Legalize / United Kingdom / Road Traffic Act 1988 / History

Reform history

Road Traffic Act 1988

100 versions · 1988-11-15

2026-01-01

Road Traffic Act 1988

View changes Text at this date

2025-11-27

Road Traffic Act 1988

View changes Text at this date

2025-06-10

Road Traffic Act 1988

View changes Text at this date

Changes on 2025-06-10

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@

A person who causes the death of another person by driving a mechanically propelled vehicle dangerously on a road or other public place is guilty of an offence.

#### Stopping officers: offences

#### Appointment of stopping officers

##### 2

@@ -6772,7 +6772,7 @@

#### Causing death by dangerous driving.

#### Causing serious injury by dangerous driving

#### Dangerous driving.

#### Meaning of dangerous driving.

@@ -6846,13 +6846,13 @@

- (4) In determining for the purposes of subsection (2) above the state of a vehicle, regard may be had to anything attached to or carried on or in it and to the manner in which it is attached or carried.

#### Causing serious injury by careless, or inconsiderate, driving

#### Causing death by careless, or inconsiderate, driving

##### 2B

A person who causes the death of another person by driving a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or other public place without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road or place, is guilty of an offence.

#### Causing death by driving: unlicensed... or uninsured drivers

#### Meaning of careless, or inconsiderate, driving

##### 3ZA

@@ -6944,7 +6944,7 @@

- (3) Subsection (1)(b), (ba), (c) and (d) above shall not apply in relation to a person driving a mechanically propelled vehicle other than a motor vehicle.

#### Restriction on carrying children not wearing seat belts in motor vehicles.

#### Seat belts: adults.

##### 6A

@@ -7200,7 +7200,7 @@

- “*restricted road*” means a road that is restricted for the purposes of section 81 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (ignoring any direction under section 82(2)(b) of that Act) or would be so restricted but for a direction under section 82(2)(a) or an order under section 84(1) of that Act.

#### Protective helmets for motor cyclists.

#### Wearing of protective headgear.

##### 19A

@@ -7240,7 +7240,7 @@

### Using vehicle in dangerous condition

#### Cycling when under influence of drink or drugs.

#### Careless, and inconsiderate, cycling.

##### 40A

@@ -7266,7 +7266,7 @@

is guilty of an offence.

#### The Highway Code.

#### Directions to pedestrians.

##### 41B

@@ -7296,7 +7296,7 @@

- (ii) that since that time no person has made any addition to the load.

#### Regulation of construction, weight, equipment and use of vehicles.

#### Using vehicle in dangerous condition etc.

##### 41C

@@ -7370,7 +7370,7 @@

#### Breach of requirement as to brakes, steering-gear or tyres.

#### Breach of requirements as to control of vehicle, mobile telephones etc.

#### Breach of requirement as to speed assessment equipment detection devices

##### 49A

@@ -7456,7 +7456,7 @@

### Prohibition of unfit vehicles

#### Authorisation of use on roads of special vehicles not complying with regulations under section 41.

#### Temporary exemption from application of regulations under section 41.

##### 69A

@@ -7468,7 +7468,7 @@

- (4) In any other case, the prohibition may be imposed with a direction making it irremovable unless and until the vehicle has been inspected in accordance with regulations under section 72 of this Act by a vehicle examiner or authorised constable (within the meaning of section 69 of this Act).

#### Use of records of goods vehicle examinations, etc.

#### Tests of satisfactory condition of goods vehicles and determination of plated weights, etc.

#### Appointment of examiners.

@@ -7740,7 +7740,7 @@

- (14) In this section “relevant date" has the meaning given by section 99A(8) of this Act.

#### Provisions supplementary to sections 69 to 72.

#### Official testing stations.

##### 99C

@@ -8609,7 +8609,7 @@

- “*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 to prevent duplication of licences.

#### Disqualification of persons under age.

##### 192A

@@ -8651,7 +8651,7 @@

- (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.

