Road Traffic Act 1988

Type Public General Act
Publication 1988-11-15
Last updated 2026-01-01
State In force
Department Statute Law Database
articles Not indexed
Reform history JSON API
  • (c) where his age at the relevant date exceeds sixty-five years, the expiry of the period of one year beginning with that date.
  • (5) A Community licence holder ... who is authorised by virtue of subsection (1) above to drive in Great Britain motor vehicles of certain classes only, may drive, in Great Britain, motor vehicles of all other classes subject to the same conditions as if he were authorised by a provisional licence to drive motor vehicles of those other classes.
  • (6) Subsections (3) and (4) of section 98 of this Act shall apply in relation to subsection (5) above as they apply in relation to subsection (2) of that section.
  • (7) For the purposes of this Part and Part IV of this Act a Community licence shall not be treated as authorising a person to drive a vehicle of any class if it is not for the time being valid for that purpose in the EEA State in respect of which it was issued.
  • (8) In this section “relevant date", in relation to a Community licence holder who is normally resident in Great Britain, means—
  • (a) in the case where he first became so resident on or before 1 January 1997, that date; and
  • (b) in any other case, the date on which he first became so resident.
99B
  • (1) A Community licence holder who—
  • (a) is normally resident in Great Britain, and
  • (b) is authorised by his Community licence to drive medium-sized or large goods vehicles or passenger-carrying vehicles of any class,

shall, on or before the expiry of the period of twelve months beginning with the relevant date, deliver his Community licence to the Secretary of State and provide him with the information specified in, or required under, subsection (4) below.

  • (2) Subsection (1) above shall not apply to a Community licence holder from whom the Secretary of State has received a qualifying application (within the meaning of section 88(1A) of this Act) for the grant of a licence under this Part of this Act.
  • (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (4) The information referred to in subsection (1) above is—
  • (a) the name and address in Great Britain of the Community licence holder;
  • (b) his date of birth;
  • (c) the classes of vehicle which he is authorised by his Community licence to drive;
  • (d) the period of validity of the Community licence in the EEA State in respect of which it was issued;
  • (e) whether the licence was granted in exchange for a licence issued by a state other than an EEA State; and
  • (f) such other information as the Secretary of State may require for the purposes of the proper exercise of any of his functions under this Part or Part IV of this Act.
  • (5) The Secretary of State—
  • (a) may endorse the driving record of a person who delivers to him a Community licence (whether or not in pursuance of this section) with any part of the information specified in, or required under, subsection (4) above or with information providing a means of ascertaining that information or any part of it; and
  • (b) must return the Community licence to the holder.
  • (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (7) Where the name of a Community licence holder as specified in his Community licence ceases to be correct, he must deliver his Community licence immediately to the Secretary of State and provide him with particulars of the alterations falling to be made in the name on it.
  • (8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (9) On the delivery of a Community licence by any person in pursuance of subsection (7) above, the Secretary of State may endorse the Community licence and that person's driving record with the correct name and must return the Community licence to that person.
  • (10) Where a Community licence holder has not complied with subsection (1) above, the Secretary of State may serve notice in writing on the holder requiring him to deliver his Community licence to the Secretary of State and to provide him with the information specified in, or required under, subsection (4) above within such period (not being less than 28 days from the date of service of the notice) as is specified in the notice.
  • (11) A person who drives a motor vehicle on a road is guilty of an offence if he fails without reasonable excuse—
  • (a) to comply with a requirement contained in a notice served on him in pursuance of subsection (10) above, or
  • (b) to comply with a requirement imposed under subsection ... (7) above.
  • (12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (13) In England and Wales, proceedings for an offence by virtue of subsection (11)(a) above shall not be instituted except by the Secretary of State or by a constable acting with the approval of the Secretary of State.
  • (14) In this section “relevant date" has the meaning given by section 99A(8) of this Act.

Official testing stations.

99C
  • (1) If the Secretary of State is at any time satisfied on inquiry—
  • (a) that a Community licence holder who is normally resident in Great Britain at that time is suffering from a relevant disability, and
  • (b) that the Secretary of State would be required by virtue of section 92(3) of this Act to refuse an application made by him at that time for a licence authorising him to drive a vehicle of the class in respect of which his Community licence was issued or a class corresponding to that class,

the Secretary of State may serve notice in writing requiring the Community licence holder to deliver the Community licence ... immediately to the Secretary of State.

  • (2) If the Secretary of State is at any time satisfied on inquiry that a Community licence holder who is normally resident in Great Britain at that time is suffering from a prospective disability, the Secretary of State may—
  • (a) serve notice in writing requiring the Community licence holder to deliver the Community licence ... immediately to the Secretary of State, and
  • (b) on receipt of the Community licence ... grant to the Community licence holder, free of charge, a licence for a period determined by the Secretary of State under section 99(1)(b) of this Act.
  • (3) Where, in relation to a Community licence holder who is normally resident in Great Britain, the Secretary of State is at any time under a duty to serve notice on him in pursuance of section 92(5) of this Act, the Secretary of State may include in that notice a requirement that the Community licence holder deliver the Community licence ... immediately to the Secretary of State.
  • (4) A person who—
  • (a) is required under, or by virtue of, any of subsections (1) to (3) above to deliver his Community licence ... to the Secretary of State, but
  • (b) without reasonable excuse, fails to do so,

is guilty of an offence.

  • (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (6) Where a Community licence holder is served with a notice in pursuance of any of subsections (1) to (3) above, he shall cease to be authorised by virtue of section 99A(1) of this Act to drive in Great Britain a motor vehicle of any class from such date as may be specified in the notice, not being earlier than the date of service of the notice.

Index to Part II.

99D

Section 94 of this Act shall apply to a Community licence holder who is normally resident in Great Britain as if—

  • (a) in subsection (1), for the words from the beginning to “aware” there were substituted “If a Community licence holder who is authorised by virtue of section 99A(1) of this Act to drive in Great Britain a motor vehicle of any class, is aware immediately before the relevant date (as defined by section 99A(8) of this Act), or becomes aware on or after that date”,
  • (b) for subsection (3A) there were substituted—
  • (3A) A person who is authorised by virtue of section 99A(1) of this Act to drive in Great Britain a motor vehicle of any class and who drives on a road a motor vehicle of that class is guilty of an offence if at any earlier time while he was so authorised he was required by subsection (1) above to notify the Secretary of State but has failed without reasonable excuse to do so.
  • (c) in subsection (4), the words “an applicant for, or”, in both places where they occur, were omitted,
  • (d) in subsection (5), the words “applicant or” and the words from the beginning of paragraph (c) to “provisional licence” were omitted,
  • (e) in subsection (6)(b), the words “applicant or”, in both places where they occur, were omitted,
  • (f) in subsection (7), the words “applicant or” were omitted, and
  • (g) in subsection (8)—
  • (i) for “93” there were substituted “99C”, and
  • (ii) the words “applicant or”, in both places where they occur, were omitted.

Exceptions.

99E
  • (1) This section applies where a Community licence is delivered to the Secretary of State in pursuance of section 99C or 115A of this Act.
  • (2) Subject to subsection (3) below, the Secretary of State must, on or after the expiry of the relevant period, forward the Community licence to the licensing authority in the EEA state in respect of which it was issued and explain to them his reasons for so doing.
  • (3) Where the Secretary of State is satisfied that the Community licence holder has ceased to be normally resident in Great Britain before the expiry of the relevant period, the Secretary of State must return the Community licence to the holder.
  • (4) In this section “relevant period” means—
  • (a) in a case where the Community licence holder appeals under section 100 or 119 of this Act against the requirement to surrender his Community licence, the period ending on the date on which the appeal is finally determined or abandoned, and
  • (b) in any other case, the period of seven months beginning with the date on which the Secretary of State received the Community licence.

Revocation of authorisation conferred by Community licence because of disability or prospective disability.

