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UK Act of Parliament
1968
United Kingdom
Transport Act 1968
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
46 compliance obligations, 2 practical guides · 6 journeys
Penalty landscape
14 of 46 obligations carry a fine up to £2,500. 9 carry different penalties and 23 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Any Person 28
- Employer 6
- Landlord 1
- Manufacturer 1
- Director or Officer 1
Plus 9 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Step-by-step journeys using this legislation
Walkthroughs that take you from a real business situation to compliance.
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Direct — cites this Act
1 guidesSupporting — topic alignment
1 guidesOther Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Any Person also bound by 749 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 110 duties
- Licensing Act 2003 2003 105 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 97 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 86 duties
Employers also bound by 171 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 1998 204 duties
- The Income Tax (Pay As You Earn) Regulations 2003 2003 201 duties
- Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 1989 55 duties
- Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 2006 51 duties
- TULRCA 1992 1992 47 duties
Landlords also bound by 70 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 2022 59 duties
- Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 2016 33 duties
- Housing Act 1985 1985 31 duties
- Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 2006 14 duties
- Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 2015 10 duties
Manufacturers also bound by 82 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 2011 27 duties
- Radio Equipment Regulations 2017 2017 25 duties
- Medical Devices Regulations 2002 2002 23 duties
- Lifts Regulations 2016 2016 22 duties
- Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016 2016 21 duties
Directors and Officers also bound by 224 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 75 duties
- Companies Act 2006 2006 63 duties
- Insolvency Act 1986 1986 46 duties
- CCBSA 2014 2014 22 duties
- CAICEA 2004 2004 18 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Part I — Integration of Freight Transport Services
Browse 4 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part II — Integrated Transport Areas and Passenger Transport Areas
General functions of Authorities and Executives.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Transport Authorities must secure essential public transport services Local authority
Special duty of certain Executives with respect to railway passenger services.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Transport Executives must review and secure rail services in their area Local authority
Consents of, or directions by, Minister under Part II.
- Comply with written directions regarding integrated transport areas Any Person
Browse 16 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Further powers of Executives
Boundaries of power under section 10A
Power to make provision supplemental to section 10A
Financial duty of Executive.
Borrowing powers of Executive.
Power to make grants.
Guarantees by Authority.
Accounts of Executive.
Further functions of Authority.
Additional provisions as to control of Executive by Authority.
Publication of annual report by Authority and Executive and prevention of improper conduct of subsidiary activities.
Transfer to Executive of local authority transport undertakings.
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Provisions as to regulations and orders under Part II.
Interpretation of certain provisions of this Part relating to railways.
Part III — Bus and Ferry Services
Browse 13 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
General powers of Bus Company.
General powers of Scottish Group.
Financial provisions with respect to Bus Company and Scottish Group.
Transfer to Bus Company or Scottish Group of certain securities, rights and liabilities.
Transfer of certain property, rights and liabilities between Railways Board and Bus Company or Scottish Group.
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Abolition of special control over bus services provided by local authorities outside their areas.
New bus grants.
s.33
Assistance for rural bus or ferry services.
s.35
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Power for local authorities to acquire or dispose of public service vehicle undertakings.
Part IV — Further Provisions as to Boards, New Authorities and Transport Services
Financial provisions as to Boards and new authorities.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Nationalised transport authorities must ensure financial break-even Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 21 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Composition of Railways Board and removal of requirement for regional boards.
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Additional financial provisions as to Railways Board.
Additional financial provisions as to Waterways Board.
Grants to Canal & River Trust
Account by Minister of receipt and disposal of certain sums.
Duty of Freight Corporation and Railways Board to review organisation.
Duty of Boards and new authorities to promote research and development.
Extension to new authorities of certain functions of Boards.
Manufacture, repair and supply.
Miscellaneous provisions as to powers.
Subsidiaries and joint subsidiaries.
Supplementary and miscellaneous provisions.
Provisions with respect to Holding Company.
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Amendments as to Transport Consultative Committees Passengers’ Council and London Transport Users’ Committee.
Assistance by Minister or local authority towards capital expenditure on public transport facilities.
Grants for research or development in connection with transport services, etc.
Grants for research or development in connection with transport services by inland waterways in Scotland
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Part V
Users of certain goods vehicles to hold operators’ licences.
Fine up to £2,500- Hold a valid operator’s licence for goods vehicles Any Person
Maximum numbers of vehicles.
Fine up to £2,500- Exceed maximum number of vehicles allowed on operator's licence Any Person
Applications for operators’ licences.
Fine up to £2,500- Fail to notify licensing authority of convictions during licence application Any Person
Decision on applications for operators’ licences.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Licensing authority must determine operator licence applications Local authority
Conditions for securing road safety.
Fine up to £2,500- Breach road safety conditions on an operator's licence Any Person
Conditions as to matters required to be notified to licensing authority.