#### Information about Northern Ireland licence holders

#### Provisions as to Northern Ireland drivers’ licences.

## SCHEDULE 2A

@@ -12067,9 +12067,11 @@

[^key-2371f4680c0f74f1f8b32cdc0a37af39]: [S. 39(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/39/2)[(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/39/3): functions made exercisable concurrently (7.5.2024) by [The North East Mayoral Combined Authority (Establishment and Functions) Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/402)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/402), [arts. 1(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/402/article/1/3), [23](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/402/article/23) (with [art. 9](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/402/article/9))

[^key-34d46abb23f1cca14bb74bcb5a6d2e27]: [S. 101](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/101) modified (10.6.2025) by [S.I. 1999/2864](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/2864), [reg. 7(12)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/2864/regulation/7/12) (as substituted by [The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/608)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/608), [regs. 1(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/608/regulation/1/2), [2](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/608/regulation/2))

#### Inspection of public passenger vehicles and goods vehicles.

#### Exceptions.

#### Drivers of motor vehicles to have driving licences.

#### Revocation of authorisation conferred by Northern Ireland licence because of disability or prospective disability

@@ -12087,13 +12089,13 @@

#### Power to prohibit driving of overloaded goods vehicles.

#### Review of conduct of test.

#### The alternative requirements to those in section 89.

#### Requirements to complete training courses.

#### Conduct of proceedings in certain courts by or against the Secretary of State.

#### The alternative requirements to those in section 89.

#### Compulsory driver training courses.

#### Obtaining licence, or driving, while disqualified.

#### Provisions as to Northern Ireland drivers’ licences.

@@ -12101,7 +12103,7 @@

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

#### Supplementary provisions about test certificates.

#### Obligatory test certificates.

#### Conditions of, and cancellation or suspension of, type approval certificates.

@@ -12115,26 +12117,26 @@

#### Prohibitions conditional on inspection etc.

#### Notification of refusal of insurance on grounds of health.

#### Compulsory driver training courses.

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

#### Prohibition of driving or parking on cycle tracks.

#### Breach of requirement as to weight: goods and passenger vehicles.

#### Appointment of examiners.

#### Remedying defects discovered on roadside test.

#### Removal of prohibitions.

#### Driving with uncorrected defective eyesight.

#### Compulsory driver training courses.

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

#### Leaving vehicles in dangerous positions.

#### Breach of requirement as to weight: goods and passenger vehicles.

#### Appointment of examiners.

#### Remedying defects discovered on roadside test.

#### Removal of prohibitions.

#### Driving with uncorrected defective eyesight.

#### Information relating to disabilities etc.

#### Stopping officers: offences

@@ -12143,283 +12145,283 @@

#### Provisions supplementary to sections 69 to 72.

#### Functions of traffic commissioners.

#### Revocation of licences.

#### Exceptions from requirement of third-party insurance ... .

#### Inspection of public passenger vehicles and goods vehicles.

#### Information relating to disabilities etc

#### Driving instruction for payment to be given only by registered or licensed persons.

#### Users of motor vehicles to be insured ... .

#### Licences for giving instruction so as to obtain practical experience.

#### Provisions as to Northern Ireland drivers’ licences.

#### Offence of keeping vehicle which does not meet insurance requirements

#### Exceptions to section 144A offence

#### Offence of keeping vehicle which does not meet insurance requirements

#### Requirements in respect of securities.

#### Duty to give information as to insurance or security where claim made.

#### Bankruptcy, etc., of insured or secured persons not to affect claims by third parties.

#### Duty to give information as to insurance or security where claim made.

#### False statements and withholding material information.

#### Regulations.

### Stopping officers

##### 66B

- (1) The Secretary of State shall appoint such officers as the Secretary of State considers necessary for the purpose of exercising the powers conferred on them by—

- (a) this Part of this Act;

- (b) the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995;

- (c) the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981;

- (d) the Transport Act 1968;

- (e) any other enactment.