Disqualification if disqualified in Northern Ireland etc.

102A
  • (1) A person is disqualified for holding or obtaining a licence to drive a motor vehicle of any class so long as he is subject to a relevant disqualification imposed outside Great Britain.
  • (2) For the purposes of this section a person is subject to a relevant disqualification imposed outside Great Britain if, in respect of any offence—
  • (a) a court in Northern Ireland disqualifies him for holding or obtaining a Northern Ireland licence,
  • (b) a court in the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands disqualifies him for holding or obtaining a British external licence, or
  • (c) a court in Gibraltar disqualifies him for holding or obtaining a licence to drive a motor vehicle granted under the law of Gibraltar.
  • (3) A certificate signed by the Secretary of State which states, in respect of a person, any matter relating to the question whether he is subject to a relevant disqualification imposed outside Great Britain shall be evidence (in Scotland, sufficient evidence) of the matter so stated.
  • (4) A certificate stating that matter and purporting to be so signed shall be deemed to be so signed unless the contrary is proved.

Effects of disqualification

Review of conduct of test.

109A
  • (1) The Secretary of State may endorse the driving record of a Northern Ireland licence holder who delivers to him a Northern Ireland licence together with the information specified in, or required under, subsection (3) below with any part of that information.
  • (3) The information referred to in subsection (1) above is—
  • (a) the name and address (whether in Great Britain or Northern Ireland) of the Northern Ireland licence holder;
  • (b) his date of birth;
  • (c) the classes of vehicle which he is authorised by his Northern Ireland licence to drive;
  • (d) the period of validity of the licence;
  • (e) whether it was granted in exchange for a licence issued by a state other than an EEA State; and
  • (f) such other information as the Secretary of State may require for the purposes of the proper exercise of any of his functions under this Part or Part 4 of this Act.
  • (4) Where the name of a Northern Ireland licence holder as specified in his Northern Ireland licence ceases to be correct, he may deliver his Northern Ireland licence immediately to the Secretary of State and provide him with particulars of the alterations falling to be made in the name on it.
  • (5) On the delivery of a Northern Ireland licence by any person in pursuance of subsection (4) above, the Secretary of State may endorse the Northern Ireland licence and that person's driving record with the correct name and must return the Northern Ireland licence to that person.

Tests to check whether defects have been remedied.

109B
  • (1) If the Secretary of State is at any time satisfied on inquiry—
  • (a) that a Northern Ireland licence holder is suffering from a relevant disability, and
  • (b) that he would be required by virtue of section 92(3) of this Act to refuse an application made by the holder at that time for a licence authorising him to drive a vehicle of the class in respect of which his Northern Ireland licence was issued or a class corresponding to that class,

he may serve notice in writing requiring the licence holder to deliver immediately to the Secretary of State his Northern Ireland licence ....

  • (2) If the Secretary of State is satisfied on inquiry that a Northern Ireland licence holder is suffering from a prospective disability, he may—
  • (a) serve notice in writing on the Northern Ireland licence holder requiring him to deliver immediately to the Secretary of State his Northern Ireland licence ..., and
  • (b) on receipt of the Northern Ireland licence ... and of an application made for the purposes of this subsection, grant to the Northern Ireland licence holder, free of charge, a licence for a period determined by the Secretary of State under section 99(1)(b) of this Act.
  • (3) The Secretary of State may require a person to provide—
  • (a) evidence of his name, address, sex and date and place of birth, and
  • (b) a photograph which is a current likeness of him,

before granting a licence to him on an application for the purposes of subsection (2) above.

  • (4) A person who—
  • (a) is required under, or by virtue of, this section to deliver to the Secretary of State his Northern Ireland licence ..., but
  • (b) without reasonable excuse, fails to do so,

is guilty of an offence.

  • (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (6) Where a Northern Ireland licence holder is served with a notice in pursuance of this section, he shall cease to be authorised by virtue of section 109(1) of this Act to drive in Great Britain a motor vehicle of any class from such date as may be specified in the notice, not being earlier than the date of service of the notice.
  • (7) Where a Northern Ireland licence is delivered to the Secretary of State in pursuance of this section, he must—
  • (a) send the licence and its Northern Ireland counterpart to the licensing authority in Northern Ireland, and
  • (b) explain to them his reasons for so doing.
109C

Section 94 of this Act shall apply to a Northern Ireland licence holder who is normally resident in Great Britain as if—

  • (a) in subsection (1), for the words from the beginning to “aware” there were substituted “ If a Northern Ireland licence holder who is authorised by virtue of section 109(1) of this Act to drive in Great Britain a motor vehicle of any class, is aware immediately before the relevant date, or becomes aware on or after that date ”,
  • (b) after that subsection there were inserted—

(1A) For the purposes of subsection (1) “relevant date” means— (a) in the case where the licence holder first became normally resident in Great Britain on or before the date on which section 79 of the Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 comes into force, that date; and (b) in any other case, the date on which he first became so resident.

,

  • (c) for subsection (3A) there were substituted—

(3A) A person who— (a) is authorised by virtue of section 109(1) of this Act to drive in Great Britain a motor vehicle of any class, and (b) drives on a road a motor vehicle of that class, is guilty of an offence if at any earlier time while he was so authorised he was required by subsection (1) above to notify the Secretary of State but has failed without reasonable excuse to do so.

,

  • (d) in subsection (4), the words “an applicant for, or” (in both places) were omitted,
  • (e) in subsection (5), the words “applicant or” and the words from the beginning of paragraph (c) to “provisional licence” were omitted,
  • (f) in subsection (6)(b), the words “applicant or” (in both places) were omitted,
  • (g) in subsection (7), the words “applicant or” were omitted, and
  • (h) in subsection (8)—
  • (i) for “93” there were substituted “ 109B ”, and
  • (ii) the words “applicant or” (in both places) were omitted.

Part IV — Licensing of drivers of large goods vehicles and passenger-carrying vehicles.

Licensing of drivers of large goods vehicles and passenger-carrying vehicles.

Official testing stations.

115A
  • (1) Where, in relation to a holder of a LGV Community licence or PCV Community licence who is normally resident in Great Britain—
  • (a) there exist immediately before the relevant date, or there come into existence on or after that date, such circumstances relating to his conduct as may be prescribed; or
  • (b) his conduct is such as to make him unfit to be authorised by virtue of section 99A(1) of this Act to drive in Great Britain a large goods vehicle or passenger-carrying vehicle (as the case may be),

the Secretary of State must serve notice on the holder requiring him to deliver the Community licence ... immediately to the Secretary of State and it shall be the duty of the holder to comply with that requirement.

  • (2) Where a notice is served in pursuance of subsection (1)(a) or (b) above on the holder of a LGV Community licence or a PCV Community licence, he shall cease to be authorised by virtue of section 99A(1) of this Act to drive in Great Britain a large goods vehicle or passenger-carrying vehicle (as the case may be) from such date as is specified in the notice, not being earlier than the date of service of the notice.
  • (3) Where it appears to the Secretary of State that the conduct of a Community licence holder falls within both paragraph (a) and paragraph (b) of subsection (1) above, the Secretary of State must serve notice on the holder in pursuance of the former paragraph only.
  • (4) Any Community licence holder who fails without reasonable excuse to comply with his duty under subsection (1) above is guilty of an offence.
  • (5) In this section “relevant date", in relation to a Community licence holder who is normally resident in Great Britain, has the same meaning as in section 99A(8) of this Act.
117A
  • (1) Where a notice is served on a Community licence holder in pursuance of section 115A(1)(a) of this Act, the Secretary of State must, in accordance with the regulations made in pursuance of section 115(3), order that person to be disqualified indefinitely or for the period determined in accordance with the regulations.
  • (2) Where a notice is served on a Community licence holder in pursuance of section 115A(1)(b) of this Act, the Secretary of State may—
  • (a) order that person to be disqualified indefinitely or for such period as the Secretary of State thinks fit,
  • (b) if it appears to the Secretary of State that, owing to the conduct of the Community licence holder, it is expedient to require him to comply with the prescribed conditions applicable to provisional licences under Part III of this Act until he passes the prescribed test of competence to drive large goods vehicles or passenger-carrying vehicles of any class, order him to be disqualified for holding or obtaining a full licence until he passes such a test, or
  • (c) on receipt of the Community licence ..., grant to the Community licence holder, , on payment of such fee (if any) as may be prescribed, a large goods vehicle or passenger-carrying vehicle driver’s licence which shall take effect from such date as the Secretary of State may determine.
  • (3) Where, in pursuance of subsection (1) or (2) above, the Secretary of State orders a Community licence holder to be disqualified the Secretary of State must, on receipt of the Community licence ..., grant to the Community licence holder, , on payment of such fee (if any) as may be prescribed, a licence authorising the driving of the classes of vehicle which are unaffected by the disqualification.
  • (3A) The Secretary of State may require a person to provide—
  • (a) evidence of his name, address, sex and date and place of birth, and
  • (b) a photograph which is a current likeness of him,

before issuing a licence to him under subsection (3) above.

