of the permit within a town except for the purpose of–

  1. removal to a workshop for repairs; or
  2. return from a workshop where repairs were carried out; or
  3. delivery on acquisition or on sale or disposal.

Visiting motor vehicle permit

Provision for a permit for a visiting motor vehicle is contained in–

  • prior to 1 June 2018, Section 25 of the of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
  • from 1 June 2018, Section 26 of the Road Traffic Rules – Registration of Motor Vehicles 2017.

Such a permit allows the vehicle to be driven on public streets in Papua New Guinea without the vehicle being registered in Papua New Guinea.

The owner or driver of a visiting motor vehicle must within 48 hours after the vehicle arrives in Papua New Guinea apply for a visiting motor vehicle permit to–

  • for the NCD or the Papua Region (Central, Gulf, Milne Bay, Oro (Northern), and Western (Fly River) Provinces)–
    • the RTA Operations Office,
  • for other regions–
    • Highlands Region – RTA Regional Office, Kungtang Street, Mt Hagen
    • Momase Region – RTA Regional Office, 3rd Street, Lae
    • Islands Region – RTA Regional Office, Aidik Street, Kokopo.

using this form [downloadable Form 12]

The fee for a visiting motor vehicle permit is prescribed in–

  • prior to 1 June 2018, Schedule 10 [Item 45] of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
  • from 1 June 2018, Schedule 1 [Item 25] of the Road Traffic (Fees and Charges) Regulation 2017.

A visiting motor vehicle permit may be issued for a period of not more than six months from the date of the issue of the permit.

If a visiting motor vehicle remains in Papua New Guinea for a period exceeding six months–

  1. it shall be deemed to have ceased to be a visiting motor vehicle; and
  2. the owner or driver of the vehicle must apply immediately for registration of the vehicle before continuing to use it on a public street.

Metered Parking

Provision for metered parking is contained in–

  • prior to 1 June 2018, Part IV of the Motor Traffic Act 1950,
  • from 1 June 2018, Division 3 of the Road Traffic Rules – Road User Rules 2017

The RTA may–

  1. declare a public street or a portion of a public street to be a metered zone; and
  2. cause a traffic sign to be constructed, marked, placed, erected or affixed to indicate the requirements relating to the zone.

A Local-level Government may install, and maintain, parking meters in a metered zone.

A Local-level Government that has installed a parking meter in the area administered by the Local-level Government shall–

  1. collect the money inserted in the meter; and
  2. pay the amounts collected into the general revenue of the Council.

In an area where there is no Local-level Government, or no Local-level Government prepared to install and maintain parking meters in accordance with–

  • prior to 1 June 2018, Part IV of the Motor Traffic Act 1950,
  • from 1 June 2018, Division 3 of the Road Traffic Rules – VRoad User Rules 2017,

parking meters may be installed and maintained in a metered zone by the RTA. The amounts collected from the parking meters thus installed and maintained shall be paid into the Funds of the RTA.

A parking meter must be placed in a metered space defined under–

  • prior to 1 June 2018, Section 12(b)(ii) of the Motor Traffic Act 1950,
  • from 1 June 2018, Section 10(b)(ii) of the Road Traffic Rules – Road User Rules 2017,

in a position approved by the RTA.

A Council that is considering installation of metered parking should first consult with the RTA Operations Office, Kunai Street, Hohola, Port Moresby.

Rotating or flashing lights

Provision for approval of rotating or flashing lights is contained in–

  • prior to 1 June 2018, Section 104 of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
  • from 1 June 2018, Section 59 of the Road Traffic Rules – Vehicle Standards and Compliance 2017.

The RTA may, in respect of–

  1. a particular motor vehicle; or
  2. a class of motor vehicles,

grant approval for that motor vehicle, or class of motor vehicles, as the case may be, to be equipped with one or more lamps capable of displaying a rotating or flashing light.

A person wanting approval for rotating or flashing lights on a particular motor vehicle or class of motor vehicles should apply to the RTA Operations Office, Kunai Street, Hohola, Port Moresby.

Permit to exceed maximum weight and or dimensions

Provision for a permit to exceed the maximum weight and or dimensions is contained in–

  • prior to 1 June 2018, Section 110 of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
  • from 1 June 2018, Section 44 of the Road Traffic Rules – Vehicle Standards and Compliance 2017.

A permit–

  1. may be granted for a single trip or for a specified period; and
  2. must designate the public streets to be traversed; and
  3. must specify the weight and dimensions for the vehicle and load, which must come within the design limits of the streets to which the exemption applies; and
  4. may–
    1. contain such other conditions and provisions; and
    2. require such undertaking or security,
    as the RTA thinks necessary for–
    1. protecting a public street from damage; and
    2. securing the payment to the State of any damage caused to a public street by reason of the use of the vehicle for which the exemption is granted.

A person that needs an indivisible load to be transported that will exceed the legal weights and/or dimensions may apply for a permit to the RTA Operations Office, Kunai Street, Hohola, Port Moresby.

The permit fee is prescribed in–

  • prior to 1 June 2018, Schedule 10 [Item 46] of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
  • from 1 June 2018, Schedule 1 [Item 42] of the Road Traffic (Fees and Charges) Regulation .

Permits will not be granted for loads that are divisible.