- (2) An officer appointed under this section shall act under the general directions of the Secretary of State.

- (3) The Secretary of State must not appoint a person under this section unless the Secretary of State is satisfied that—

- (a) the person is a suitable person to exercise the powers of a stopping officer;

- (b) the person is capable of effectively exercising those powers; and

- (c) the person has received adequate training for the exercise of those powers.

- (4) A power exercisable by virtue of an appointment under this section is exercisable only by a person wearing such uniform as may be determined or approved for the purposes of this section by the Secretary of State.

- (5) In this Part “stopping officer” means an officer appointed under this section.

##### 66C

- (1) A person commits an offence if the person, with intent to deceive, impersonates a stopping officer or makes any statement or does any act calculated falsely to suggest that the person is a stopping officer.

- (2) A person commits an offence if the person resists or wilfully obstructs a stopping officer who is exercising the powers of a stopping officer.

#### Grants of licences: fitness as regards conduct.

#### Revocation of licences.

#### Exceptions from requirement of third-party insurance ... .

#### Inspection of public passenger vehicles and goods vehicles.

#### Information relating to disabilities etc

#### Exemption of police instructors from prohibition imposed by section 123.

#### Exceptions from requirement of third-party insurance ... .

#### Users of motor vehicles to be insured ... .

#### Revocation of licences.

#### Provisions as to Northern Ireland drivers’ licences.

#### Fixed penalty notices

#### Bankruptcy, etc., of insured ... persons not to affect claims by third parties.

#### Fixed penalty notices

#### Avoidance of certain exceptions to policies or securities.

#### Exceptions to section 151.

#### Bankruptcy, etc., of insured or secured persons not to affect claims by third parties.

#### Provision, etc., of weighbridges.

#### Index to Part VI.

#### Power of constables to obtain names and addresses of drivers and others, and to require production of evidence of insurance or security and test certificates.

#### Tramcars and other guided vehicles: drink and drugs.

#### General index.

#### Bankruptcy, etc., of insured or secured persons not to affect claims by third parties.

#### Regulations.

#### False statements and withholding material information.

#### Power to seize vehicles driven without licence or insurance

#### Tramcars and other guided vehicles: drink and drugs.

#### Provision, etc., of weighbridges.

#### General index.

##### 1A

- (1) A person who causes serious injury to another person by driving a mechanically propelled vehicle dangerously on a road or other public place is guilty of an offence.

- (2) In this section “*serious injury*” means—

- (a) in England and Wales, physical harm which amounts to grievous bodily harm for the purposes of the Offences against the Person Act 1861, and

- (b) in Scotland, severe physical injury.

#### Driving instruction for payment to be given only by registered or licensed persons.

#### Section 144A offence: supplementary

#### Duty to give information as to insurance ... where claim made.

#### Section 144A offence: supplementary

#### Exceptions to section 151.

#### Regulations.

#### Short title, commencement and extent.

#### General index.

##### 97A

- (1) For the purposes of an application under section 97, a person meets the relevant residence requirement if, on the date the application is made—

- (a) in the case of an application that is made by virtue of section 89(1)(ea) (application by holder of Community licence), the applicant is lawfully resident in the United Kingdom and—

- (i) is also normally resident in the United Kingdom, or

- (ii) has been attending a course of study in the United Kingdom during the period of six months ending on that date;

- (b) in the case of an application that is made by virtue of section 89(1)(f) (application by holder of exchangeable licence), the applicant is normally and lawfully resident in Great Britain but has not been so resident for more than the prescribed period;

- (c) in the case of an application that is made by virtue of section 97(2) (application for provisional licence), the applicant is lawfully resident in Great Britain and the Secretary of State is satisfied that the applicant will remain so for not less than 185 days; and

- (d) in any other case, the applicant is lawfully resident in the United Kingdom and—

- (i) is also normally resident in Great Britain, or

- (ii) has been attending a course of study in Great Britain during the period of 6 months ending on that date.