  • (4) If, while the holder of a LGV Community licence or a PCV Community licence is disqualified under subsection (1) above, the circumstances prescribed for the purposes of section 115A(1)(a) of this Act cease to exist in his case, the Secretary of State must, on an application made to him for the purpose, remove the disqualification.
  • (5) Where the holder of a LGV Community licence or a PCV Community licence is disqualified under subsection (2)(a) above, the Secretary of State may, in such circumstances as may be prescribed, remove the disqualification.
  • (6) In this section “disqualified”—
  • (a) in a case where notice is served in pursuance of section 115A(1) of this Act on a Community licence holder on the ground of his conduct as a driver, means disqualified for holding or obtaining a licence under Part III of this Act to drive large goods vehicles of the prescribed classes and passenger-carrying vehicles of the prescribed classes; and
  • (b) in a case where notice is served in pursuance of section 115A(1) of this Act on a holder of a PCV Community licence on the ground of his conduct otherwise than as a driver, means disqualified for holding or obtaining a licence under Part III of this Act to drive passenger-carrying vehicles of the prescribed classes.

Part IV — Licensing of drivers of heavy goods vehicles

Index to Part II.

125A
  • (1) A person who—
  • (a) suffers from a relevant disability or a prospective disability,
  • (b) holds a current disabled person’s limited driving licence, and
  • (c) holds a current emergency control certificate,

may apply to the Registrar for his name to be entered in the register as that of a disabled instructor.

  • (2) An application under subsection (1) above shall be made in such manner, and shall be accompanied by such particulars, as the Secretary of State may determine.
  • (3) If, at the time when he makes an application under subsection (1) above, a person is aware—
  • (a) that he is suffering from a relevant or prospective disability which he has not previously disclosed to the Secretary of State in making an application for his current emergency control certificate, or
  • (b) that a relevant or prospective disability from which he has at any time suffered (and which has been previously so disclosed) has become more acute since the granting of his current emergency control certificate,

his application under subsection (1) above must be accompanied by written notification of the nature and extent of his disability.

  • (4) Any person who fails without reasonable excuse to comply with the requirement imposed by subsection (3) above is guilty of an offence.
  • (5) Where a person duly applies for the entry of his name in the register as that of a disabled instructor and satisfies the Registrar that the conditions in subsection (6) below are fulfilled in his case, the Registrar must, subject to section 125B(4) of this Act, on payment of such fee, if any, as may be prescribed by regulations, enter the applicant’s name in the register with an indication that he is a disabled person.
  • (6) The conditions referred to in subsection (5) above are that—
  • (a) the applicant has passed such examination of ability to give instruction in the driving of motor cars (consisting of a written examination, a practical test of ability and fitness to drive and a practical test of ability and fitness to instruct) as may be prescribed by regulations,
  • (b) the conditions set out in paragraphs (c) and (d) of section 125(3) of this Act are fulfilled, and
  • (c) apart from the fulfilment of the preceding conditions, he is a fit and proper person to have his name entered in the register as that of a disabled instructor;

and for the purposes of paragraph (b) above, references in paragraphs (c) and (d) of subsection (3) of section 125 of this Act to the making of an application under subsection (2) of that section shall be read as references to the making of an application under subsection (1) above.

  • (7) Regulations may provide that persons of such class as may be specified in the regulations shall be exempt from the condition mentioned in paragraph (a) of subsection (6) above as regards such part of the examination mentioned in that paragraph as may be so specified.
  • (8) In this Part of this Act—
  • appropriate motor car” means, subject to section 125B(2) of this Act, a motor car equipped with automatic transmission;
  • disability” means a want of physical ability affecting the driving of motor cars; and“relevant disability”, in relation to a person, means any disability which is prescribed in regulations or any other disability likely to cause the driving of a motor car by him to be a source of danger to the public; and“prospective disability”, in relation to a person, means any other disability which, at the material time, is not of such a kind that it is a relevant disability but, by virtue of the intermittent or progressive nature of the disability or otherwise, may become a relevant disability in course of time;
  • disabled person’s limited driving licence” means a licence of one of the following kinds, that is to say—a licence to drive a motor car granted under Part III of this Act (not being a provisional licence) which is limited, by virtue of a notice served under section 92(5)(b) of this Act, to an appropriate motor car; ...a licence to drive a motor car granted under the law in force in Northern Ireland (not being a licence corresponding to a provisional licence) which is similarly limited by virtue of any corresponding provision of that law; and a Community licence authorising the driving of a motor car which is similarly limited by virtue of any corresponding provision of the law under which it was issued ...;
  • emergency control assessment” and “emergency control certificate” mean an assessment and a certificate under section 133A of this Act;
  • modifications”, in relation to a motor car, includes equipment; and
  • registered disabled instructor” means a person whose name is in the register with an indication that he is disabled;

and any reference, in relation to a person, to the class of motor car covered by his disabled person’s limited driving licence is a reference to the class of motor car specified in the notice served on him under section 92(5)(b) of this Act but disregarding any modifications specified in the notice.

125B
  • (1) A person who fulfils the conditions mentioned in section 125A(1)(a) and (b) of this Act may, for the purpose of obtaining an emergency control certificate, apply to undergo an emergency control assessment.
  • (2) Regulations may specify modifications of a motor car as modifications which are to be required for a motor car to be an appropriate motor car for the purposes of this Part of this Act or as modifications which are not to be required for a motor car to be an appropriate motor car for those purposes.
  • (3) If the Secretary of State is satisfied—
  • (a) that the provision of the law of Northern Ireland required by section 125(7) for the operation of that subsection is made by that law, and
  • (b) that that law includes satisfactory provision for purposes corresponding to the purposes of section 125A of this Act,

a person who satisfies the Registrar of the matters mentioned in that subsection and that his name is in the register maintained under that law as that of a disabled instructor shall also be exempt from the conditions mentioned in subsection (1)(c) and (6)(a) of section 125A of this Act.

  • (4) The Registrar may refuse to enter the name of a person in the register under section 125A of this Act as that of a disabled instructor if he is satisfied that that person has at any time refused to comply with a requirement imposed under section 133B(2) of this Act to submit himself for a further emergency control assessment.
  • (5) The Registrar must, on making a decision on an application under section 125A of this Act, give notice in writing of his decision to the applicant which, in the case of a decision to refuse the application, must state the grounds for the refusal.
  • (6) The entry of a person’s name in the register as that of a disabled instructor shall be subject to the condition that, so long as he is a registered disabled instructor, he will, if at any time required to do so by the Registrar—
  • (a) submit himself for a further emergency control assessment on the day (within such period as may be prescribed by regulations) and at the place specified by the Registrar; or
  • (b) submit himself for such test of continued ability and fitness to give instruction in the driving of appropriate motor cars (which may consist of practical and other means of assessment) as may be prescribed by regulations.
  • (7) In considering whether to exercise, in respect of any person, his power under subsection (6)(a) above, the Registrar shall have regard to any recommendation included in that person’s current emergency control certificate as to the period after the end of which he should undergo a further emergency control assessment.

