Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984
What this means for your business
- Enforced by
- Mining Remediation Authority, National Highways, Natural England
- Applies to
- United Kingdom
- On this page
- 27 compliance obligations, 2 practical guides
What you must do
27 compliance obligations under this legislation — 1 can result in imprisonment.
Management duties 2
Drive vehicles within class‑specific speed limits
Unlimited fineYou must make sure any vehicle your business uses is not driven faster than the maximum speed set for its class in the Road Traffic Regulation Act and any regulations. Check the speed limit for each vehicle type, inform drivers, and put systems in place (such as training or speed‑limiting devices) to prevent excess speed.
Keep off‑street parking licence compliant
If you hold a permanent off‑street parking licence you must keep the parking spaces available to the public and complete any required development on time. Failure to do so for the periods set out in the law (e.g. two years without spaces, three‑seven years without starting or finishing development) lets the local authority revoke or vary your licence.
Offences and prohibitions 25
Aid or encourage a road traffic offence
6 months imprisonmentIf you or anyone acting for your business helps, encourages, advises or otherwise enables another person to break a road traffic rule covered by the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, you can be prosecuted as if you committed the offence yourself. On conviction you face the same fine, prison term or other penalty that would apply to the original offender.
Breach licence conditions for off‑street parking
If you run a public off‑street car park in Greater London you must hold a licence from the local authority and obey all the conditions on that licence (number of spaces, charges, opening times, record‑keeping, etc.). Failing to follow any of those conditions – for example charging the wrong rate or not keeping the required daily records – is a criminal offence. On conviction the court can order the licence to be revoked (and the park must then cease operating).
Breach of parking place order or tamper with parking meters
If you fail to follow an order that governs an off‑street parking place – for example by parking contrary to the rules, interfering with a parking‑meter or other payment device, or operating the device in an unauthorised way – you commit a criminal offence. The same offence applies if, while a vehicle is parked, you or any employee tries to ply it for hire or take passengers for hire. Conviction can result in a fine and/or imprisonment, with the court deciding the appropriate level.
Breach pedestrian crossing regulations
If you or anyone acting for your business ignores or violates any pedestrian‑crossing regulation made under this section – for example a rule that forbids pedestrians on the carriageway within 100 yards of a crossing or a requirement to install signage – you commit a criminal offence. A conviction can lead to a fine and, in more serious cases, imprisonment, as determined by the court. The exact penalty is not set out in the provision itself and will depend on the court’s sentencing powers.
Cause a vehicle to park in a prohibited loading area
If you (or anyone acting for your business) cause a vehicle to be in a loading area at a time when the council’s order says parking is not allowed, and you have no reasonable excuse, you commit a criminal offence. The offence can be prosecuted, leading to a fine and possibly imprisonment, depending on the court’s decision.
Contravene a road designation order
Unlimited fineIf you (or someone you control) use a vehicle in breach of the rules set out in a designation order made under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 – whether the order relates to the purposes listed in section 2(2) or to allowing free parking on a road – you commit a criminal offence. The same applies if a vehicle is parked where the order permits free use but the order’s conditions are broken. Conviction can lead to a fine, imprisonment or both, depending on how the offence is later classified by the courts.
Drive a vehicle in breach of a road restriction order
If you drive a vehicle, or allow one to be driven, on a road where an order made under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 has prohibited or restricted that use, you commit a criminal offence. A conviction can result in a fine (the amount is set by the courts or regulations) and, in more serious cases, a term of imprisonment.
Exceed the speed limit when driving a vehicle
If a driver of a motor vehicle on a road goes faster than the legal speed limit, they commit a criminal offence. An employer who issues timetables or directions that make it impossible to complete a journey without speeding can also be prosecuted for inciting the offence. Conviction can lead to an unlimited fine and, in serious cases, imprisonment.
Fail to comply with adjudicator's request for evidence or attendance
Fine up to £500If you are required to attend an appeal hearing or produce documents for an adjudicator under the vehicle removal regulations and you do not comply, you commit a criminal offence. On conviction you face a summary‑court fine of up to £500.
Fail to comply with excess parking charge notice
If you receive a notice about an excess parking charge and you do not pay the charge or you fail to send the required statutory statement of ownership before the deadline, you commit an offence. Likewise, if you knowingly submit a false statement in response to the notice, that is also an offence. Conviction can lead to fines and/or imprisonment, the exact penalties being set elsewhere in the Act.