- (2) For the purposes of subsection (1) a person is not lawfully resident in Great Britain or the United Kingdom if the person requires leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom but does not have it.

#### General index.

#### Provisions as to regulations.

#### Driving, or being in charge, when under influence of drink or drugs.

##### 5A

- (1) This section applies where a person (“D”)—

- (a) drives or attempts to drive a motor vehicle on a road or other public place, or

- (b) is in charge of a motor vehicle on a road or other public place,

and there is in D's body a specified controlled drug.

- (2) D is guilty of an offence if the proportion of the drug in D's blood or urine exceeds the specified limit for that drug.

- (3) It is a defence for a person (“D”) charged with an offence under this section to show that—

- (a) the specified controlled drug had been prescribed or supplied to D for medical or dental purposes,

- (b) D took the drug in accordance with any directions given by the person by whom the drug was prescribed or supplied, and with any accompanying instructions (so far as consistent with any such directions) given by the manufacturer or distributor of the drug, and

- (c) D's possession of the drug immediately before taking it was not unlawful under section 5(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (restriction of possession of controlled drugs) because of an exemption in regulations made under section 7 of that Act (authorisation of activities otherwise unlawful under foregoing provisions).

- (4) The defence in subsection (3) is not available if D's actions were—

- (a) contrary to any advice, given by the person by whom the drug was prescribed or supplied, about the amount of time that should elapse between taking the drug and driving a motor vehicle, or

- (b) contrary to any accompanying instructions about that matter (so far as consistent with any such advice) given by the manufacturer or distributor of the drug.

- (5) If evidence is adduced that is sufficient to raise an issue with respect to the defence in subsection (3), the court must assume that the defence is satisfied unless the prosecution proves beyond reasonable doubt that it is not.

- (6) It is a defence for a person (“D”) charged with an offence by virtue of subsection (1)(b) to prove that at the time D is alleged to have committed the offence the circumstances were such that there was no likelihood of D driving the vehicle whilst the proportion of the specified controlled drug in D's blood or urine remained likely to exceed the specified limit for that drug.

- (7) The court may, in determining whether there was such a likelihood, disregard any injury to D and any damage to the vehicle.

- (8) In this section, and in sections 3A, 6C(1), 6D and 10, “*specified*” means specified in regulations made—

- (a) by the Secretary of State, in relation to driving or attempting to drive, or being in charge of a vehicle, in England and Wales;

- (b) by the Scottish Ministers, in relation to driving or attempting to drive, or being in charge of a vehicle, in Scotland.

- (9) A limit specified under subsection (2) may be zero.

##### 3ZC

A person is guilty of an offence under this section if he or she—

- (a) causes the death of another person by driving a motor vehicle on a road, and

- (b) at that time, is committing an offence under section 103(1)(b) of this Act (driving while disqualified).

##### 3ZD

- (1) A person is guilty of an offence under this section if he or she—

- (a) causes serious injury to another person by driving a motor vehicle on a road, and

- (b) at that time, is committing an offence under section 103(1)(b) of this Act (driving while disqualified).

- (2) In this section “*serious injury*” means—

- (a) in England and Wales, physical harm which amounts to grievous bodily harm for the purposes of the Offences against the Person Act 1861, and

- (b) in Scotland, severe physical injury.

##### 133E

- (1) This section applies where a person has been required—

- (a) under section 125(2C) or 129(1B), or

- (b) as mentioned in section 125(5)(a)(ii) or 129(5ZA),

to submit himself for an emergency control assessment.

- (2) At any time before the assessment takes place the Registrar may withdraw the requirement (in which case this Part applies as if the requirement had never been imposed).

- (3) At any time after the assessment takes place the Registrar may direct that the requirement is to be disregarded for the purposes of this Part (and accordingly any condition that the person holds an emergency certificate is to cease to apply).

- (4) Notice of—

- (a) the withdrawal of a requirement under subsection (2), or

- (b) a direction under subsection (3),

must be given to the person on whom the requirement was imposed.

