Legislation
Suriname's road traffic legislation, in plain language
Which rules apply, what has recently changed and when does enforcement begin? Below you will find the framework within which VVI operates.
E-bikes and e-scooters: what applies now and what changes on 1 January 2027?
- Since 1 July 2026, electrically powered cycles and vehicles have fallen under the definition of “motor vehicle”. The standard traffic rules, criminal law enforcement and compulsory liability insurance therefore also apply to e-bikes, e-scooters and electric cars.
- The law requires the owner or keeper to take out and maintain liability insurance. An insurance policy already in force on 1 July 2026 remains valid until it ends in accordance with the WAM.
- The first inspection takes place within six months of entry into force and annually thereafter, in accordance with the standards for electric vehicles set out in the Rijbesluit 1957.
- The insurance and inspection requirements will be enforced after those six months have elapsed: 1 July 2026 plus six months is 1 January 2027.
- You can make the necessary arrangements now: insurance companies are already accepting applications for e-bikes and e-scooters. Inspections take place at the Verkeerstechnische Dienst of the Korps Politie Suriname.
- Not yet established: a minimum age of 16 and the prescribed type of crash helmet are not specified in the law. A working group established by the Minister of Justice and Security is developing these provisions for the Rijbesluit. The VVI will announce them as soon as they have been established.
Source: Wet van 16 juni 2026 (S.B. 2026 no. 52), issued in Paramaribo on 29 June 2026. The technical requirements will be laid down in the Rijbesluit 1957.
Please note: enforcement of the amended Rijwet begins on 1 January 2027
Electric vehicles and e-bikes have been subject to the standard road traffic and insurance rules since 1 July 2026. Following a six-month transition period, these rules will be actively enforced. Ensure that your vehicle is insured in time and meets the requirements.
Rijwet 1971
The Rijwet 1971 is Suriname's principal road traffic law and regulates who may use the roads and under what conditions. The Act of 16 June 2026 further amended the Rijwet 1971 (G.B. 1917 no. 65, last amended by S.B. 2022 no. 33), together with the Wet aansprakelijkheidsverzekering motorrijtuigen (S.B. 1979 no. 33, last amended by S.B. 2006 no. 16).
What the law itself provides (transitional provision, Article II)
- De eigenaar of houder is vanaf de inwerkingtreding verplicht een aansprakelijkheidsverzekering te sluiten en in stand te houden.Unofficial translation: From the date of entry into force, the owner or keeper is required to take out and maintain liability insurance.
- De eerste keuring gebeurt binnen zes maanden na de inwerkingtreding en daarna jaarlijks, tenzij het Rijbesluit 1957 anders bepaalt. De keuringsnormen zijn die van het Rijbesluit 1957 voor elektrische voertuigen.Unofficial translation: The first inspection takes place within six months of entry into force and annually thereafter, unless the Rijbesluit 1957 provides otherwise. The inspection standards are those set out in the Rijbesluit 1957 for electric vehicles.
- Overtreding van de verzekerings- en keuringsplicht wordt gehandhaafd na het verstrijken van die zes maanden. De wet trad in werking op 1 juli 2026; zes maanden later is dat 1 januari 2027.Unofficial translation: The insurance and inspection requirements will be enforced after those six months have elapsed. The law entered into force on 1 July 2026; six months later is 1 January 2027.
- Een aansprakelijkheidsverzekering die al liep, blijft geldig tot zij volgens de WAM eindigt.Unofficial translation: An existing liability insurance policy remains valid until it terminates in accordance with the WAM.
What is still being developed
- A minimum age of 16 years and the prescribed type of crash helmet are not set out in this law. Both matters are being considered by the working group established by the minister to develop the Rijbesluit.
The VVI will announce these requirements once they have been adopted. Until then, do not assume that they already apply.
Please note: enforcement starts on 1 January 2027
The law entered into force on 1 July 2026. The six-month transition period therefore runs until 1 January 2027; from that date, the insurance and inspection requirements will be enforced. Ensure that your electric vehicle or e-bike is insured and inspected before that date.
Rijbesluit 1957
The implementing decree under the Rijwet, setting out the specific traffic rules that road users must observe daily.
Wet Aansprakelijkheidsverzekering Motorrijtuigen (WAM)
The WAM (S.B. 1979 no. 33, last amended by S.B. 2006 no. 16) requires every holder of a motor vehicle to have liability insurance for damage to third parties. The Act of 16 June 2026 also amended this law.
Ontwerpwet Instelling Verkeersautoriteit
This draft law establishes the permanent Verkeersautoriteit that will succeed the VVI. It is a draft: no rights or obligations may yet be derived from it.
This is a draft law: it has not yet been passed and is therefore not law in force. No rights or obligations may be derived from it.
Openbaar Ministerie Enforcement Guidelines (December 2024)
Guidelines setting out how the Openbaar Ministerie acts in cases of serious road traffic offences.
Besluit Instelling Verkeersveiligheidsinstituut
The VVI was established by State Decree of 27 February 2019 (S.B. 2019 no. 23). The Institute is a legal entity and is based in Paramaribo; Article 3 sets out its core duty and specific duties. By State Decree of 14 February 2025 (S.B. 2025 no. 22), the original five-year term of establishment was extended indefinitely; the Institute will be dissolved upon the entry into force of the Wet Instelling Verkeersautoriteit Suriname.
What still needs to be done
Camera-based enforcement
Camera footage cannot yet be used as evidence, because the law requires an offender to be caught in the act. This requires both a legislative amendment and an upgrade of the existing camera poles.
Rijbesluit for electric vehicles
The working group of the Minister of Justice and Security is developing the Rijbesluit. It will set out, among other things, the technical requirements, the minimum age and the prescribed type of safety helmet.
Wet Instelling Verkeersautoriteit
The draft Wet Instelling Verkeersautoriteit is before De Nationale Assemblée and was considered several times during the previous parliamentary term without being finalised.