UK Act of Parliament 1997 c. 276 Northern Ireland

The Road Traffic Regulation (Northern Ireland) Order 1997

Read the Act on legislation.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
Status
Amended (in force with amendments)
Penalty ceiling
Regulated 15 of 57 obligations carry a criminal penalty. 42 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.

Does it bind you?

Business-side roles with duties under this instrument.

Any Person20 Operator1 Employee1

Plus 35 duties on the regulator, Crown ministers and public bodies — folded into the section list below.

Other Acts binding the same actors

If a role above is yours, these are the other instruments that most often bind it.

Any Person — also bound by 2684 other Acts
Operator — also bound by 803 other Acts
Employee — also bound by 193 other Acts

What it requires

Sections creating concrete business duties or carrying penalties, grouped as the instrument is structured. Titles link to the source text — blue means you’re leaving for legislation.gov.uk.

s.art003 Rule of the road Regulated
  • Drive on the left and overtake on the right on roadsAny Person
s.art004 Traffic regulation orders Regulated
  • Contravene a traffic regulation orderAny Person
s.art005 Experimental traffic control schemes Regulated
  • Contravene experimental traffic control schemeAny Person
s.art008 General traffic regulations Regulated
  • Fail to comply with road traffic regulationsAny Person
s.art009 Supplementary Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must place traffic signs warning of road restrictionsCrown / Minister / Government department
s.art014 Offences and proceedings in connection with parking places provided under Article 10 or 11 Regulated
  • Breach off-street parking order or interfere with parking equipmentAny Person
s.art015 Designation of parking places on roads for which charges may be made Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must consider traffic and local interests before designating paid parking placesCrown / Minister / Government department
s.art019 Offences relating to parking places on roads where charges may be made Regulated
  • Breach charged parking place rules or interfere with a parking meterAny Person
s.art022 Offences in connection with parking devices Regulated
  • Fraudulently interfere with or misuse parking devicesAny Person
s.art023 Mishandling of parking devices, Regulated
  • Misuse of parking devices with intent to deceiveAny Person
s.art024 Public service vehicle plying for hire in parking place Regulated
  • Don't ply for hire or accept passengers in a parking placeOperator
s.art026 Acquisition and inspection, etc., of apparatus Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Parking authority must periodically inspect parking equipment and fix faultsCrown / Minister / Government department
s.art027 Taxi regulation orders Regulated
  • Contravene a taxi regulation orderAny Person
s.art030 Warning devices for indicating temporary obstructions Regulated
  • Fail to carry or place prescribed warning deviceAny Person
s.art031 Warning of danger to traffic Regulated
  • Provide and maintain traffic warning signs for road worksAny Person
s.art033 Interference with, or damage to, traffic signs Regulated
  • Intentionally interfere with or damage a traffic signAny Person
s.art034 Unauthorised signs Regulated
  • Place unauthorised traffic sign on or near a roadAny Person
s.art036 General speed limit on restricted roads Regulated
  • Do not drive over 30 mph on restricted roadsAny Person