#### Bankruptcy, etc., of insured or secured persons not to affect claims by third parties.

#### Short title, commencement and extent.

#### Approved test assistants

#### Licences for giving instruction so as to obtain practical experience.

#### Exceptions to section 144A offence

#### Section 144A offence: supplementary

#### Interpretation.

#### Exceptions from requirement of third-party insurance or security.

#### Offence of keeping vehicle which does not meet insurance requirements

#### Requirements in respect of securities.

#### Duty to give information as to insurance or security where claim made.

#### Bankruptcy, etc., of insured or secured persons not to affect claims by third parties.

#### Duty to give information as to insurance or security where claim made.

#### False statements and withholding material information.

#### Interpretation.

### Stopping officers

##### 66B

- (1) The Secretary of State shall appoint such officers as the Secretary of State considers necessary for the purpose of exercising the powers conferred on them by—

- (a) this Part of this Act;

- (b) the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995;

- (c) the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981;

- (d) the Transport Act 1968;

- (e) any other enactment.

- (2) An officer appointed under this section shall act under the general directions of the Secretary of State.

- (3) The Secretary of State must not appoint a person under this section unless the Secretary of State is satisfied that—

- (a) the person is a suitable person to exercise the powers of a stopping officer;

- (b) the person is capable of effectively exercising those powers; and

- (c) the person has received adequate training for the exercise of those powers.

- (5) In this Part “stopping officer” means an officer appointed under this section.

##### 66C

- (2) A person commits an offence if the person resists or wilfully obstructs a stopping officer who is exercising the powers of a stopping officer.

#### Grants of licences: fitness as regards conduct.

#### Section 144A offence: supplementary

#### Fixed penalty notices

#### Bankruptcy, etc., of insured ... persons not to affect claims by third parties.

#### Fixed penalty notices

#### Avoidance of certain exceptions to policies or securities.

#### Exceptions to section 151.

#### Bankruptcy, etc., of insured or secured persons not to affect claims by third parties.

#### Short title, commencement and extent.

#### Index to Part VI.

#### Power of constables to obtain names and addresses of drivers and others, and to require production of evidence of insurance or security and test certificates.

#### Tramcars and other guided vehicles: drink and drugs.

#### General index.

#### Bankruptcy, etc., of insured or secured persons not to affect claims by third parties.

#### Regulations.

#### False statements and withholding material information.

#### Power to seize vehicles driven without licence or insurance

#### Tramcars and other guided vehicles: drink and drugs.

#### Provision, etc., of weighbridges.

#### General index.

##### 1A

- (1) A person who causes serious injury to another person by driving a mechanically propelled vehicle dangerously on a road or other public place is guilty of an offence.

- (2) In this section “*serious injury*” means—

- (a) in England and Wales, physical harm which amounts to grievous bodily harm for the purposes of the Offences against the Person Act 1861, and

- (b) in Scotland, severe physical injury.

#### Driving instruction for payment to be given only by registered or licensed persons.

#### Section 144A offence: supplementary

#### Duty to give information as to insurance ... where claim made.

#### Section 144A offence: supplementary

#### Exceptions to section 151.

#### Regulations.

#### Short title, commencement and extent.

#### General index.

##### 97A

- (1) For the purposes of an application under section 97, a person meets the relevant residence requirement if, on the date the application is made—

- (a) in the case of an application that is made by virtue of section 89(1)(ea) (application by holder of Community licence), the applicant is lawfully resident in the United Kingdom and—

- (i) is also normally resident in the United Kingdom, or

- (ii) has been attending a course of study in the United Kingdom during the period of six months ending on that date;

- (d) in any other case, the applicant is lawfully resident in the United Kingdom and—

- (i) is also normally resident in Great Britain, or

- (ii) has been attending a course of study in Great Britain during the period of 6 months ending on that date.

#### General index.

#### Provisions as to regulations.

#### Driving or being in charge of a motor vehicle with alcohol concentration above prescribed limit.