Fine up to £2,500- Fail to notify licensing authority of business changes Any Person
Revocation, suspension and curtailment of operators’ licences.
Fine up to £2,500- Apply for or obtain a licence while disqualified Any Person
Operating centres for authorised vehicles to be specified in operators’ licences.
Fine up to £2,500- Use an unauthorised operating centre for vehicles Any Person
Conditions as to the use of operating centres.
Fine up to £2,500- Breach of operating centre conditions Any Person
Periods of review for operating centres.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Licensing authority must review operating centres every five years Local authority
Determinations as to environmental matters: supplementary provisions.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Licensing authority must consider environmental impact of operating centres Local authority
Consignment notes.
2 years imprisonment- Fail to carry or keep consignment notes for large goods vehicles Any Person
Powers of entry and inspection.
- Fail to comply with inspection request or obstruct officer Any Person
Inquiries.
Fine up to £2,500- Unauthorized disclosure of confidential business information from an inquiry Any Person
Fees.
- Pay required fees for operator's licence grant or variation Any Person
Regulations and orders for purposes of Part V.
Fine up to £200- Breach of operator licence regulations Any Person
Browse 32 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
The licensing authority for Part V.
Authorised vehicles.
Objections to grant of operators’ licences.
Issue of operators’ licences.
Conditions as to transport managers.
Duration of operators’ licences and grant of interim licences.
Interim licences.
Variation of operators’ licences.
Interim variations.
Objection to, or refusal or modification of, applications for operators’ licences on environmental grounds.
Variation of operators’ licences with respect to operating centres and conditions affecting their use, etc.
Publication of notice of applications for licences and variations in localities affected.
Power to remove operating centres on review.
Powers to attach conditions etc. on review.
Transfer of operating centres.
Revocation, etc. of operators’ licences for breach of provisions controlling use of operating centres.
Provisions supplementary to sections 69A to 69F.
Assessors.
Review of decisions.
Rights of appeal in connection with operators’ licences.
Control of the use of large goods vehicles.
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Falsification of consignment notes and records.
Evidence by certificate.
Holding companies and subsidiaries.
Partnerships.
Operators’ licences not to be transferable etc.
Provisions relating to Transport Tribunal.
Appointment and remuneration of officers and servants.
Interpretation of Part V.
Carriers’ licences not to be required for small vehicles or for medium vehicles covered by operators’ licences.
Transitional provisions and amendments.
Part VI — Drivers’ Hours
Permitted driving time and periods of duty.
Fine up to £2,500- Breach of domestic or international driving hours rules Employer
Installation and use of recording equipment : EU requirements.
Unlimited fine- Failure to install or correctly use tachograph recording equipment Employer
Forgery, etc of seals on recording equipment
2 years imprisonment- Forge or tamper with vehicle tachograph seals Any Person
Delivery of record sheets and other documents
Fine up to £2,500- Fail to ensure drivers hand over tachograph records Any Person
Vehicle units: downloading data
- Download data from vehicle tachograph units Any Person
Driver cards: downloading data
- Download digital tachograph data from driver cards Employer
Downloading and retaining data: offences
- Fail to download or retain transport data as required Any Person
Access to downloaded data
Unlimited fine- Failure to provide access to downloaded tachograph data Any Person
Installation and use of recording equipment: AETR requirements
Unlimited fine- Use or allow a vehicle without a compliant tachograph (AETR) Employer
Supply of recording equipment which is not type-approved
Fine up to £2,500- Supply tachograph equipment without a valid type-approval certificate Any Person
Recording equipment system elements: security vulnerabilities
Fine up to £2,500- Fail to report tachograph security vulnerabilities Manufacturer
Written records.
Fine up to £2,500- Fail to keep or maintain driver work records Employer
Inspection of records and other documents.
Unlimited fine- Fail to produce records or obstruct an inspection Any Person
Failure to comply with prohibition.
- Fail to comply with a transport prohibition Any Person
Power to give effect to international agreements.
Amended 1 timeOrders and regulations under Part VI.
Amended 3 timesApplication to the Crown and exemption for police and fire brigade.
Amended 6 timesExclusion of application to tramcars and trolley vehicles.
Amended 6 timesPartnerships and other unincorporated associations
Amended 6 timesOffences by bodies corporate etc
2 years imprisonment Amended 6 times- Personal liability for directors and partners for transport offences Director or Officer
Interpretation, supplementary provisions, etc., for Part VI.
Amended 19 timesBrowse 14 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Vehicles and drivers subject to control under Part VI.
Authorisation of field tests
Provisions supplementary to section 97.
s.97B
Downloading data: requirement imposed by an officer
Power to prohibit driving of vehicle.
Duration and removal of prohibition.
