Road Traffic Act 1988The Road Traffic Act 1988 (RTA) includes legislation related to and including drivers and other road users.
Road Traffic Act 1988
Driving Offences in the UK
The following information covers the most common UK Motoring Offences and their legislation as laid out in the Road Traffic Act 1988. This is a page for people who want to look at more detail, rather than basic elements of an offence.
If you want to read more of a summary of the basic offence, then click on the read more tab after each section, or choose from the menu tab “Offences” and pick the offence that you want to know more about.
Speeding
Section 82 Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984 defines restricted roads. There is no need for signage if a road is automatically restricted to a 30mph limit by law.
A road is automatically restricted if there is a system of street lighting along it and the lights are not more than two hundred yards apart. The basis rule is that if there is signage then the signage takes precedence, if there is no signage but there is a system of street lighting then the light is automatically restricted. …… read more
The elements of a speeding offence
Section 89 of the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984 states that a person who drives a motor vehicle on a road at a speed exceeding the limit, is guilty of an offence.
Section 89 (2) states that a person cannot be convicted based solely on the evidence of one witness. In essence, this means that in order to be convicted of the speeding offence, the evidence must be corroborated. Evidence in relation to speeding offences can be corroborated in a variety of ways.
The main way in which evidence is corroborated is with the use of a speed detection device. Don’t forget though that two Police Officers in theory can corroborate each other. Therefore, you could be convicted on the basis of the given evidence of two Police Officers.
Section 89 (4) is an interesting section that not many people know about. It states that an employer can be guilty of an offence is they ask an employee (professional driver) to undertake a journey on their behalf and in the course of their employment, and it would be impossible to complete the journey in the time scales allocated without speeding.
Therefore, if your employers have unrealistic expectations in relation to your ability to perform particular driving jobs, then they may also be guilty of an offence.
Do you depend on your driving licence for your job? We can help defend allegations…
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I would like to thank Karen recently for putting my mind a little more at rest with regards to a second minor speeding offence … More I have yet to face. On top of a disqualification that I already have, I was dreading another court case and its such a relief that I don't have to go to court again. (Though I've yet to hear back)This phone service is invaluable as there is nothing available to help people like us. Not everyone has money to burn, nor are other solicitors interested in providing advice without huge charges.So very grateful.
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I have had the pleasure of dealing with Dominic and his team at Patterson law. they have been amazing from start to finish … More and would not hesitate to recommend them to any friends or family in the future. Patterson law were very honest and upfront about the fees involved and the service I have received from them has been invaluable. Thanks again. 5* advise & service
Section 3 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988: Driving Without Due Care and Attention
The offence of driving without due care and attention requires the Crown Prosecution Service to prove beyond reasonable doubt that a motor vehicle was driven on a road without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other purse road users. If the Crown Prosecution Service establishes this offence beyond reasonable doubt then you will be liable for 3-9 penalty points or a discretionary ban. There will also be the risk of fines and Court costs ..... read more
Driving a Motor Vehicle Whilst the Proportion of Alcohol in your Breath Exceeds the Legal Limit
This is a very serious offence, carrying a mandatory driving ban. It is defined in Section 5 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988. The offence carries driving or attempting to drive, or being in charge of a motor vehicle on a road or in a public place.
We deal with lots of drink diving cases where there is an argument as to whether or not where the offence happened was a road of a public place. We often win arguments at Court in relation to the location of the vehicle not being a public place.
If an individual is accused of being in charge of a motor vehicle whilst over the legal limit, that person will have a defence if he or she can show on the balance of probabilities (this means that it was more likely than not or so that the Court is 51% or more sure) that they would have not of driven whilst they were still over the legal limit ..... read more
Driving a Vehicle Without a MOT Certificate
It is illegal to drive a vehicle without a MOT certificate if the vehicle in question requires one.
Driving a motor vehicle without a MOT certificate carries fines. It is not an endorsable offence and therefore it does not carry penalty points or the risk of disqualification. However, if you drive a vehicle in an un-roadworthy condition and the Police believe the faults in relation to the brakes/lights/steering/tyres are serious or dangerous, can be charged with a different offence, which carries penalty points and the risk of a ban. Therefore it is important to keep your vehicle in a roadworthy condition.
The offence of driving a motor vehicle without a MOT is covered by Section 47 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988. Please remember that if you borrow a vehicle that doesn't have a MOT certificate then you will be personally liable. You will not be able to blame the owner of the motor vehicle.
Driving Without an Appropriate Driving Licence - Section 87 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
The basic wording of this offence is that a person must not drive a motor vehicle on a road if he doesn't hold a relevant licence authorising him to do so. The licence has to have the correct entitlements for the vehicle in question ..... read more
Driving a Motor Vehicle Without a Policy of Insurance in Place
Section 143 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 covers the offence of driving a motor vehicle without insurance. This is an endorsable offence and carries the risk of 6-8 penalty points. There is a statutory defence to driving a motor vehicle without insurance under Section 143 (3) of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988.
This states that if you are driving in the course of your employment and you believe you're insured and the vehicle doesn't belong to you then you will be found not guilty. You have to establish this defence on the balance of probabilities, i.e. so that the Court is 51% or more sure that the defence applies to the circumstances of your case ..... read more
Failing to Provide Driver Information / Name the Driver of the Motor Vehicle at the Time of an Alleged Offence
Section 172 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 outlines the offence of failing to provide driver information. It is complex legislation and a complicated offence. We spend a huge amount of our time defending people who have been unable to ascertain the driver at the time of an alleged offence.
The offence arises when a person has been asked to provide the identity after being required to do so by or on behalf of the Chief Officer of Police. The Police will normally ask the registered keeper of the vehicle to provide driver information, but they can in theory ask any person that they think may hold the information.
Therefore if you are not the registered keeper but somebody else nominates you, you will then be sent a Section 172 request for driver information in your own rights.
Failing to provide driver information is an onerous offence that carries the risk of six penalty points and a hefty fine if convicted ... read more
Using a Mobile Phone Whilst Driving
Section 110 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 states that it is an offence to drive a motor vehicle on a road whilst using a hand held mobile telephone. It is also an offence to cause or permit another person to drive on a road whilst using a handheld mobile telephone.
The defence to using a mobile phone whilst driving is if it is an emergency call to the emergency services on 112 or 999. It is only a defence if it is not safe or practical for you to pull over before making the call. It is an offence to supervise a learner driver whilst using a mobile phone.
The legislation in relation to mobile phone cases is very complicated and often confused. One of the biggest areas of debate that we have with both clients and the Court relates to the various interactive functions that you have on a phone. A lot of the functions do not involve telecommunication, for example using an iPod on the phone or using the phone as a Dictaphone or for to look at the clock.
It is our view that using a mobile phone satnav device without having the phone in the hands free kit does constitute as an offence. .... read more
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Dear Louise, I would like to express deep appreciation for all the work and effort you've put into my case and for ultimately getting me the decision that I wanted. Your professionalism, ease to communicate with, understanding of my problem and successful result are all testimony to your excellent legal services. I would recommend anybody with a Road Traffic Offence matter to your use your firm as they can be assured of an excellent and thorough service. Thanks again.
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Frequently Asked Motor Law Questions
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