Compensation

131A
  • (1) The Secretary of State must by regulations make a scheme for the making of payments by the Secretary of State to persons in respect of one or more of the following—
  • (a) income losses incurred by them as a result of their registrations or licences being suspended by virtue of section 128(7A) to (7G) or (as the case may be) 130(7) to (13),
  • (b) non-income losses so incurred, and
  • (c) any other matters which relate to either such suspension and are provided for in the scheme.
  • (2) No payments may be made under a scheme in respect of the suspension of a person's registration or licence unless—
  • (a) the suspension is terminated because the Registrar decides not to remove the person's name from the register or (as the case may be) not to revoke the licence,
  • (b) an appeal is successfully concluded against the decision of the Registrar to remove the person's name from the register or (as the case may be) to revoke the licence (whether or not the Registrar's decision has taken effect), or
  • (c) any other circumstances provided for in the scheme apply.
  • (3) Where the decision of the Registrar to remove the person's name from the register or to revoke the licence has taken effect before an appeal against it is successfully concluded, any payments under a scheme may relate only to the suspension.
  • (4) A scheme may, in particular, specify—
  • (a) the description or descriptions of income losses, or
  • (b) the description or descriptions of non-income losses,

in respect of which payments are to be made but need not provide for the making of payments in respect of all income losses or all non-income losses or for the making of payments which correspond to the full amount of any income losses or non-income losses.

  • (5) A scheme may also, in particular—
  • (a) specify the basis or bases of valuation for determining losses or the person who is to decide their valuation,
  • (b) specify the amounts of payments to be made or the basis or bases on which such amounts are to be calculated,
  • (c) provide for the procedure to be followed (including when claims may be made and the provision of information) in respect of claims under the scheme and for the determination of such claims.
  • (6) A person who is aggrieved by a decision of the Secretary of State as to the person's entitlement to payments under a scheme or the amounts of any such payments may appeal to the First-tier Tribunal.
  • (7) On an appeal, the First-tier Tribunal may make such order as it considers appropriate.
  • (8) If the Tribunal considers that any evidence adduced on an appeal had not been adduced to the Secretary of State before the making of the decision to which the appeal relates, the Tribunal may (instead of making an order under subsection (7)) remit the matter to the Secretary of State for the Secretary of State to reconsider the decision.
  • (9) In this section—
  • income losses” means losses of income, and
  • non-income losses” means losses other than income losses.

Disabled persons: emergency control certificates, etc

133A
  • (1) This section applies to any person who, by or under any provision of this Part of this Act,—
  • (a) is authorised to apply to undergo an emergency control assessment, or
  • (b) is required by the Registrar to submit himself for an emergency control assessment.
  • (2) An emergency control assessment is an assessment of whether the person being assessed would be able either—
  • (a) to take control of a motor car of a prescribed class without any modifications, or
  • (b) to take control of a motor car of a prescribed class only with appropriate modifications of such a motor car,

if an emergency arose while he was giving, in such a motor car, instruction in the driving of a motor car.

  • (3) Where a person is authorised to apply to undergo an emergency control assessment, for the application to be duly made, it must be made to the Secretary of State and must include—
  • (a) a declaration by the person making the application, in such form as the Secretary of State may require, stating every relevant disability or prospective disability from which the person is suffering or has at any time (or, if a period is prescribed by regulations, has during that period) suffered; and
  • (b) such other particulars as the Secretary of State may require.
  • (4) Where a person is required to submit himself for an emergency control assessment he must furnish to the Secretary of State such particulars as the Secretary of State may require.
  • (4A) Regulations may require a person who applies to undergo an emergency control assessment (or a part of such an assessment), or is required to submit himself for such an assessment, to pay a fee to the Secretary of State.
  • (5) An emergency control assessment—
  • (a) shall be conducted by a person appointed by the Secretary of State (in this section referred to as “the assessor”); and
  • (b) shall consist of such practical tests and other means of assessment as the Secretary of State may determine.
  • (6) On completing an emergency control assessment of a person, the assessor shall grant him an emergency control certificate if he is satisfied either—
  • (a) that, in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (2) above, that person would be able to take control of a motor car of a prescribed class without any modifications, or
  • (b) that, in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (2) above, that person would be able to take control of a motor car of a prescribed class only with appropriate modifications of such a motor car;

but if the assessor is not so satisfied, he shall refuse to grant a certificate to that person.

  • (7) An emergency control certificate granted to any person—
  • (a) shall specify the class of motor car covered by his disabled person’s limited driving licence in relation to which the assessor is satisfied as mentioned in subsection (6)(a) or (b) above, specifying, in a case falling within paragraph (b) the modifications that are appropriate; and
  • (b) may include a recommendation that that person should undergo a further emergency control assessment after the end of such period as is specified in the certificate;

and shall otherwise be in such form as the Secretary of State may determine.

  • (8) Different modifications for different classes of motor car may be specified under subsection (7)(a) above.
  • (9) The assessor who has assessed any person under this section—
  • (a) if he grants an emergency control certificate, shall—
  • (i) give or send the certificate to that person, and
  • (ii) send a copy of the certificate to the Registrar; and
  • (b) if he refuses to grant such a certificate, shall—
  • (i) give notice in writing to that person of his decision and of the reasons for it, and
  • (ii) send a copy of the notice to the Registrar.
  • (10) In this Part, “modifications”, in relation to a motor car, includes equipment.
133B
  • (1) A person who has undergone an emergency control assessment may not apply to undergo a further assessment until after the end of—
  • (a) the period of six months beginning with the date of his most recent previous assessment, or
  • (b) such other period as may be prescribed by regulations,

unless, by virtue of section 125B(6)(a) of this Act or subsection (2) below, he is required by the Registrar to submit himself for a further assessment.

  • (2) A person whose name is not on the register but who holds a current emergency control certificate shall, if at any time required to do so by the Registrar, submit himself for a further emergency control assessment on the day (within such period as may be prescribed by regulations) and at the place specified by the Registrar.
  • (2A) A person may, for the purpose of obtaining an emergency control certificate, apply to undergo a further emergency control assessment if—
  • (a) he has been required to submit himself for an emergency control assessment—
  • (i) under section 125(2C) or 129(1B), or
  • (ii) as mentioned in section 125(5)(a)(ii) or 129(5ZA),
  • (b) on completing that assessment, the assessor refused to grant him an emergency control certificate, and
  • (c) the application for the further assessment is made in such circumstances as may be prescribed.
  • (3) In considering whether to exercise, in respect of any person, his power under subsection (2) above, the Registrar shall have regard to any recommendation included in that person’s current emergency control certificate as to the period after the end of which he should undergo a further emergency control assessment.
  • (4) A person who—
  • (a) holds a current emergency control certificate, but
  • (b) wishes to undergo a further emergency control assessment with a view to establishing his ability to control any class of motor car not specified in his current certificate,

may, with the consent of the Registrar and subject to subsection (5A), apply to undergo a further assessment; but a person applying to undergo a further assessment under this subsection shall not be required to make the declaration required by section 133A(3)(a) of this Act.

  • (5) An application made under subsection (4) above for the consent of the Registrar shall be made in such manner and be accompanied by such particulars as the Registrar may require.
  • (5A) A person may not apply to undergo a further emergency control assessment under subsection (4) until after the end of—
  • (a) the period of six months beginning with the date of his most recent previous assessment, or
  • (b) such other period as may be prescribed by regulations,

unless the Registrar considers it appropriate for the application to be made at such earlier time as may be specified by the Registrar.