s.art041 Traffic signs for indicating speed restrictions Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must erect and maintain speed-limit traffic signsCrown / Minister / Government department
s.art043 Contravening speed limit Regulated
  • Contravene a speed limitAny Person
s.art046 Uniform of traffic wardens Regulated
  • Traffic wardens must wear approved uniform and not act without itEmployee
s.art048 Power of constable to remove vehicles Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Constable must keep removed vehicles safe while in custodyCrown / Minister / Government department
s.art049 Power of Department to remove vehicles Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must keep removed vehicles safe while in its custodyCrown / Minister / Government department
s.art050 Obstructing removal of vehicles Regulated
  • Obstruct removal of a vehicleAny Person
s.art059 Pedestrian crossings Regulated
  • Contravene pedestrian crossing regulationsAny Person
s.art060 School crossings Regulated
  • You must stop for school crossing patrols when sign is shownAny Person
s.art066 Power to prohibit or restrict use of vehicles on certain bridges Regulated
  • Do not drive overweight vehicles over bridges with weight restrictionsAny Person
50 other provisions — procedural and definitional
s.art001 Title and commencement
s.art002 Interpretation
s.art006 Temporary suspension of traffic regulation orders or experimental traffic control schemes
s.art007 Temporary traffic regulation
s.art008 Prohibition or restriction of use of public roads: special events
s.art009 Parking places: introductory
s.art010 Power of parking authority to provide parking places
s.art011 Additional powers in respect of off-street parking places
s.art012 Provision of access to premises through off-street parking places
s.art013 Provisions as to use of parking places
s.art016 Charges for parking in designated parking places
s.art017 Regulation of designated parking places
s.art018 Supplementary provisions relating to designation orders
s.art020 Acceptance of payment as bar to proceedings under Article 19
s.art021 Parking devices for designated parking places
s.art025 Parking attendants
s.art027 Protection of parking authority from liability
s.art028 Traffic signs
s.art029 Power to provide signs
s.art032 Power of constable, etc., to place traffic signs
s.art035 Powers of Department relating to the removal of signs
s.art037 Restricted roads
s.art038 Speed limits on roads other than restricted roads
s.art039 Speed limits for particular classes of vehicles
s.art040 Temporary or experimental speed limits
s.art042 Exemption for fire engines, etc.
s.art044 Employment of traffic wardens
s.art045 Employment of traffic wardens as parking attendants
s.art047 Power of constable to require removal of vehicles
s.art051 Disposal of vehicles by a police officer
s.art052 Disposal of vehicles by the Department
s.art053 Disposal of vehicles by district council
s.art054 Recovery of expenses connected with removed vehicles
s.art055 Disabled persons' badges
s.art058 Provisions for safety of pedestrians, etc.
s.art061 Offences
s.art062 Permits authorising carriage of greater weights
s.art063 Repayment of charges
s.art064 Power to install equipment for detection of traffic offences
s.art065 Inquiries
s.art067 Prospective exercise of powers
s.art068 Hovercraft
s.art069 Trolley vehicles
s.art070 The Crown
s.art071 Application of Order in relation to harbour commissioners
s.art072 Application of speed limits to Belfast Harbour Estate
s.art073 Transitional provisions
s.art074 Regulations and orders
s.paragraph/p1 Arts. 56 & 57 rep. by 2005 NI 14
s.paragraph/p5 Art. 75—Amendments and repeals
Schedules