Fail to comply with experimental traffic order
If you or anyone acting for your business ignores or breaches an experimental traffic order (for example a temporary speed limit, lane restriction or other trial road rule), you commit a criminal offence. Conviction can attract a fine and/or imprisonment, the exact amount or term being set by the court. The offence can be dealt with in the magistrates’ court (summary) but may also be tried in the Crown Court depending on the seriousness.
Fail to give driver or rider identity information
If a vehicle you keep is alleged to have committed a traffic offence, the police or the relevant local authority can require you to disclose the name of the driver (or rider). Failing to provide that information, or refusing to give any details you can, is a criminal offence. Conviction can lead to a fine and/or imprisonment, although the exact maximum penalties are set elsewhere in the Act.
Fail to stop for school crossing patrol
If a driver is told by a school crossing patrol’s sign to stop before a crossing and does not stop, or if the driver moves the vehicle again while the sign is still being shown, that driver commits a criminal offence. Businesses must make sure any employee driving a vehicle obeys the patrol’s sign, or the company could face prosecution. A conviction can result in a court‑imposed fine and a court appearance.
Mishandle parking permits or tickets
Unlimited fineIf you use, lend, allow the use of, possess or forge any parking device, ticket, permit, certificate or token with the intention of deceiving, or if you knowingly make a false statement to obtain such authorisation, you commit a criminal offence. Conviction can result in a fine (often unlimited) and may also carry a term of imprisonment.
Park or leave a vehicle in a designated place without authorisation
Fine up to £1,000If you or any employee drives a vehicle into a designated parking place (for example, a council‑run car park) and either parks it contrary to the parking order, stays longer than the time you have paid for, or fails to pay the required charge, you commit a criminal offence. The court can order you to pay any unpaid charge as a penalty, and further sanctions may apply. The offence applies to any person, including drivers of company vehicles.
Tamper with parking meters or display devices
If you deliberately interfere with a parking meter, other parking apparatus, or a parking disc – for example by damaging it, operating it incorrectly, or displaying a disc in the wrong way – with the intention of defrauding, you commit a criminal offence. A business or its staff who do this can be prosecuted and face a fine and/or imprisonment.
Tamper with vehicle immobilisation device or notice
If a police officer has immobilised a vehicle that is illegally parked, you must not remove the immobilisation device or the notice attached to the vehicle unless you are authorised by the chief police officer. Doing so – or attempting to do so – is a criminal offence. Conviction can lead to a fine (potentially unlimited) and, in the most serious cases, imprisonment.
Use a vehicle against a one‑way order on a trunk road
Unlimited fineIf you or your business uses a vehicle, or allows a vehicle to be used, on a trunk road in the opposite direction to that set out in a statutory one‑way order, you commit a criminal offence. Conviction can lead to a fine and possibly imprisonment, although the exact limits are set by the courts and are not detailed in this section.
Use a vehicle in breach of a road restriction
If you (or someone you allow to use a vehicle) drive on a road where a temporary prohibition or restriction under s.14 has been placed, you commit a criminal offence. Conviction can lead to a fine and possibly imprisonment, depending on how the courts class the offence. It applies to any person or business that controls or permits the use of vehicles on the road.
Use a vehicle in breach of a traffic regulation order
Unlimited fineIf you or anyone acting for you drives a vehicle contrary to a traffic regulation order – for example ignoring a prohibited turn, speed limit, weight restriction or other local traffic rule – you commit a criminal offence. A conviction can attract an unlimited fine and, in more serious cases, a term of imprisonment.
Use a vehicle in breach of a traffic restriction order
If you drive a vehicle, or allow someone else to drive it, where a traffic order made under section 16A (for example a road closure or speed restriction for a special event) prohibits it, you commit a criminal offence. A conviction can lead to a fine and/or imprisonment, depending on how the courts classify the offence.
Use a vehicle on a road prohibited as a playground
Unlimited fineIf a local traffic authority has made an order that a road is to be used as a playground and restricts or bans vehicle traffic, any person who drives a vehicle there in breach of that order commits an offence. Businesses must make sure drivers check for such orders and avoid the road during prohibited periods. Conviction can lead to a fine and, in serious cases, imprisonment.
Use a vehicle on a road prohibited as a playground
Unlimited fineIf a London borough or the City of London makes an order that bans or restricts vehicles on a road being used as a children's playground, anyone who drives, lets or permits a vehicle to be on that road commits an offence. Business owners must ensure their drivers do not use such roads. Conviction can lead to an unlimited fine and possibly imprisonment.
