LegalizeReform history
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
75 versions
· 1988-11-15
2026-01-22
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2025-02-24
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2024-05-30
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2023-02-07
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2022-11-30
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2022-06-28
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2022-04-28
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2021-10-31
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2020-12-31
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2020-12-01
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2019-11-01
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2019-10-31
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2019-04-12
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2019-03-28
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2019-03-26
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2019-01-01
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2018-07-19
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2018-01-31
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2017-04-05
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2017-03-01
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2017-01-31
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2016-03-02
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2016-01-04
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2015-09-22
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2015-06-08
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2015-05-26
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2015-04-07
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2015-03-26
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2015-03-12
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2014-10-01
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2014-04-01
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2013-08-16
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2013-04-01
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2012-07-06
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2012-01-16
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2011-03-30
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2011-02-04
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2011-02-01
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2010-02-22
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2009-12-14
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2009-10-01
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2009-09-01
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2009-04-01
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2009-03-31
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2009-02-23
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2009-02-09
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2009-01-05
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2008-12-08
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2008-10-01
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2008-08-18
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2008-06-02
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2008-03-30
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2008-03-10
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2007-12-10
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2007-09-24
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2007-02-27
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2006-11-08
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2006-09-18
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2006-08-16
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2005-08-26
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2005-06-30
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2005-04-01
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2004-12-01
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2004-10-11
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2004-09-01
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
Changes on 2004-09-01
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@
- (1) Where on the summary trial in England and Wales of an information for an offence to which this subsection applies—
- (a) it is proved to the satisfaction of the court, on oath or in manner prescribed by rules made under section 144 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, that a requirement under section 172(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to give information as to the identity of the driver of a particular vehicle on the particular occasion to which the information relates has been served on the accused by post, and
- (a) it is proved to the satisfaction of the court, on oath or in manner prescribed by Criminal Procedure Rules, that a requirement under section 172(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to give information as to the identity of the driver of a particular vehicle on the particular occasion to which the information relates has been served on the accused by post, and
- (b) a statement in writing is produced to the court purporting to be signed by the accused that the accused was the driver of that vehicle on that occasion,
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@
- (3) Where on the summary trial in England and Wales of an information for an offence to which section 112 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 applies—
- (a) it is proved to the satisfaction of the court, on oath or in manner prescribed by rules made under section 144 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, that a requirement under section 112(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to give information as to the identity of the driver of a particular vehicle on the particular occasion to which the information relates has been served on the accused by post, and
- (a) it is proved to the satisfaction of the court, on oath or in manner prescribed by Criminal Procedure Rules, that a requirement under section 112(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to give information as to the identity of the driver of a particular vehicle on the particular occasion to which the information relates has been served on the accused by post, and
- (b) a statement in writing is produced to the court purporting to be signed by the accused that the accused was the driver of that vehicle on that occasion,
@@ -244,11 +244,11 @@
- (3) In the preceding subsections, except in Scotland—
- “*copy*”, in relation to a document, means anything onto which information recorded in the document has been copied, by whatever means and whether directly or indirectly;
- “*document*” means anything in which information of any description is recorded; and
- “*statement*” means any representation of fact, however made.
- “ *copy* ”, in relation to a document, means anything onto which information recorded in the document has been copied, by whatever means and whether directly or indirectly;
- “ *document* ” means anything in which information of any description is recorded; and
- “ *statement* ” means any representation of fact, however made.
- (3A) In any case where—
@@ -264,7 +264,7 @@
- (3B) Section 104 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (under which previous convictions may be adduced in the absence of the accused after giving him seven days’ notice of them) does not limit the effect of subsection (3A) above.
- (3A) In Scotland, in the preceding subsections “*document*” and “*statement*” have the same meanings as in section 17(3) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1968, and the reference to a copy of a document shall be construed in accordance with section 17(4) of that Act; but nothing in this subsection shall be construed as limiting to civil proceedings the references to proceedings in subsection (2) above.
- (3A) In Scotland, in the preceding subsections “ *document* ” and “ *statement* ” have the same meanings as in section 17(3) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1968, and the reference to a copy of a document shall be construed in accordance with section 17(4) of that Act; but nothing in this subsection shall be construed as limiting to civil proceedings the references to proceedings in subsection (2) above.