  • (6) If, as a result of undergoing a further emergency control assessment, a person is granted a fresh emergency control certificate the grant of that certificate shall, with effect from the date on which it is notified as taking effect, revoke the previous certificate.
  • (7) If, in the case of an emergency control assessment conducted in respect of a person who holds a current emergency control certificate, the assessor is not satisfied as to either of the matters specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 133A(6), he shall revoke the certificate.
  • (8) Where a person’s emergency control certificate is revoked under subsection (7) above the assessor shall—
  • (a) serve notice in writing on him specifying—
  • (i) the grounds for the revocation, and
  • (ii) the date, not being earlier than the date of service of the notice, on which the revocation is to take effect, and
  • (b) send a copy of the notice to the Registrar.
  • (9) In this section “assessor” has the same meaning as in section 133A of this Act.
133C
  • (1) This section applies to—
  • (a) persons whose names are in the register, and
  • (b) persons who hold licences under section 129 of this Act granted by virtue of subsection (2)(b) of that section.
  • (2) If at any time a person to whom this section applies becomes aware—
  • (a) that he is suffering from a relevant or prospective disability which he has not previously disclosed to the Secretary of State under section 125(2A), 129(1A) or 133A(3) or (4) of this Act, or
  • (b) that a relevant or prospective disability from which he has at any time suffered (and which has been previously so disclosed) has become more acute since his current emergency control certificate was granted,

he must forthwith notify the Registrar in writing of the nature and extent of his disability.

  • (3) Subsection (2) above does not require a person to notify the Registrar if—
  • (a) the disability is one from which he has not previously suffered, and
  • (b) he has reasonable grounds for believing that the duration of the disability will not extend beyond the period of three months beginning with the date on which he first becomes aware that he suffers from it.
  • (4) A person who fails without reasonable excuse to notify the Registrar as required by subsection (2) above is guilty of an offence.
133D
  • (1) This section applies to—
  • (a) persons whose names are in the register, and
  • (b) persons who hold licences under section 129 of this Act,

who have undergone emergency control assessments in accordance with a requirement imposed under section 125(2C) or 129(1B) or as mentioned in section 125(5)(a)(ii) or 129(5ZA)(a).

  • (2) No person to whom this section applies shall give paid instruction in the driving of a motor car unless he is the holder of a current emergency control certificate.
  • (3) No person to whom this section applies shall give, in any unauthorised motor car, paid instruction in the driving of a motor car.
  • (3A) Subsection (3) does not apply if the person to whom the instruction is given holds a full licence granted under Part 3 which is not limited by virtue of a notice served under section 92(5)(b).
  • (4) Where instruction is given in contravention of this section—
  • (a) the person by whom it is given, and
  • (b) if that person is employed by another to give that instruction, that other, as well as that person,

is guilty of an offence.

  • (5) In subsection (3) above “unauthorised motor car”, in relation to any person, means a motor car other than one which falls within the class of motor car specified in his current emergency control certificate and, where modifications are specified in that certificate, is modified in accordance with the specification.
141A
  • (1) Notwithstanding section 185(1) of this Act, in this Part of this Act “motor car" means a motor vehicle (other than an invalid carriage or motor cycle)—
  • (a) which is not constructed or adapted to carry more than nine persons inclusive of the driver, and
  • (b) which has a maximum gross weight not exceeding 3.5 tonnes.
  • (2) In subsection (1) above “maximum gross weight" has the same meaning as in Part III of this Act.

Drivers of motor vehicles to have driving licences.

144A
  • (1) If a motor vehicle registered under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 does not meet the insurance requirements, the person in whose name the vehicle is registered is guilty of an offence.
  • (2) For the purposes of this section a vehicle meets the insurance requirements if—
  • (a) it is covered by a such a policy of insurance ... as complies with the requirements of this Part of this Act, and
  • (b) either of the following conditions is satisfied.
  • (3) The first condition is that the policy ... , or the certificate of insurance ... which relates to it, identifies the vehicle by its registration mark as a vehicle which is covered by the policy ... .
  • (4) The second condition is that the vehicle is covered by the policy ... because—
  • (a) the policy ... covers any vehicle, or any vehicle of a particular description, the owner of which is a person named in the policy ... or in the certificate of insurance ... which relates to it, and
  • (b) the vehicle is owned by that person.
  • (5) For the purposes of this section a vehicle is covered by a policy of insurance ... if the policy of insurance ... is in force in relation to the use of the vehicle.
144B
  • (1) A person (“the registered keeper”) in whose name a vehicle which does not meet the insurance requirements is registered at any particular time (“ the relevant time ”) does not commit an offence under section 144A of this Act at that time if any of the following conditions are satisfied.
  • (2) The first condition is that at the relevant time the vehicle is owned as described—
  • (a) in subsection (1) of section 144 of this Act, or
  • (b) in paragraph (a), (b), (da), (db), (dc) or (g) of subsection (2) of that section,

(whether or not at the relevant time it is being driven as described in that provision).

  • (3) The second condition is that at the relevant time the vehicle is owned with the intention that it should be used as described in paragraph (c), (d), (e) or (f) of section 144(2) of this Act.
  • (4) The third condition is that the registered keeper—
  • (a) is not at the relevant time the person keeping the vehicle, and
  • (b) if previously he was the person keeping the vehicle, he has by the relevant time complied with any requirements under subsection (7)(a) below that he is required to have complied with by the relevant or any earlier time.
  • (5) The fourth condition is that—
  • (a) the registered keeper is at the relevant time the person keeping the vehicle,
  • (b) at the relevant time the vehicle is not used on a road or other public place, and
  • (c) the registered keeper has by the relevant time complied with any requirements under subsection (7)(a) below that he is required to have complied with by the relevant or any earlier time.
  • (6) The fifth condition is that—
  • (a) the vehicle has been stolen before the relevant time,
  • (b) the vehicle has not been recovered by the relevant time, and
  • (c) any requirements under subsection (7)(b) below that, in connection with the theft, are required to have been complied with by the relevant or any earlier time have been complied with by the relevant time.
  • (6A) The sixth condition is that—
  • (a) the registered keeper is at the relevant time the person keeping the vehicle,
  • (b) neither a licence nor a nil licence under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 was in force for the vehicle on 31st January 1998,
  • (c) neither a licence nor a nil licence has been taken out for the vehicle for a period starting after that date, and
  • (d) the vehicle has not been used or kept on a public road after that date.
  • (7) Regulations may make provision—
  • (a) for the purposes of subsection (4)(b) and (5)(c) above, requiring a person in whose name a vehicle is registered to furnish such particulars and make such declarations as may be prescribed, and to do so at such times and in such manner as may be prescribed, and
  • (b) for the purposes of subsection (6)(c) above, as to the persons to whom, the times at which and the manner in which the theft of a vehicle is to be notified.
  • (8) Regulations may make provision amending this section for the purpose of providing for further exceptions to section 144A of this Act (or varying or revoking any such further exceptions).
  • (9) A person accused of an offence under section 144A of this Act is not entitled to the benefit of an exception conferred by or under this section unless evidence is adduced that is sufficient to raise an issue with respect to that exception; but where evidence is so adduced it is for the prosecution to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the exception does not apply.

Revocation of authorisation conferred by Community licence because of disability or prospective disability.