Schedules

30 of 45 shown
s.sch001 (1) The Department shall comply with paragraphs 2 and 3 before making a traffic regulation... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must consult and publish notice before making traffic regulation ordersCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch001 The Department shall consult such persons as the Department considers appropriate. Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must consult appropriate persons before making traffic regulation ordersCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch001 (1) The Department shall publish a notice including the particulars specified in sub-paragraph (2). (2)... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must publish draft traffic order notice and consider objectionsCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch001 (1) Where the Department makes a traffic regulation order, it shall— (a) notify— (i) any... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must notify consultees/objectors and publish order noticeCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch002 (1) Where under Article 5(8) the Department directs in a scheme that a provision is... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must notify and publish suspension/modification of traffic control schemesCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch002 The Department shall comply with paragraphs 3 and 4 before making a scheme. Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must consult and publish before making experimental traffic schemeCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch002 The Department shall consult such persons as the Department considers appropriate. Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must consult appropriate people before making a traffic regulation schemeCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch002 (1) The Department shall publish in a newspaper circulating in the district where the scheme... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must publish notice of draft road traffic scheme and consider objectionsCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch002 (1) Where the Department makes a scheme, it shall— (a) notify— (i) any person consulted... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Notify consultees and objectors and publish notice when making a road traffic schemeCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch002 Where under Article 5(5) the Department directs that a scheme shall continue in force, the... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must publish notice when extending a traffic schemeCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch003 Where the Department imposes or proposes to impose restrictions or... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must publish notice before long-term road restrictionsCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch003 The Department shall publish in a newspaper circulating in the... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must publish newspaper notice of road restrictionsCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch003 Where any restrictions or prohibitions imposed under Article 7 on... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must publish further notice to extend temporary road restrictionsCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch003 Where, under Article 7(7), the Department directs that a provision... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must publish suspension details and free inspection arrangementsCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch003a (1) An order shall not be made except on an application made to the relevant... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Relevant authority must publish notice and consult before special event ordersCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch003a (1) A person who contravenes, or who uses or permits the use of a vehicle... Regulated
  • Contravene traffic order or fail to meet promoter requirementAny Person
s.sch004 The Department shall comply with paragraphs 2 and 3 before making an order under Article... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must consult and publish notice before making certain traffic ordersCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch004 The Department shall consult such persons as the Department considers appropriate. Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must consult appropriate persons before making an orderCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch004 (1) The Department shall publish in a newspaper circulating in the district in which any... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must advertise and consider objections before parking place ordersCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch004 Where the Department makes an order under Article 10, 13 or 15, it shall— (a)... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must notify consultees and objectors and publish order noticeCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch004 (1) Where the department makes an order under Article 13 or 15 the sole effect... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must give 21 days' notice of parking charge changesCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch004a The Department shall comply with paragraphs 2 and 3 before making an order under Article... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must consult and publish notice before making an orderCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch004a The Department shall consult such persons as it considers appropriate. Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must consult appropriate persons before making road traffic ordersCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch004a (1) The Department shall publish a notice including the particulars specified in sub-paragraph (2). (2)... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must publish notice and consider objections before road traffic orderCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch004a When the Department makes an order under Article 27A, it shall— (a) notify— (i) any... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must notify consultees and objectors and publish order noticeCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch005 The Department shall comply with paragraphs 2 and 3 before making an order under Article... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must consult and publish notice before making certain traffic ordersCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch005 The Department shall consult such persons as it considers appropriate. Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must consult appropriate persons before making ordersCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch005 (1) The Department shall publish a notice including the particulars specified in sub-paragraph (2). (2)... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must publish notice of proposed traffic order and consider objectionsCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch005 Where the Department makes an order under Article 36(3)(a), 37 or 38, it shall— (a)... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must notify consultees and objectors and publish newspaper noticeCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch006 (1) Where the Department decides to hold an inquiry in connection with the making by... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Department must publish notice of inquiry into road traffic order or schemeCrown / Minister / Government department
15 other schedules
s.sch001 The Department may make a traffic regulation order with or without omissions and other modifications.
s.sch002 In this Schedule— (a) “scheme” means an experimental traffic control scheme; and (b) references to...
s.sch002 The Department may make a scheme with or without omissions and other modifications.
s.sch002 Paragraph 7 shall have effect in relation to the making of a scheme the sole...
s.sch003 Where the Department publishes a notice under paragraph 2 specifying...
s.sch003a (1) This paragraph applies for the purposes of this Schedule. (2) Subject to sub-paragraph (3),...
s.sch003a (1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies if the relevant authority for a public road is satisfied that—...
s.sch003a The relevant authority may recover from the promoter the whole of the costs incurred by...
s.sch003a The Department may issue guidance— (a) to district councils as to the exercise of their...
s.sch004 The Department may make an order under Article 10, 13 or 15 with or without...
s.sch004 Paragraphs 1 to 7 apply in relation to orders under Article 13 made by a...
s.sch004a The Department may make an order under Article 27A with or without omissions and other...
s.sch005 The Department may make an order under Article 36(3)(a), 37 or 38 with or without...
s.sch006 (1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3), all persons interested may appear at the inquiry...
s.sch006 Where the inquiry has been held, the Department may, after considering the report of the...

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