LegalizeReform history
Road Traffic Act 1988
100 versions
· 1988-11-15
2026-01-01
Road Traffic Act 1988
2025-11-27
Road Traffic Act 1988
2025-06-10
Road Traffic Act 1988
2024-05-07
Road Traffic Act 1988
2024-03-21
Road Traffic Act 1988
2024-01-01
Road Traffic Act 1988
2023-12-26
Road Traffic Act 1988
2023-12-20
Road Traffic Act 1988
2023-12-01
Road Traffic Act 1988
2023-05-31
Road Traffic Act 1988
2022-12-31
Road Traffic Act 1988
2022-07-20
Road Traffic Act 1988
2022-06-28
Road Traffic Act 1988
2021-08-09
Road Traffic Act 1988
2021-05-10
Road Traffic Act 1988
2020-12-31
Road Traffic Act 1988
2020-11-02
Road Traffic Act 1988
2020-09-01
Road Traffic Act 1988
2020-07-22
Road Traffic Act 1988
2019-11-01
Road Traffic Act 1988
2019-04-17
Road Traffic Act 1988
2018-05-20
Road Traffic Act 1988
2018-04-01
Road Traffic Act 1988
2018-01-25
Road Traffic Act 1988
2017-05-08
Road Traffic Act 1988
2017-01-31
Road Traffic Act 1988
2016-12-31
Road Traffic Act 1988
2016-12-23
Road Traffic Act 1988
2016-12-09
Road Traffic Act 1988
2016-08-12
Road Traffic Act 1988
2016-05-23
Road Traffic Act 1988
2016-03-02
Road Traffic Act 1988
2016-01-04
Road Traffic Act 1988
2015-06-08
Road Traffic Act 1988
2015-05-26
Road Traffic Act 1988
2015-04-12
Road Traffic Act 1988
2015-03-26
Road Traffic Act 1988
2014-12-29
Road Traffic Act 1988
2014-12-05
Road Traffic Act 1988
2013-07-03
Road Traffic Act 1988
2013-04-01
Road Traffic Act 1988
2013-01-19
Road Traffic Act 1988
2012-07-06
Road Traffic Act 1988
2012-06-08
Road Traffic Act 1988
2012-04-20
Road Traffic Act 1988
2012-01-16
Road Traffic Act 1988
2011-08-05
Road Traffic Act 1988
2011-04-22
Road Traffic Act 1988
2011-03-30
Road Traffic Act 1988
2011-02-04
Road Traffic Act 1988
2010-04-30
Road Traffic Act 1988
2010-04-23
Road Traffic Act 1988
2010-01-28
Road Traffic Act 1988
2010-01-12
Road Traffic Act 1988
2009-12-17
Road Traffic Act 1988
2009-11-12
Road Traffic Act 1988
2009-10-31
Road Traffic Act 1988
2009-10-01
Road Traffic Act 1988
2009-09-01
Road Traffic Act 1988
2009-04-29
Road Traffic Act 1988
2009-04-24
Road Traffic Act 1988
2009-04-01
Road Traffic Act 1988
2009-03-28
Road Traffic Act 1988
2009-01-05
Road Traffic Act 1988
2008-08-18
Road Traffic Act 1988
2008-05-26
Road Traffic Act 1988
2008-04-01
Road Traffic Act 1988
2007-09-24
Road Traffic Act 1988
2007-06-11
Road Traffic Act 1988
2007-03-01
Road Traffic Act 1988
2007-02-27
Road Traffic Act 1988
2007-01-29
Road Traffic Act 1988
2007-01-08
Road Traffic Act 1988
Changes on 2007-01-08
@@ -988,7 +988,13 @@
##### 40
The Secretary of State may, with the approval of the Treasury, make out of monies provided by Parliament contributions towards the cost of measures for promoting road safety, being measures taken by authorities or bodies other than local authorities (within the meaning of section 39 of this Act) or by other authorities or bodies.
- (1) A national transport authority may make payments to any local authority or any other authority or body for meeting the whole or part of the capital or running costs of any measures for promoting road safety.
