UK Act of Parliament 1981 United Kingdom

Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981

An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to public passenger vehicles.

Read the Act on legislation.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
Status
Amended (in force with amendments)
Penalty ceiling
Prosecution 2 of 13 obligations carry a fine up to £1,000. 2 carry different penalties and 9 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.

Does it bind you?

Business-side roles with duties under this instrument.

Any Person6 Trader1 Landlord1

Plus 5 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 2340 other Acts
Trader — also bound by 825 other Acts
Companies Act 2006 243 duties
Companies Act 1985 85 duties
Landlord — also bound by 224 other Acts
Housing Act 1985 55 duties
Housing Act 1996 30 duties

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.

Part 1

Preliminary

0 of 9 sections shown
9 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.001 Definition of “public service vehicle”. (opens in a new tab)
s.002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (opens in a new tab)
s.003 Traffic areas. (opens in a new tab)
s.004 Traffic commissioners. (opens in a new tab)
s.004 Appointment of senior traffic commissioner
s.004 Power of senior traffic commissioner to deploy other commissioners
s.004 Power of senior traffic commissioner to give guidance and directions
s.004 Guidance to senior traffic commissioner by Secretary of State
s.005 Publication of information by traffic commissioners. (opens in a new tab)
Part 2

Safeguarding duty: drivers of school services

0 of 3 sections shown
3 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.029 Duty to check barring information
s.029 Application of section 29A duty: services in Wales
s.029 Interpretation of Part 2A
Part 2

General Provisions Relating to Public Service Vehicles

1 of 34 sections shown
s.016 Conditions as to matters required to be notified. Prosecution
  • Fail to notify changes affecting standard licence conditionsAny Person

Fine up to £2,500

33 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.006 Certificate of initial fitness (or equivalent) required for use as public service vehicles. (opens in a new tab)
s.007 Certifying officers and public service vehicle examiners. (opens in a new tab)
s.008 Powers of, and facilities for, inspection of public service vehicles. (opens in a new tab)
s.009 Power to prohibit driving of unfit public service vehicles. (opens in a new tab)
s.009 Extension of sections 8 and 9 to certain passenger vehicles other than public service vehicles.
s.010 Approval of type vehicle and effect thereof. (opens in a new tab)
s.011 Modification of section 6 in relation to experimental vehicles. (opens in a new tab)
s.012 PSV operators’ licences. (opens in a new tab)
s.012 Detention of certain PSVs used without PSV operators' licences
s.012 Power to stop
s.013 Classification of licences. (opens in a new tab)
s.014 Grant of licences (opens in a new tab)
s.014 Objections to application for PSV operator’s licence.
s.014 Requirements for standard licences
s.014 Requirements for restricted licences
s.014 Requirements for standard and restricted licences
s.015 Duration of licences. (opens in a new tab)
s.016 Conditions attached to licences. (opens in a new tab)
s.017 Revocation, suspension (opens in a new tab)
s.017 Assessors to assist traffic commissioners.
s.018 Duty to exhibit operator’s disc. (opens in a new tab)
s.019 Duty to inform traffic commissioners of relevant convictions etc. (opens in a new tab)
s.020 Duty to give traffic commissioners information about vehicles. (opens in a new tab)
s.021 Certificates of qualification. (opens in a new tab)
s.022 Drivers’ licences. (opens in a new tab)
s.023 Appeals to courts of summary jurisdiction in connection with driver’s licences. (opens in a new tab)
s.023 Northern Ireland drivers’ licences.
s.024 Regulation of conduct of drivers, inspectors and conductors. (opens in a new tab)
s.025 Regulation of conduct of passengers. (opens in a new tab)
s.026 Control of number of passengers. (opens in a new tab)
s.027 Returns to be provided by persons operating public service vehicles. (opens in a new tab)
s.028 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (opens in a new tab)
s.029 Avoidance of contracts so far as restrictive of liability in respect of death of or injury to passengers in public service vehicles. (opens in a new tab)
Part 3

0 of 1 section shown
1 other section in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.030 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (opens in a new tab)
Part 4

0 of 5 sections shown
5 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.042 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (opens in a new tab)
s.046 Fare-paying passengers on school buses. (opens in a new tab)
s.047 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (opens in a new tab)
s.049 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (opens in a new tab)
s.049 Review of decisions.
Part 5