Vehicle equipment exemptions and approvals

Exemptions for left-hand drive vehicles and special warning devices are contained in–

  • prior to 1 June 2018, Sections 125F and 125K of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967 respectively,
  • from 1 June 2018, Sections 9 and 14 of the Road Traffic Rules – Vehicle Standards and Compliance 2017.

The RTA may give written authorisation for a left-hand drive motor vehicle and for a special warning device. Persons wanting such authorisation should apply to the RTA Operations Office, Kunai Street, Hohola, Port Moresby.

Ventilation, framework and seats of a passenger carrying motor vehicle are subject to approval by the RTA under–

  • prior to 1 June 2018, Sections 125O and 125S of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
  • from 1 June 2018, Sections 21 and 25(1) of the Road Traffic Rules – Vehicle Standards and Compliance 2017.

Traffic control devices

Traffic control devices (traffic signs, control light signals and traffic markings) are provided for in–

  • prior to 1 June 2018, Part XI of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
  • from 1 June 2018, Division 2 of the Road Traffic Rules – Road User Rules 2017.

Traffic control devices shall be in accordance with PNGS/AS 1742 – 2009 Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, unless approved otherwise by the RTA.

Traffic signs must also be in accordance with PNGS/AS 1743 – 1989 Road Signs Specifications and Standard Alphabets for Road Signs AS1744 – 1975, unless approved otherwise by the RTA.

Except for temporary warning signs, a traffic control device must not be provided or operated on a public street without first obtaining the approval of the RTA or being authorised by the Authority.

The RTA, or a person authorized by it, may–

  1. erect, display or cause to be erected or displayed a traffic sign in accordance with the legislation referred to above; or
  2. remove, or cause to be removed, an existing traffic sign.

The RTA, or a person authorised by it, may, by means of a sign, regulate or restrict the parking or standing of vehicles, or of certain vehicles or classes of vehicles, in a public street or place or a part of a public street or place.

The RTA, or a person authorised by it, may erect or authorize the erection of signs in the form of traffic control light signals for the guidance of the drivers of motor vehicles and pedestrians.

A Council that is considering installation of special signs, traffic control light signals, traffic lines or markings, or signs to regulate parking should first consult with the RTA Operations Office, Kunai Street, Hohola, Port Moresby.

The RTA may delegate its powers of authorisation, approval and installation to the Council.

Towing agricultural machinery

Permission to tow agricultural machinery on a public street within a town is provided for under–

  • prior to 1 June 2018, Section 141 of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
  • from 1 June 2018, Section 36(2) of the Road Traffic Rules – Road User Rules 2017.

A person must not tow agricultural machinery on a public street within a town without the prior written permission of the RTA, which permission is subject to any instructions or directions given by the RTA.

A person wanting such permission should first consult with the RTA Operations Office, Kunai Street, Hohola, Port Moresby.

Exemption for carriage of passengers

An exemption to the limit of eight passengers that may be carried by a motor vehicle is provided for under–

  • prior to 1 June 2018, Section 145 of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
  • from 1 June 2018, Section 37A(4) of the Road Traffic Rules – Road User Rules 2017.

The RTA may, on the application of the operator of a motor vehicle, by written notice, exempt a motor vehicle from the restriction.

A person wanting such an exemption should first consult with the RTA Operations Office, Kunai Street, Hohola, Port Moresby.

Such an exemption may be granted in respect of–

  1. vehicles transporting members of a disciplined force; and
  2. vehicles owned by a fire brigade; and
  3. an ambulance; and
  4. vehicles owned by the State; and
  5. vehicles owned by a Provincial Government; and
  6. vehicles owned by a Local-level Government Special Purposes Authority; and
  7. vehicles owned by a Local-level Government; and
  8. a vehicle used by a business to transport employees if such transportation is provided free of charge; and
  9. a vehicle owned by a person, if that vehicle is used to transport members of that persons immediate family; and
  10. a vehicle owned by a village–
    1. if that vehicle does not ply for hire or reward; and
    2. if that vehicle is used to transport members of the village that owns the vehicle; and
  11. such other vehicle as the RTA may from time to time determine.

For the above purposes “immediate family” includes the owner’s spouse, children, parents and parents of his spouse.

Nothing in this section is to be construed as–

  1. applying to a motor-vehicle in respect of which a current certificate of registration as a motor omnibus, taxicab or private hire car has been issued; and
  2. authorizing the carriage on a motor vehicle of fare paying passengers.

Tip-truck locking device

In accordance with–

  • prior to 1 June 2018, Section 147 of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
  • from 1 June 2018, Section 40(a) of the Road Traffic Rules – Road User Rules 2017,

a person must not drive, or permit a person to drive, on a public street a tip-truck carrying a passenger in the tray unless–

  1. the truck has a locking device, approved by the RTA, fitted to the tipping mechanism; and
  2. that mechanism is kept locked while the passenger is so carried,

A person wanting approval of a tip-truck locking device should first consult with the RTA Operations Office, Kunai Street, Hohola, Port Moresby.

Motor cycle helmets

In accordance with–

  • prior to 1 June 2018, Section 150 of the Motor Traffic Regulation 1967,
  • from 1 June 2018, Section 43(3) of the Road Traffic Rules – Road User Rules 2017,

a motor cycle must not be ridden in a public street unless the driver and any passenger are each wearing, securely fastened on his head, a protective helmet of a type approved by the RTA.

A person wanting approval of a type of motor cycle helmet should first consult with the RTA Operations Office, Kunai Street, Hohola, Port Moresby.