144C
  • (1) Where on any occasion the Secretary of State has reason to believe that a person has committed an offence under section 144A of this Act, the Secretary of State may give the person a notice offering him the opportunity of discharging any liability to conviction for that offence by payment of a fixed penalty to the Secretary of State.
  • (2) Where a person is given a notice under this section in respect of an offence under section 144A of this Act—
  • (a) no proceedings may be instituted for that offence before the end of the period of 21 days following the date of the notice, and
  • (b) he may not be convicted of that offence if he pays the fixed penalty before the end of that period.
  • (3) A notice under this section must give such particulars of the circumstances alleged to constitute the offence as are necessary for giving reasonable information of the offence.
  • (4) A notice under this section must also state—
  • (a) the period during which, by virtue of subsection (2) above, proceedings will not be taken for the offence,
  • (b) the amount of the fixed penalty, and
  • (c) the person to whom and the address at which the fixed penalty may be paid.
  • (5) Without prejudice to payment by any other method, payment of the fixed penalty may be made by pre-paying and posting a letter containing the amount of the penalty (in cash or otherwise) to the person mentioned in subsection (4)(c) above at the address so mentioned.
  • (6) Where a letter is sent in accordance with subsection (5) above payment is to be regarded as having been made at the time at which that letter would be delivered in the ordinary course of post.
  • (7) Regulations may make provision as to any matter incidental to the operation of this section, and in particular—
  • (a) as to the form of a notice under this section,
  • (b) as to the information to be provided in such a notice by virtue of this section, and
  • (c) as to any further information to be provided in a such notice.
  • (8) The fixed penalty payable under this section is, subject to subsection (9) below, £100.
  • (9) Regulations may substitute a different amount for the amount for the time being specified in subsection (8) above.
  • (10) Regulations may make provision for treating a fixed penalty payable under this section as having been paid if a lesser amount is paid before the end of a prescribed period.
  • (11) In any proceedings a certificate which—
  • (a) purports to be signed by or on behalf of the Secretary of State, and
  • (b) states that payment of a fixed penalty was or was not received by a date specified in the certificate,

is evidence of the facts stated.

144D
  • (1) Schedule 2A makes provision about the immobilisation of vehicles as regards which it appears that an offence under section 144A of this Act is being committed and about their removal and disposal.
  • (2) A person authorised by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this subsection may on behalf of the Secretary of State conduct and appear in any proceedings by or against the Secretary of State in connection with the enforcement of an offence under section 144A of this Act or under regulations made under section 160 of this Act by virtue of Schedule 2A to this Act—
  • (a) in England and Wales, in a magistrates' court, and
  • (b) in Scotland, in any court other than the High Court of Justiciary or the Court of Session.

Revocation of authorisation conferred by Community licence because of disability or prospective disability.

Information relating to disabilities etc.

159A
  • (1) Regulations may make provision for and in connection with requiring MIIC to make information available to any prescribed person for the purposes of the exercise of any of that person's functions in connection with the enforcement of an offence under this Part of this Act or under regulations made under section 160 of this Act.
  • (2) In this section—
  • MIIC ” means the Motor Insurers' Information Centre (a company limited by guarantee and incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 on 8th December 1998), and
  • information ” means information held in any form.

Requirement for approval of persons to assist at tests

Return of Community licences delivered to Secretary of State.

162A
  • (1) The Secretary of State may make regulations permitting any person wishing to be accompanied at a relevant test by another person (a “test assistant”) to be so accompanied if—
  • (a) he submits himself for the relevant test in any circumstances in which the Secretary of State considers it appropriate that he should be entitled to be so accompanied, and
  • (b) the test assistant is approved in accordance with regulations under this section to accompany people at relevant tests in such circumstances in order to assist them in undergoing the relevant tests.
  • (2) The circumstances in which the Secretary of State considers it appropriate that a person should be entitled to be accompanied by a test assistant at a relevant test may include, for example, circumstances in which he is likely to have difficulty in hearing, understanding or responding to instructions or questions in the course of the relevant test without assistance.
  • (3) The regulations may make provision in relation to the approval of test assistants and may, in particular, include provision—
  • (a) in relation to the making of applications for approval,
  • (b) for the payment in respect of applications for approval, or of approvals, (or both) of fees of such amounts as are prescribed,
  • (c) in relation to the period for which an approval is to have effect and withdrawing approval,
  • (d) authorising the imposition of conditions on an approval,
  • (e) for an appeal to lie to the First-tier Tribunal against a refusal of an application for approval, the imposition of conditions on an approval or the withdrawal of approval,
  • (f) prescribing circumstances in which an approved test assistant may not act as such,
  • (g) as to the evidencing by persons of their status as approved test assistants, and
  • (h) authorising the Secretary of State to make available (with or without charge) information about approved test assistants.
  • (4) The regulations may make different provision in relation to different cases.
  • (5) The following are relevant tests—
  • (a) tests of competence to drive a motor vehicle prescribed by virtue of section 89(3) of this Act or section 36(5) of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988,
  • (b) examinations of ability and fitness (or continued ability and fitness) to give driving instruction for which provision is made by virtue of section 132 of this Act, and
  • (c) emergency control assessments under section 133A of this Act.
165A
  • (1) Subsection (5) applies if any of the following conditions is satisfied.
  • (2) The first condition is that—
  • (a) a constable in uniform requires, under section 164, a person to produce his licence ... for examination,
  • (b) the person fails to produce them, and
  • (c) the constable has reasonable grounds for believing that a motor vehicle is or was being driven by the person in contravention of section 87(1).
  • (3) The second condition is that—
  • (a) a constable in uniform requires, under section 165, a person to produce evidence that a motor vehicle is not or was not being driven in contravention of section 143,
  • (b) the person fails to produce such evidence, and
  • (c) the constable has reasonable grounds for believing that the vehicle is or was being so driven.
  • (4) The third condition is that—
  • (a) a constable in uniform requires, under section 163, a person driving a motor vehicle to stop the vehicle,
  • (b) the person fails to stop the vehicle, or to stop the vehicle long enough, for the constable to make such lawful enquiries as he considers appropriate, and
  • (c) the constable has reasonable grounds for believing that the vehicle is or was being driven in contravention of section 87(1) or 143.
  • (5) Where this subsection applies, the constable may—
  • (a) seize the vehicle in accordance with subsections (6) and (7) and remove it;
  • (b) enter, for the purpose of exercising a power falling within paragraph (a), any premises (other than a private dwelling house) on which he has reasonable grounds for believing the vehicle to be;
  • (c) use reasonable force, if necessary, in the exercise of any power conferred by paragraph (a) or (b).
  • (6) Before seizing the motor vehicle, the constable must warn the person by whom it appears that the vehicle is or was being driven in contravention of section 87(1) or 143 that he will seize it—
  • (a) in a section 87(1) case, if the person does not produce his licence ... immediately;
  • (b) in a section 143 case, if the person does not provide him immediately with evidence that the vehicle is not or was not being driven in contravention of that section.

But the constable is not required to give such a warning if the circumstances make it impracticable for him to do so.

  • (7) If the constable is unable to seize the vehicle immediately because the person driving the vehicle has failed to stop as requested or has driven off, he may seize it at any time within the period of 24 hours beginning with the time at which the condition in question is first satisfied.
  • (8) The powers conferred on a constable by this section are exercisable only at a time when regulations under section 165B are in force.
  • (9) In this section—
  • (a) a reference to a motor vehicle does not include an invalid carriage;
  • (b) a reference to evidence that a motor vehicle is not or was not being driven in contravention of section 143 is a reference to a document or other evidence within section 165(2)(a);
  • (c) “licence” has the same meaning as in section 164;
  • (d) “private dwelling house” does not include any garage or other structure occupied with the dwelling house, or any land appurtenant to the dwelling house.
165B
  • (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision as to—
  • (a) the removal and retention of motor vehicles seized under section 165A; and
  • (b) the release or disposal of such motor vehicles.
  • (2) Regulations under subsection (1) may, in particular, make provision—
  • (a) for the giving of notice of the seizure of a motor vehicle under section 165A to a person who is the registered keeper, the owner or the driver of that vehicle;
  • (b) for the procedure by which a person who claims to be the registered keeper or the owner of a motor vehicle seized under section 165A may seek to have it released;
  • (c) for requiring the payment, by the registered keeper, owner or driver of the vehicle, of fees, charges or costs in relation to the removal and retention of such a motor vehicle and to any application for its release;
  • (d) as to the circumstances in which a motor vehicle seized under section 165A may be disposed of;
  • (e) as to the destination—
  • (i) of any fees or charges payable in accordance with the regulations;
  • (ii) of the proceeds (if any) arising from the disposal of a motor vehicle seized under section 165A;
  • (f) for the delivery to a local authority, in circumstances prescribed by or determined in accordance with the regulations, of any motor vehicle seized under section 165A.
  • (3) Regulations under subsection (1) must provide that a person who would otherwise be liable to pay any fee or charge under the regulations is not liable to pay it if—
  • (a) he was not driving the motor vehicle at the time in question, and
  • (b) he did not know that the vehicle was being driven at that time, had not consented to its being driven and could not, by the taking of reasonable steps, have prevented it from being driven.
  • (4) Regulations under subsection (1) may make different provision for different cases.
  • (5) In this section—
  • local authority”—in relation to England, means—a county council,the council of a district comprised in an area for which there is no county council,a London borough council,the Common Council of the City of London, orTransport for London;in relation to Wales, means the council of a county or county borough; andin relation to Scotland, means a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994;
  • registered keeper”, in relation to a motor vehicle, means the person in whose name the vehicle is registered under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994.