Miscellaneous and Supplementary

0 of 43 sections shown
43 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.050 Appeals to the Upper Tribunal (opens in a new tab)
s.051 Appeals to the Secretary of State. (opens in a new tab)
s.052 Fees for grant of licences etc. (opens in a new tab)
s.053 Payment of expenses. (opens in a new tab)
s.054 Inquiries held by traffic commissioners. (opens in a new tab)
s.055 Annual report of traffic commissioners and metropolitan police commissioner. (opens in a new tab)
s.056 Records of licences. (opens in a new tab)
s.056 Correction of errors
s.057 Death, bankruptcy etc. of licence holder. (opens in a new tab)
s.058 Partnerships and related matters. (opens in a new tab)
s.059 Power to make regulations as to procedure on applications for licences. (opens in a new tab)
s.060 General power to make regulations for purposes of Act. (opens in a new tab)
s.061 Exercise of regulation making powers and parliamentary control thereof. (opens in a new tab)
s.062 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (opens in a new tab)
s.063 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (opens in a new tab)
s.064 Exclusion of certain enactments as respects Metropolitan Traffic Area. (opens in a new tab)
s.065 Forgery and misuse of documents etc. (opens in a new tab)
s.066 False statements to obtain licence etc. (opens in a new tab)
s.066 Issue of false documents.
s.067 Penalty for breach of regulations. (opens in a new tab)
s.068 Defences available to persons charged with certain offences. (opens in a new tab)
s.069 Restriction on institution in England and Wales of proceedings under Part II or III. (opens in a new tab)
s.070 Duty to give information as to identity of driver in certain cases. (opens in a new tab)
s.071 Evidence by certificate. (opens in a new tab)
s.072 Proof in summary proceedings of identity of driver of vehicle. (opens in a new tab)
s.073 Time within which summary proceedings for certain offences may be commenced. (opens in a new tab)
s.074 Offences by companies. (opens in a new tab)
s.075 Destination of fines. (opens in a new tab)
s.076 General power to hold inquiries. (opens in a new tab)
s.077 General provisions as to inquiries. (opens in a new tab)
s.078 Power of Minister to modify or revoke restrictions in local Acts. (opens in a new tab)
s.079 Vehicles excluded from regulation as private hire vehicles. (opens in a new tab)
s.079 Small PSVs subject to regulation as private hire vehicles.
s.080 Construction of references to traffic areas. (opens in a new tab)
s.081 Interpretation of references to the operator of a vehicle or service. (opens in a new tab)
s.082 General interpretation provisions. (opens in a new tab)
s.083 Construction of references in other Acts etc. to public service vehicles, licensing authorities etc. (opens in a new tab)
s.084 Protection of public interests. (opens in a new tab)
s.085 Saving for law of nuisance. (opens in a new tab)
s.086 Saving for sections 16 and 17 of the Interpretation Act 1978. (opens in a new tab)
s.087 Power of Secretary of State to repeal section 10 of this Act. (opens in a new tab)
s.088 Transitional provisions, consequential amendments and repeals. (opens in a new tab)
s.089 Short title, commencement and extent. (opens in a new tab)
Schedules