- (2) A “*national transport authority*” means—
- (a) the Secretary of State acting with the approval of the Treasury, or
- (b) the National Assembly for Wales.
## Part II — Construction and Use of Vehicles and Equipment
@@ -6214,13 +6220,13 @@
- (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.
#### Careless, and 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, disqualified or uninsured drivers
#### Meaning of careless, or inconsiderate, driving
##### 3ZA
@@ -6258,7 +6264,7 @@
- (3) Subsection (1)(b) and (c) above shall not apply in relation to a person driving a mechanically propelled vehicle other than a motor vehicle.
#### Driving or being in charge of a motor vehicle with alcohol concentration above prescribed limit.
#### Driving, or being in charge, when under influence of drink or drugs.
##### 6A
@@ -6414,7 +6420,7 @@
- (e) make different provisions for different cases.
#### Restriction on carrying children not wearing seat belts in motor vehicles.
#### Seat belts: adults.
##### 15A
@@ -6538,7 +6544,7 @@
### Using vehicle in dangerous condition
#### Cycling when under influence of drink or drugs.
#### Careless, and inconsiderate, cycling.
##### 40A
@@ -6564,7 +6570,7 @@
is guilty of an offence.
#### Regulation of construction, weight, equipment and use of vehicles.
#### Using vehicle in dangerous condition etc.
##### 41B
@@ -6666,7 +6672,7 @@
- (5) Nothing in subsection (4) above limits to civil proceedings the reference to proceedings in subsection (1) above.
#### Breach of requirements as to control of vehicle, mobile telephones etc.
#### Breach of requirement as to speed assessment equipment detection devices
#### Use of records of goods vehicle examinations, etc.
@@ -6830,11 +6836,11 @@
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
#### Use of records of goods vehicle examinations, etc.
#### Tests of satisfactory condition of goods vehicles and determination of plated weights, etc.
### Prohibition of unfit vehicles
#### Appointment of examiners.
#### Regulations prohibiting the grant of excise licences for certain vehicles except on compliance with certain conditions.
##### 69A
@@ -7134,7 +7140,7 @@
- (14) In this section “relevant date" has the meaning given by section 99A(8) of this Act.
#### Exceptions.
#### Drivers of motor vehicles to have driving licences.
##### 99C
@@ -7172,7 +7178,7 @@
- (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.
#### Driving with uncorrected defective eyesight.
#### Notification of refusal of insurance on grounds of health.
##### 99D
@@ -7801,7 +7807,7 @@
- (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.
#### Exceptions from requirement of third-party insurance or security.
#### Users of motor vehicles to be insured or secured against third-party risks.
##### 144C
@@ -8587,8 +8593,14 @@
[^c13972711]: Definition of “relevant authority" in s. 39(4) inserted (3.7.2000) by [1999 c. 29](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1999/29), [s. 279(6)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1999/29/section/279/6), (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); [S.I. 2000/801](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2000/801), [art. 2(2)(c)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2000/801/article/2/2/c), [Sch. Pt. III](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2000/801/schedule/part/III)
[^c19480991]: This version of this provision extends to England and Wales only; a separate version has been created for Scotland only
[^c13972731]: S. 40: transfer of functions (1.7.1999) by [1998 c. 46](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/46), [ss. 53](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/46/section/53), [56(1)(i)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/46/section/56/1/i) (with [s. 126(3)-(11)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/46/section/126/3)); [S.I. 1998/3178](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/3178), [art. 2(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/3178/article/2/1) S. 40 modified (1.7.1999) by [S.I. 1999/672](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/672), [arts. 1](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/672/article/1), [2](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/672/article/2), [Sch. 1](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/672/schedule/1)
[^c19269921]: S. 40 substituted (E.W.) (8.1.2007) by [Road Safety Act 2006 (c. 49)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/49), [ss. 1](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/49/section/1), [61(7)(a)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/49/section/61/7/a)
[^c19481001]: This version of this provision extends to Scotland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales only
[^c13972741]: Words in s. 40 repealed (S.) (1.4.2001) by [2001 asp 2](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2001/2), [s. 76(a)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2001/2/section/76/a) (with [s. 66](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2001/2/section/66)); [S.S.I. 2001/132](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2001/132), [art. 2](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2001/132/article/2), [Sch. Pt. I](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2001/132/schedule/part/I)
[^c13972751]: Words in s. 40 inserted (S.) (1.4.2001) by [2001 asp 2](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2001/2), [s. 76(b)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2001/2/section/76/b) (with [s. 66](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2001/2/section/66)); [S.S.I. 2001/132](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2001/132), [art. 2](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2001/132/article/2), [Sch. Pt. I](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2001/132/schedule/part/I)