Disqualification of persons under age.

192A
  • (1) Sections 4 to 11 of this Act shall not apply (to the extent that apart from this subsection they would) to vehicles on any transport system to which Chapter I of Part II of the Transport and Works Act 1992 (offences involving drink or drugs on railways, tramways and certain other guided transport systems) applies.
  • (2) Subject to subsection (1) above, the Secretary of State may by regulations provide that sections 4 to 11 of this Act shall apply to vehicles on a system of guided transport specified in the regulations with such modifications as he considers necessary or expedient.
  • (3) Regulations under subsection (2) above may make different provision for different cases.
  • (4) In this section—
  • guided transport” means transport by vehicles guided by means external to the vehicles (whether or not the vehicles are also capable of being operated in some other way), and
  • vehicle” includes mobile traction unit.
193A
  • (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide that such of the provisions mentioned in subsection (2) below as are specified in the regulations shall not apply, or shall apply with modifications—
  • (a) to all tramcars or to tramcars of any specified class, or
  • (b) to all trolley vehicles or to trolley vehicles of any specified class.
  • (2) The provisions referred to in subsection (1) above are the provisions of—
  • (a) sections 12, 40A to 42, 47, 48, 66, 68 to 73, 75 to 79, 83, 87 to 109, 143 to 165, 168, 170, 171, 178, 190 and 191 of this Act, and
  • (b) sections 1, 2, 7, 8, 22, 25 to 29, 31, ... 34 to 48 91ZA, 91A, 96 and 97 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (provisions requiring warning of prosecution etc and provisions connected with the licensing of drivers).
  • (3) Regulations under this section—
  • (a) may make different provision for different cases,
  • (b) may include such transitional provisions as appear to the Secretary of State to be necessary or expedient, and
  • (c) may make such amendments to any special Act as appear to the Secretary of State to be necessary or expedient in consequence of the regulations or in consequence of the application to any tramcars or trolley vehicles of any of the provisions mentioned in subsection (2) above.
  • (3A) Sections 12A to 12I do not apply to tramcars or to trolley vehicles.
  • (4) In this section “special Act” means a local Act of Parliament passed before the commencement of this section which authorises or regulates the use of tramcars or trolley vehicles.

Provisions as to Northern Ireland drivers’ licences.

SCHEDULE 2A

Immobilisation

1
  • (1) Regulations may make provision with respect to any case where an authorised person has reason to believe that, on or after such date as may be prescribed, an offence under section 144A of this Act is being committed as regards a vehicle which is stationary on a road or other public place.
  • (2) The regulations may provide that the authorised person or a person acting under his direction may—
  • (a) fix an immobilisation device to the vehicle while it remains in the place where it is stationary, or
  • (b) move it from that place to another place on the same or another road or public place and fix an immobilisation device to it in that other place.
  • (3) The regulations may provide that on any occasion when an immobilisation device is fixed to a vehicle in accordance with the regulations the person fixing the device must also fix to the vehicle a notice—
  • (a) indicating that the device has been fixed to the vehicle and warning that no attempt should be made to drive it or otherwise put it in motion until it has been released from the device,
  • (b) specifying the steps to be taken to secure its release, and
  • (c) giving such other information as may be prescribed.
  • (4) The regulations may provide that a vehicle to which an immobilisation device has been fixed in accordance with the regulations—
  • (a) may only be released from the device by or under the direction of an authorised person, but
  • (b) subject to that, must be released from the device if the first and second requirements specified below are met.
  • (5) The first requirement is that such charge in respect of the release as may be prescribed is paid in any manner specified in the immobilisation notice.
  • (6) The second requirement is that, in accordance with instructions specified in the immobilisation notice, there is produced such evidence as may be prescribed establishing—
  • (a) that any person who proposes to drive the vehicle away will not in doing so be guilty of an offence under section 143 of this Act, and
  • (b) that the person in whose name the vehicle is registered under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 is not guilty of an offence under section 144A of this Act as regards the vehicle.
  • (7) The regulations may provide that they do not apply in relation to a vehicle if—
  • (a) a current disabled person's badge is displayed on the vehicle, or
  • (b) such other conditions as may be prescribed are fulfilled,

and “ disabled person's badge ” means a badge issued, or having effect as if issued, under any regulations for the time being in force under section 21 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970.

  • (8) The regulations may provide that an immobilisation notice is not to be removed or interfered with except by or on the authority of a person falling within a prescribed description.

Offences connected with immobilisation

2
  • (1) The regulations may provide that a person contravening provision made under paragraph 1(8) above is guilty of an offence.
  • (2) The regulations may provide that a person who, without being authorised to do so in accordance with provision made under paragraph 1 above, removes or attempts to remove an immobilisation device fixed to a vehicle in accordance with the regulations is guilty of an offence.
  • (3) The regulations may provide that where they would apply in relation to a vehicle but for provision made under paragraph 1(7)(a) above and the vehicle was not, at the time it was stationary, being used—
  • (a) in accordance with regulations under section 21 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970, and
  • (b) in circumstances falling within section 117(1)(b) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (use where a disabled person's concession would be available),

the person in charge of the vehicle at that time is guilty of an offence.

  • (4) The regulations may provide that where—
  • (a) a person makes a declaration with a view to securing the release of a vehicle from an immobilisation device purported to have been fixed in accordance with the regulations,
  • (b) the declaration is that no offence under section 144A of this Act is or was being committed as regards the vehicle, and
  • (c) the declaration is to the person's knowledge either false or in any material respect misleading,

he is guilty of an offence.

Removal and disposal of vehicles

3
  • (1) The regulations may make provision with respect to any case where—
  • (a) an authorised person has reason to believe that an offence under section 144A of this Act is being committed as regards a vehicle which is stationary on a road or other public place, and such conditions as may be prescribed are fulfilled, or
  • (b) an authorised person has reason to believe that such an offence was being committed as regards a vehicle at a time when an immobilisation device which is fixed to the vehicle was fixed to it in accordance with the regulations, and such conditions as may be prescribed are fulfilled.
  • (2) The regulations may provide that the authorised person, or a person acting under his direction, may remove the vehicle and deliver it into the custody of a person—
  • (a) who is identified in accordance with prescribed rules, and
  • (b) who agrees to accept delivery in accordance with arrangements agreed between that person and the Secretary of State,

and the arrangements may include provision as to the payment of a sum to the person into whose custody the vehicle is delivered.