Inspection of records and other documents and data relating to recording equipment
Inspection of records and other documents and data relating to recording equipment
Inspection of records and other documents and data relating to recording equipment
Inspection of records and other documents and data relating to recording equipment
Inspection of records and other documents and data relating to recording equipment
Inspection of records and other documents and data relating to recording equipment
Power to stop
Part VII — Inland Waterways
Classification of ... waterways.
Amended 10 timesMaintenance of ... waterways.
Amended 17 times- Maintain commercial and cruising waterways for public use Any Person
Enforcement of maintenance duty – the Waterways Board
Amended 8 timesEnforcement of maintenance duty – Canal & River Trust
Amended 8 timesAmendments as to general duties of Board.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Waterways Board must efficiently manage and commercialise assets Statutory regulator
Prevention of nuisance as respects certain waterways.
Amended 5 timesPower of certain bodies to maintain or take over waterways and connected works in Scotland.
Amended 15 timesThe Inland Waterways Advisory Council
Amended 8 timesTerm of office, procedure etc.
Amended 8 timesFunctions of Council: England and Wales
Amended 8 timesFunctions of Council: Scotland
Amended 8 timesAccess agreements and orders as respects canals other than commercial waterways and cruising waterways.
Amended 1 timePower to extinguish statutory rights and obligations in respect of canals not comprised in undertaking of Board or Canal & River Trust.
Amended 12 timesByelaws in respect of waterways owned or managed by certain bodies.
Fine up to £200 Amended 2 times- Breach of local waterway byelaws Any Person
Browse 1 other section in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part VIII — Bridges, Level Crossings, etc.
Transfer of responsibility for maintenance of highways on bridges over certain railways, inland waterways, etc.
Amended 14 timesDuty ... as respects bridges carrying highways.
Amended 17 times- Maintain and improve bridges carrying highways over transport networks Any Person
Duty of highway authorities, etc., as respects bridges over certain railways or inland waterways.
Amended 9 times- Maintain bridges over railways and waterways to ensure safety Landlord
Ending of liability ... to make payments on being relieved of responsibility for bridges carrying trunk or special roads.
Amended 5 timesApplication of foregoing sections to other undertakers.
Amended 5 timesInterpretations of sections 116 to 121.
Amended 1 timePower of highway and other authorities to contribute to cost of barriers, etc., at level crossings.
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Amended 2 timesBrowse 1 other section in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part IX — Regulation of Road Traffic
Browse 2 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part X — Miscellaneous and General
Duty to act in certain cases as body engaged in commercial enterprise.
Amended 1 timeLand required as service area for special road: compensation in certain cases of compulsory acquisition.
Amended 1 timeApplication of Town and Country Planning Acts.
Amended 2 timesPowers of Minister in connection with channel tunnel.
Amended 1 timeTransfer and disposal of historical records and relics.
Amended 3 times- Preserve and offer historical transport records and relics Any Person
Minor amendments of Road Traffic Act 1960.
Amended 1 timeOrders and regulations.
Amended 1 timeInquiries.
Amended 1 timeInterpretation—general.
Amended 3 timesIncome tax, etc.
Amended 1 timeRating.
- Subsidiaries of Transport Boards must pay business rates on commercial premises Any Person
Browse 19 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Pensions.
Travel concessions.
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Approval marks.
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Miscellaneous, supplementary and consequential provisions.
Expenses.
Application to Northern Ireland.
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Short title and commencement.
Schedules
Supplementary Provisions as to certain Transfers of Property, Rights and Liabilities
- Agree in writing on the division of property and liabilities during transfers Any Person
Browse 15 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
The New Authorities
Commencing Capital Debts of New Authorities
Passenger Transport Authorities and Executives Passenger Transport Executives
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Bodies whose Securities are Transferred to Bus Company
New Bus Grants—Supplementary Provisions
Transfer of operating centres
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Amendments Consequential on Part V
Amendments Consequential on Part VI
Commercial and Cruising Waterways
Order Relating to Inland Waterways
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Supplementary or Consequential Provisions
Application to Northern Ireland
Other sections — not classified into a Part
These sections exist in the Act but the contents-of-Parts walker did not place them under a Part. Likely amendments or sections inserted out of the original Part structure.
Consultation and publicity with respect to policies as to services.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Passenger Transport Authorities must consult and publish service policies Local authority
Interpretation of Part VII.
Amended 3 timesCompensation for loss of employment etc.
Amended 2 timesOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Minister must make regulations for staff compensation following transfers Crown / Minister / Government department
Machinery for negotiation and consultation with staff.
Amended 16 times- Establish staff consultation and negotiation machinery Employer
Stamp duty.
Amended 2 timesBrowse 4 other unclassified sections
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Regulates drivers, vehicles, and operators in UK road transport. Issues operator licences for goods vehicles (HGVs) and PSVs. Enforces roadworthiness and driver …
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