@@ -10453,11 +10465,11 @@
#### Fixed penalty notices
#### Power of police to stop vehicles.
#### Section 144A offence: supplementary
#### Power to seize vehicles driven without licence or insurance
#### Approved test assistants
#### Fixed penalty notices
#### 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.
#### Provisions as to Northern Ireland drivers’ licences.
@@ -10467,31 +10479,31 @@
#### Functions of traffic commissioners.
#### Exemption of police instructors from prohibition imposed by section 123.
#### Driving instruction for payment to be given only by registered or licensed persons.
#### Fixed penalty notices
#### 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.
#### Tramcars and other guided vehicles: drink and drugs.
#### . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
#### Tramcars and other guided vehicles: drink and drugs.
#### Inspection of public passenger vehicles and goods vehicles.
#### Power to prohibit driving of overloaded goods vehicles.
#### Provisions supplementary to sections 69 to 72.
#### Prohibitions conditional on inspection etc.
#### Official testing stations.
#### Drivers of motor vehicles to have driving licences.
#### Notification of refusal of insurance on grounds of health.
#### Disqualification to prevent duplication of licences.
#### Counterparts issued to Northern Ireland licence holders
#### Grants of licences: fitness as regards conduct.
#### Disqualification of persons under age.
#### Provisions as to Northern Ireland drivers’ licences.
#### Functions of traffic commissioners.
#### Users of motor vehicles to be insured or secured against third-party risks.
@@ -10499,16 +10511,16 @@
#### General index.
#### Protective helmets for motor cyclists.
#### Supplementary provisions about test certificates.
#### Wearing of protective headgear.
#### Obligatory test certificates.
#### Index to Part II.
#### Conduct of proceedings in certain courts by or against the Secretary of State.
#### Information relating to disabilities etc
#### Issue of false documents.
#### Provisions as to regulations.
#### Obtaining licence, or driving, while disqualified.
#### Revocation of authorisation conferred by Northern Ireland licence because of disability or prospective disability
#### False statements and withholding material information.
#### General index.
2007-01-01
Road Traffic Act 1988
2006-11-16
Road Traffic Act 1988
2006-11-08
Road Traffic Act 1988
2006-09-18
Road Traffic Act 1988
2006-08-16
Road Traffic Act 1988
2006-07-12
Road Traffic Act 1988
2006-07-03
Road Traffic Act 1988
2006-05-02
Road Traffic Act 1988
2005-11-14
Road Traffic Act 1988
2005-08-10
Road Traffic Act 1988
2005-08-02
Road Traffic Act 1988
2005-07-01
Road Traffic Act 1988
2005-06-07
Road Traffic Act 1988
2005-04-01
Road Traffic Act 1988
2005-03-01
Road Traffic Act 1988
2004-11-11
Road Traffic Act 1988
2004-11-10
Road Traffic Act 1988
2004-10-11
Road Traffic Act 1988
2004-10-01
Road Traffic Act 1988
2004-07-22
Road Traffic Act 1988
2004-04-01
Road Traffic Act 1988
2004-03-30
Road Traffic Act 1988
2004-03-29
Road Traffic Act 1988
2003-12-30
Road Traffic Act 1988
2003-12-29
Road Traffic Act 1988
2003-11-18
Road Traffic Act 1988
2003-11-09
Road Traffic Act 1988
original version
Text at this date