Schedules

12 of 74 shown
s.sch001 The making of the agreement for the payment of separate... Regulated
  • Do not initiate separate-fare agreements if you are the driver, owner, or booking agentLandlord
s.sch002 If a traffic commissioner acquires a financial interest in a... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Traffic commissioners must disclose any new financial interest in a road transport businessStatutory regulator
s.sch002a Regulations must provide that— (a) if a traffic commissioner determines... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Traffic Commissioner must order vehicle return if grounds metTribunal / Court
s.sch002a (1) Regulations must provide for an appeal to the Upper... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Regulations must provide appeal right to Upper Tribunal against traffic commissioner decisionsCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch002a (1) Regulations must provide that while any property is in... Regulated
  • Take steps to keep property safe while in custodyAny Person
s.sch002a (1) Regulations must provide for the proceeds of sale of... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Regulations must specify how proceeds of property sales are used and allow claims by former ownersCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch002a Regulations may provide that a person who intentionally obstructs an... Prosecution
  • Intentionally obstruct an authorised personAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.sch002a (1) Regulations may provide that a person is guilty of... Prosecution
  • Make a false declaration to secure return of a vehicleAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.sch002a (1) Regulations may provide that, before a vehicle is removed... Regulated
  • Do not remove or tamper with immobilisation devices or notices on detained vehiclesAny Person
s.sch002a (1) Regulations may provide that a person— Prosecution
  • Remove or tamper with an immobilisation device without authorisationAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.sch003 (1) ... an individual shall be regarded as professionally competent... Regulated
  • Meet professional competence requirements for PSV operator licenceTrader
s.sch003 (1) A traffic commissioner must not in any proceedings under... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Traffic Commissioner must give notice and consider representations before adverse finding against transport managerStatutory regulator
62 other schedules
s.sch001 (1) The journey must be made without previous advertisement to...
s.sch001 Public Service Vehicles: Conditions Affecting Status or Classification
s.sch001 Public Service Vehicles: Conditions Affecting Status or Classification
s.sch001 Arrangements for the bringing together of all the passengers for...
s.sch001 The journey must be made without previous advertisement to the...
s.sch001 All passengers must, in the case of a journey to...
s.sch001 No differentiation of fares for the journey on the basis...
s.sch001 For the purposes of paragraphs 2 and 6 above no...
s.sch002 The Secretary of State may remove a traffic commissioner from...
s.sch002 (1) The Secretary of State may appoint such number of...
s.sch002 Paragraphs 3 to 5 below have effect in relation to...
s.sch002 In the case of illness, incapacity or absence of a...
s.sch002 If the Secretary of State considers that the duties to...
s.sch002 A person appointed under paragraph 4 above shall be appointed...
s.sch002 (1) Where the office of any traffic commissioner for England...
s.sch002 (1) Where the office of traffic commissioner for any traffic...
s.sch002 Subject to the approval of the Treasury, the Secretary of...
s.sch002 (1) There shall be paid to a traffic commissioner and...
s.sch002 The principal civil service pension scheme (within the meaning of...
s.sch002a (1) In this Schedule— “ authorised person ” means— an...
s.sch002a (1) Regulations must make provision— (a) enabling a traffic commissioner...
s.sch002a Regulations may provide that, if no application is made to...
s.sch002a (1) Regulations may provide that the nominated custodian may retain...
s.sch002a (1) Regulations may make provision about the proceedings to be...
s.sch002a (1) Regulations may provide that where an authorised person has...
s.sch002a (1) Regulations may, in connection with the detaining of a...
s.sch002a (1) Regulations may make provision for an authorised person to...
s.sch002a (1) This paragraph applies in relation to any property—
s.sch002a Regulations may make provision authorising a vehicle detained by virtue...
s.sch002a (1) Regulations must make provision enabling the owner of a...
s.sch003 (1) In determining whether an individual is of good repute,...
s.sch003 Supplementary Provision as to Qualifications for Operator’s Licence
s.sch003 (1) Being of appropriate financial standing in relation to an...
s.sch003 References in Part II of this Act to professional competence...
s.sch003 Where an individual is not himself professionally competent, the requirement...
s.sch003 Supplementary Provision as to Qualifications for Operator’s Licence
s.sch003 (1) In paragraph 6 above— (a) “approved body” means—
s.sch003 (1) In proceedings under this Act or the 2009 Regulation...
s.sch003 (1) A traffic commissioner may, subject to sub-paragraph (2), at...
s.sch003 Supplementary Provision as to Qualifications for Operator’s Licence
s.sch003 Supplementary Provision as to Qualifications for Operator’s Licence
s.sch006 Where a period of time specified in an enactment repealed...
s.sch006 Where any provision of the Transport Act 1980 which is...
s.sch006 A certificate of fitness issued in respect of a vehicle...
s.sch006 For the purposes of subsection (1) of section 6 of...
s.sch007 In section 4(4) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act...
s.sch007 In section 159(1) of that Act— (a) in the definition...
s.sch007 In section 23 of the Transport (London) Act 1969—
s.sch007 Consequential Amendments
s.sch007 In section 4(2)(b) of the Road Traffic (Foreign Vehicles) Act...
s.sch007 In section 7(1) of that Act— (a) . . ....
s.sch007 In Schedule 1 to that Act for the words “Section...
s.sch007 In section 63(3)(b) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act...
s.sch007 In section 7(1) of the Local Government (Omnibus Shelters and...
s.sch007 In section 80(1) of that Act, in the definition of...
s.sch007 In paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the Energy Act...
s.sch007 In paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 to that Act for...
s.sch007 In section 1(2)(a) of the Transport Act 1978 for the...
s.sch007 Consequential Amendments
s.sch007 In section 92 of the Finance Act 1965, in the...
s.sch007 Consequential Amendments
s.sch007 Consequential Amendments

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Run a bus or coach business: licensing and compliance

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