- (4) In any case where—
@@ -272,7 +272,7 @@
- (b) the statement specifies an alleged previous conviction of an accused person of any such offence or any order made on the conviction,
- (c) it is proved to the satisfaction of the court, on oath or in such manner as may be prescribed by rules under section 144 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, that not less than seven days before the statement is so produced a notice was served on the accused, in such form and manner as may be so prescribed, specifying the previous conviction or order and stating that it is proposed to bring it to the notice of the court in the event of or, as the case may be, in view of his conviction, and
- (c) it is proved to the satisfaction of the court, on oath or in such manner as may be prescribed by Criminal Procedure Rules, that not less than seven days before the statement is so produced a notice was served on the accused, in such form and manner as may be so prescribed, specifying the previous conviction or order and stating that it is proposed to bring it to the notice of the court in the event of or, as the case may be, in view of his conviction, and
- (d) the accused is not present in person before the court when the statement is so produced,
@@ -2551,7 +2551,7 @@
## SCHEDULE 5
#### Requirement of warning etc. of prosecutions for certain offences.
#### Requirement of warning etc: supplementary.
##### 33A
@@ -2835,17 +2835,15 @@
[^c18158081]: S. 11(3A) inserted (8.3.1997) (EW) by [1996 c. 25](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/25), [s. 47](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/25/section/47), [Sch. 1 Pt. II](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/25/schedule/1/part/II), [para. 35](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/25/paragraph/35) (with [s. 78(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/25/section/78/1)); [S.I. 1997/683](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/683), [art. 1(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/683/article/1/2)
[^c18158131]: [S. 12](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/53/section/12) extended by Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1974 (c. xxiv, SIF 107:1, s. 15(2)(b) (as amended by [Road Traffic (Consequential Provisions) Act 1988 (c. 54, SIF 107:1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/54), [s. 4](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/54/section/4), [Sch. 3 para. 12(a)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/54/schedule/3/paragraph/12/a))
[^c18158141]: [1980 c. 43](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1980/43).
[^c18158131]: S. 12 extended by Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1974 (c. xxiv, SIF 107:1, s. 15(2)(b) (as amended by [Road Traffic (Consequential Provisions) Act 1988 (c. 54, SIF 107:1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/54), [s. 4](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/54/section/4), [Sch. 3 para. 12(a)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/54/schedule/3/paragraph/12/a))
[^c18158151]: [1988 c. 52](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52).
[^c18158161]: [1984 c. 27](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1984/27).
[^c18158171]: [S. 12(4)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/53/section/12/4) added (1.4.1993 only for the purposes of summary criminal proceedings in Scotland which are commenced on or after 1.4.1993) by [Road Traffic Act 1991 (c. 40, SIF 107:1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1991/40), [s. 48](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1991/40/section/48), [Sch. 4 para.85](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1991/40/schedule/4/paragraph/85); [S.I. 1993/975](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1993/975), [art. 2 Sch.](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1993/975/article/2/schedule)
[^c18158181]: Words in [s. 12(4)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/53/section/12/4) (as proposed to be inserted by [1991 c. 40](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1991/40), [Sch. 4 para. 85](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1991/40/schedule/4/paragraph/85)) substituted (S.) (29.3.1993) by [1993 c. 9](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1993/9), [s. 47(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1993/9/section/47/1), [Sch. 5 para. 5](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1993/9/schedule/5/paragraph/5) (with [s. 47(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1993/9/section/47/2), [Sch. 6 paras. 1](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1993/9/schedule/6/paragraph/1), [2](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1993/9/schedule/6/paragraph/2))
[^c18158171]: S. 12(4) added (1.4.1993 only for the purposes of summary criminal proceedings in Scotland which are commenced on or after 1.4.1993) by [Road Traffic Act 1991 (c. 40, SIF 107:1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1991/40), [s. 48](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1991/40/section/48), [Sch. 4 para.85](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1991/40/schedule/4/paragraph/85); [S.I. 1993/975](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1993/975), [art. 2 Sch.](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1993/975/article/2/schedule)
[^c18158181]: Words in s. 12(4) (as proposed to be inserted by [1991 c. 40](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1991/40), [Sch. 4 para. 85](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1991/40/schedule/4/paragraph/85)) substituted (S.) (29.3.1993) by [1993 c. 9](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1993/9), [s. 47(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1993/9/section/47/1), [Sch. 5 para. 5](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1993/9/schedule/5/paragraph/5) (with [s. 47(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1993/9/section/47/2), [Sch. 6 paras. 1](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1993/9/schedule/6/paragraph/1), [2](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1993/9/schedule/6/paragraph/2))
[^c18158341]: S. 13(3) substituted for s. 13(3)(3A) (31.1.1997) by [1995 c. 38](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1995/38), [s. 15(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1995/38/section/15/1), [Sch. 1 para. 15](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1995/38/schedule/1/paragraph/15); [S.I. 1996/3217](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1996/3217), [art. 2](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1996/3217/article/2)
@@ -2853,8 +2851,6 @@
[^c18158361]: Words in s. 13(4)(a) inserted (1.9.1998) by [1998 c. 15](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/15), [s. 2(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/15/section/2/2); [S.I. 1998/1837](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1837), [arts. 2](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1837/article/2), [3](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1837/article/3)
[^c18158371]: [1980 c. 43](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1980/43).