  • (3) The regulations may provide that the person into whose custody the vehicle is delivered may dispose of it, and may in particular make provision as to—
  • (a) the time at which the vehicle may be disposed of, and
  • (b) the manner in which it may be disposed of.
  • (4) The regulations may make provision allowing a person to take possession of the vehicle if—
  • (a) he claims it before it is disposed of, and
  • (b) any prescribed conditions are fulfilled.
  • (5) The regulations may provide for a sum of an amount arrived at under prescribed rules to be paid to a person if—
  • (a) he claims after the vehicle's disposal to be or to have been its owner,
  • (b) the claim is made within a prescribed time of the disposal, and
  • (c) any other prescribed conditions are fulfilled.
  • (6) The regulations may provide that—
  • (a) the Secretary of State, or
  • (b) a person into whose custody the vehicle is delivered under the regulations,

may recover from the vehicle's owner (whether or not a claim is made under provision made under sub-paragraph (4) or (5) above) such charges as may be prescribed in respect of all or any of the following, namely its release, removal, custody and disposal; and “ owner ” means the person who was the owner when the vehicle was removed.

  • (7) The conditions prescribed under sub-paragraph (4) above may include conditions as to—
  • (a) satisfying the person with custody that the claimant is the vehicle's owner,
  • (b) the payment of prescribed charges in respect of the vehicle's release, removal and custody,
  • (c) the production of such evidence as may be prescribed establishing that in driving the vehicle away the claimant will not be guilty of an offence under section 143 of this Act, and
  • (d) the production of such evidence as may be prescribed establishing that the person in whose name the vehicle is registered under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 is not guilty of an offence under section 144A of this Act as regards the vehicle.
  • (8) The regulations may in particular include provision for purposes corresponding to those of sections 101 and 102 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (disposal and charges) subject to such additions, omissions or other modifications as the Secretary of State thinks fit.

Offences as to securing possession of vehicles

4

The regulations may provide that where—

  • (a) a person makes a declaration with a view to securing possession of a vehicle purported to have been delivered into the custody of a person in accordance with provision made under paragraph 3 above,
  • (b) the declaration is that no offence under section 144A of this Act is or was being committed as regards the vehicle, and
  • (c) the declaration is to the person's knowledge either false or in any material respect misleading,

he is guilty of an offence.

Disputes

5

The regulations may make provision about the proceedings to be followed where a dispute occurs as a result of the regulations, and may in particular make provision—

  • (a) for an application to be made to a magistrates' court or (in Scotland) to the sheriff, or
  • (b) for a court to order a sum to be paid by the Secretary of State.

Authorised persons

6

As regards anything falling to be done under the regulations (such as receiving payment of a charge or other sum) the regulations may provide that it may be done—

  • (a) by an authorised person, or
  • (b) by an authorised person or a person acting under his direction.

Application of Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988

7

The regulations may make provision for the application of any or all of sections 1, 6, 11 and 12(1) of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 to an offence for which provision is made by the regulations.

Interpretation

8
  • (1) The regulations may make provision as to the meaning for the purposes of the regulations of “owner” as regards a vehicle.
  • (2) In particular, the regulations may provide that for the purposes of the regulations the owner of a vehicle is taken to be the person in whose name it is then registered under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994.
9
  • (1) The regulations may make provision as to the meaning in the regulations of “authorised person”.
  • (2) In particular, the regulations may provide that—
  • (a) references to an authorised person are to a person authorised by the Secretary of State for the purposes of the regulations,
  • (b) an authorised person may be a local authority or an employee of a local authority or a member of a police force or some other person, and
  • (c) different persons may be authorised for the purposes of different provisions of the regulations.
10

In this Schedule—

  • (a) references to an immobilisation device are to a device or appliance which is an immobilisation device for the purposes of section 104 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (immobilisation of vehicles illegally parked), and
  • (b) references to an immobilisation notice are to a notice fixed to a vehicle in accordance with the regulations.

SCHEDULE 2A

3A

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Editorial notes

[^c13971021]: Ss. 1-2A substituted (1.7.1992) for ss. 1-2 by Road Traffic Act 1991 (c. 40, SIF 107:1), s.1; S.I. 1992/1286, art. 2,Sch.

[^c13971031]: Ss. 1- 2A substituted (1.7.1992) for ss. 1-2 by Road Traffic Act 1991 (c. 40, SIF 107:1), s.1; S.I. 1992/1286, art. 2,Sch.

[^c13971041]: Ss. 1-2A substituted (1.7.1992) for ss. 1-2 by Road Traffic Act 1991 (c. 40, SIF 107:1), s.1; S.I. 1992/1286, art. 2,Sch.

[^c13971051]: S. 3 substituted (1.7.1992) by Road Traffic Act 1991 (c. 40, SIF 107:1), s. 2; S.I. 1992/1286, art. 2,Sch.

[^c13971061]: S. 3A inserted (1.7.1992) by Road Traffic Act 1991 (c. 40, SIF 107:1), s.3; S.I. 1992/1286, art. 2, Sch.

[^c19263371]: S. 3A(1)(d) and preceding word inserted (24.9.2007) by Road Safety Act 2006 (c. 49), ss. 31(2), 61; S.I. 2007/2472, art. 2(i)

[^c19263391]: Words in s. 3A(3) substituted (24.9.2007) by Road Safety Act 2006 (c. 49), ss. 31(3), 61; S.I. 2007/2472, art. 2(i)

[^c19263031]: S. 2B inserted (18.8.2008) by Road Safety Act 2006 (c. 49), ss. 20(1), 61(1) (with s. 61(4)(5)); S.I. 2008/1918, art. 2

[^c19263411]: S. 3ZA inserted (24.9.2007 for certain purposes and otherwise 18.8.2008) by Road Safety Act 2006 (c. 49), ss. 30, 61; S.I. 2007/2472, art. 2(h); S.I. 2008/1918, art. 2

[^c19263441]: S. 3ZB inserted (18.8.2008) by Road Safety Act 2006 (c. 49), ss. 21(1), 61(1) (with s. 61(4)(5)); S.I. 2008/1918, art. 2

[^c13971071]: Words in s. 4(1)(2)(3) substituted (1.7.1992) by Road Traffic Act 1991 (c. 40, SIF 107:1), s. 4; S.I. 1992/1286, art. 2, Sch.

[^c19219191]: S. 4(6)(7) repealed (E.W.) (1.1.2006) and s. 4(8) repealed (1.1.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 111, 174(2), 178, Sch. 7 para. 27(2)(4), Sch. 17 Pt. 2; S.I. 2005/3495, art. 2(1)(m)(u) (subject to art. 2(2))

[^c19115541]: S. 6 applied (with modifications) (29.3.2004 for certain purposes and 30.3.2004 otherwise) by Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 (c. 20), ss. 83(1)(3), 96(1)(3), 120 (with ss. 90, 100); S.I. 2004/827, arts. 2, 3

[^c19117411]: Ss. 6-6E substituted (29.3.2004 for certain purposes and 30.3.2004 otherwise) for s. 6 by Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 (c. 20), ss. 107, 120, Sch. 7 para. 1; S.I. 2004/827, art. 2, 3

[^c19117641]: Ss. 6A-6E applied (with modifications) (29.3.2004 for certain purposes and 30.3.2004 otherwise) by Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 (c. 20), ss. 83(1)(3), 96(1)(3), 120 (with ss. 90, 100); S.I. 2004/827, arts. 2, 3

[^c19117661]: Ss. 6A-6E applied (with modifications) (29.3.2004 for certain purposes and 30.3.2004 otherwise) by Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 (c. 20), ss. 83(1)(3), 96(1)(3), 120 (with ss. 90, 100); S.I. 2004/827, arts. 2, 3

[^c19117671]: Ss. 6A-6E applied (with modifications) (29.3.2004 for certain purposes and 30.3.2004 otherwise) by Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 (c. 20), ss. 83(1)(3), 96(1)(3), 120 (with ss. 90, 100); S.I. 2004/827, arts. 2, 3

[^c19117681]: Ss. 6A-6E applied (with modifications) (29.3.2004 for certain purposes and 30.3.2004 otherwise) by Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 (c. 20), ss. 83(1)(3), 96(1)(3), 120 (with ss. 90, 100); S.I. 2004/827, arts. 2, 3

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