Glossary of Road Traffic Terms (Bahamas)
This glossary explains terms defined in the Road Traffic Act, Ch. 220 of The Bahamas and the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2024.12
Plain-language summaries are provided for easier understanding.
A
Assistant Controller
An official appointed under the Act to help the Controller of Road Traffic.
Authorised Insurer
An insurance company or underwriter registered under the Insurance Act (Ch. 347) to provide motor vehicle insurance.
B
Breath Test
A roadside test used by police to measure a driver’s alcohol level.
C
Careless Driving
Driving without reasonable care or consideration for other road users.
Certificate of Insurance
Proof that a motor vehicle has valid insurance coverage, issued by an authorised insurer.
Commissioner of Police
Head of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, with powers under the Act (e.g., overseeing impounded vehicles).
Controller
The Controller of Road Traffic, the chief official of the Road Traffic Department. Includes interim or Assistant Controllers authorised to act on their behalf.
Covering Note
A temporary insurance document valid for up to 90 days until the full policy certificate is issued.
D
Dangerous Driving
Driving in a way that poses obvious danger to the public.
Department
The Road Traffic Department, established under the Act.
Driver’s Licence
The official licence authorising a person to drive a motor vehicle.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
E
Enactment
Any Act of Parliament, or any order, regulation, or rule made under an Act.
F
Fixed Penalty Notice
A traffic ticket issued for certain offences, allowing payment of a set fine without going to court.
Franchise
A licence granted under the Act to operate passenger transport services (such as omnibuses or tour cars).
Franchisee
A person or company holding a franchise licence.
H
Highway / Road
Any road to which the public has access, including bridges.
Hire or Reward
When a vehicle carries passengers in exchange for payment, even if the payment is indirect (such as part of a hotel package).
I
Impound
The police power to seize and hold a motor vehicle if it is unlicensed or uninsured. Release requires proof of insurance/licence and payment of a fee. Vehicles unclaimed for more than a year may be sold.
Invalid Carriage
A small motor vehicle (weighing no more than 500 pounds unladen) specially designed for use by a person with a physical disability, and used only by that person.
L
Learner’s Permit (Provisional Licence)
A temporary licence allowing a person to learn to drive under specific conditions.
Livery Car
A vehicle with no more than 12 passenger seats, hired out for pay for the exclusive use of the hirer, and driven by a chauffeur (employed by the owner).
M
Minister
The government minister responsible for road traffic matters.
Motorcycle
A motor vehicle with fewer than four wheels and weighing no more than 800 pounds unladen.
Motor Vehicle
Any vehicle propelled mechanically (fully or partly) and designed for use on roads.
Motor Vehicle Licence
The certificate showing that a vehicle is registered/licensed to be on the road.
O
Omnibus
A passenger vehicle with seating for more than 12 passengers, or a vehicle licensed as an omnibus to carry passengers for hire.
Note: A “stretch-out” lawfully used as a tour car for five years after the Act came into force is not considered an omnibus during that time.
Owner
The person who normally keeps and uses a vehicle. For vehicles under hire purchase or rental agreements, the “owner” is the person in possession of it under that agreement.
P
Passenger Vehicle
A motor vehicle mainly designed to carry passengers.
Police Officer
Any police officer, constable, or person with police powers.
Policy of Insurance
A motor insurance contract valid for at least six months. Includes cover notes but excludes very short policies.
Prearranged Journey
A trip arranged in advance by or for the passenger before the day of travel.
Prearranged Transfer
A trip between an airport or dock and a hotel, club, or guest house where the passenger will stay (or has just stayed). It must be arranged before the day of travel or made with a coupon from an overseas travel agency or transport company.
Private Motor Vehicle
Any motor vehicle that is not an omnibus, taxi-cab, tour car, livery car, or self-drive vehicle.
Public
Includes both Bahamian residents and visitors/tourists.
Public Service Vehicle (PSV)
A vehicle designed or adapted to carry passengers that is either:
- an omnibus or stretch-out;
- a motor vehicle seating up to 9 passengers used as a self-drive vehicle; or
- a motor vehicle seating up to 12 passengers used as a livery car, taxi-cab, or tour car.
R
Register
The official records kept by the Controller under the Act. “Registered” means entered in those records.
Regulations
Rules made under the Road Traffic Act.
Road
Any highway or road the public can access. Includes bridges and any part of a road.
S
Seat Belt Offence
Failing to wear a seat belt or to properly secure a child in a car seat.
Self-Drive Vehicle
A motor vehicle with no more than 9 passenger seats, rented out for pay, and driven exclusively by the hirer for their own use.
Stretch-Out
A regular car that has been lengthened (“stretched”) to increase seating capacity to a maximum of 11 passengers.
Supervisor
A supervisor of road traffic appointed under the Act.
T
Taxi-Cab
A motor vehicle with no more than 12 passenger seats that stands or plies for hire (i.e., is available to the public for fares), driven by the owner or their employee.
Tour Car
A motor vehicle with no more than 12 passenger seats that carries passengers for pay on sightseeing tours or prearranged transfers, driven by the owner or their employee.
Note: Stretch-outs in The Bahamas before 30 January 1958 could be used as tour cars for five years after the Act began.
Tour Car Coupon
A prearranged travel voucher issued by an overseas travel agency, used for transfers or tours.
Trailer
A vehicle pulled by a motor vehicle.
Trade Plates
Special registration plates issued to dealers/manufacturers so unlicensed vehicles can be driven temporarily.
Notes on Interpretation
The Act also clarifies:
- A vehicle is considered to carry passengers “for hire or reward” if any payment is made in connection with the ride, no matter who receives it.
- Hotel/guest house guests or club members carried in vehicles owned or operated by those establishments are normally considered carried “for hire or reward.” However, the Controller can allow exceptions (for distinguished visitors or special reasons).
- A payment counts as a fare even if it covers more than just the ride.
- Workers carried by their employer to/from work in an employer’s vehicle are not considered carried for hire or reward.