[^c18158381]: S. 13(7) inserted (8.3.1997) (EW) by [1996 c. 25](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/25), [s. 47](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/25/section/47), [Sch. 1 Pt. II para. 36](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/25/schedule/1/part/II/paragraph/36); S.i. 1997/683, art. 1(2)
[^c18158401]: Words in [s. 14](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/53/section/14) inserted (1.7.1992) by [Road Traffic Act 1991 (c. 40, SIF 107:1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1991/40), [s. 48](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1991/40/section/48), [Sch. 4 para.86](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1991/40/schedule/4/paragraph/86); [S.I. 1992/1286](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/1286), [art. 2](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/1286/article/2),Sch.
@@ -3855,6 +3851,12 @@
[^key-97f4f53276305e9c933c62d1478787af]: Sch. 1 para. 4(aa) repealed (22.7.2004) by [Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/14), [Sch. 1 Pt. 14](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/14/schedule/1/part/14)
[^key-13c65ec7750e64ec2150658d68ada6d4]: Words in [s. 12(1)(a)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/53/section/12/1/a) substituted (1.9.2004) by [Courts Act 2003 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/2035)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/2035), [art. 2(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/2035/article/2/1), [Sch. para. 30](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/2035/schedule/paragraph/30) (with [art. 2(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/2035/article/2/2))
[^key-d6173cfee9f4e21075f5299f1d1482b0]: Words in [s. 12(3)(a)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/53/section/12/3/a) substituted (1.9.2004) by [Courts Act 2003 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/2035)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/2035), [art. 2(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/2035/article/2/1), [Sch. para. 30](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/2035/schedule/paragraph/30) (with [art. 2(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/2035/article/2/2))
[^key-721de7bbc215ad44fb0a52b16f779d48]: Words in s. 13(4)(c) substituted (1.9.2004) by [Courts Act 2003 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/2035)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/2035), [art. 2(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/2035/article/2/1), [Sch. para. 31](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/2035/schedule/paragraph/31) (with [art. 2(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/2035/article/2/2))
[^M_C_17b45f32-622d-479b-a953-a662e7bc0d2d]: S. 75 amended (1.7.2004) by [Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 (c. 20)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/20), [s. 120(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/20/section/120/1), [Sch. 5 para. 4](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/20/schedule/5/paragraph/4); [S.I. 2004/1572](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/1572), [art. 3(jjj)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/1572/article/3/jjj)
[^M_C_fcccb6bb-74cf-4fd0-d080-1a3558b31dde]: S. 54 amended (1.7.2004) by [Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 (c. 20)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/20), [s. 120(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/20/section/120/1), [Sch. 5 para. 4](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/20/schedule/5/paragraph/4); [S.I. 2004/1572](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/1572), [art. 3(jjj)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/1572/article/3/jjj)
@@ -3872,3 +3874,15 @@
#### Effect of offer and payment of penalty.
#### Index to Part III.
#### Use of records kept by operators of goods vehicles.
#### Proceedings in which evidence of one witness sufficient in Scotland.
#### Penalty points to be attributed to an offence.
#### Effect of fixed penalty notice given under section 54.
#### Effect of offer and payment of penalty.
#### Index to Part III.
2004-07-22
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2004-07-01
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2004-03-30
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2004-03-29
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2004-03-26
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2003-04-01
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2002-12-02
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2002-10-01
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
2001-01-30
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
1988-11-15
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
original version
Text at this date