Use disabled parking badge without proper authority
If you display a disabled‑person’s badge on a vehicle that is not a genuine, valid badge (for example a fake badge, a cancelled badge or one that should have been returned) and use the vehicle in a place where a disabled‑person concession applies, you commit a criminal offence. A conviction can lead to a fine and/or imprisonment, and the case may be tried in either a magistrates’ court or Crown Court.
Use special road in breach of traffic regulations
If you (or your employees) drive on a motor‑way or other designated special road without being authorised for that class of traffic, or you ignore any regulation made for that road (such as speed limits, access restrictions or emergency‑use provisions), you commit a criminal offence. A conviction can lead to a fine and possibly a custodial sentence, the exact limits being set by the courts or later regulations.
Penalties for non-compliance
29 penalties under this legislation. 1 can result in imprisonment. 9 carry an unlimited fine.
Aid or encourage a road traffic offence
Unlimited fine and/or 6 months imprisonment
Drive vehicles within class‑specific speed limits
Unlimited fine
Fail to comply with a traffic regulation order
Unlimited fine
Contravene a road designation order
Unlimited fine
Mishandle parking permits or tickets
Unlimited fine
Use a vehicle against a one‑way order on a trunk road
Unlimited fine
Use a vehicle in breach of a traffic regulation order
Unlimited fine
Use a vehicle on a road prohibited as a playground
Unlimited fine
Use a vehicle on a road prohibited as a playground
Unlimited fine
Park or leave a vehicle in a designated place without authorisation
Fine up to £1,000
Fail to comply with adjudicator's request for evidence or attendance
Fine up to £500
Breach licence conditions for off‑street parking
Penalty applies
Breach of parking place order or tamper with parking meters
Penalty applies
Breach pedestrian crossing regulations
Penalty applies
Cause a vehicle to park in a prohibited loading area
Penalty applies
Drive a vehicle in breach of a road restriction order
Penalty applies
Exceed the speed limit when driving a vehicle
Penalty applies
Fail to comply with excess parking charge notice
Penalty applies
Fail to comply with experimental traffic order
Penalty applies
Fail to give driver or rider identity information
Penalty applies
Fail to stop for school crossing patrol
Penalty applies
Fail to deliver requested vehicle documents to authorised officer
Penalty applies
Tamper with parking meters or display devices
Penalty applies
Park vehicle in a meter bay without a valid exemption
Penalty applies
Tamper with vehicle immobilisation device or notice
Penalty applies
Use a vehicle in breach of a road restriction
Penalty applies
Use a vehicle in breach of a traffic restriction order
Penalty applies
Use disabled parking badge without proper authority
Penalty applies
Use special road in breach of traffic regulations
Penalty applies
Practical guidance
Our guides explain how to comply with the requirements above.
Carry out works affecting the strategic road network
How to obtain National Highways approval before carrying out works on or adjacent to motorways and trunk roads in England. …
Set up traffic management for road works
How to plan and set up traffic management for road works in England, Wales, and Scotland. Covers Chapter 8 signing …
Sections and provisions
190 classified provisions from this legislation.
Duties 11
- s.23 Powers of strategic highways companies and local traffic authorities with respect to pedestrian crossings a strategic highways company …
- s.24 Pedestrian crossings on other roads.
- s.46 Charges at, and regulation of, designated parking places. local authority
- s.55 Financial provisions relating to designation orders. A local authority
- s.73 Powers and duties of local traffic authorities in Greater London in respect of traffic signs. traffic sign
- s.85 Traffic signs for indicating speed restrictions. such regulations
- s.86 Speed limits for particular classes of vehicles. It
- s.100 Interim disposal of vehicles removed under s. 99. that authority
- s.122 Exercise of functions by strategic highways companies or local authorities. other matters appearing
- s.124C Certification and records of GLA side roads.
- Schedule 4 Control of Off-Street Parking and the local authority
Offences and penalties 30
- s.5 Contravention of traffic regulation order.
- s.8 Contravention of order under s. 6.
- s.11 Contravention of experimental traffic order.
- Schedule 12 Introductory
- s.16 Supplementary provisions as to orders and notices under s. 14.
- s.16C Supplementary provisions as to orders under s. 16A.
- s.17 Traffic regulation on special roads.
- s.18 One-way traffic on trunk roads.
- s.20 Prohibition or restriction of use of vehicles on roads of certain classes.
- s.25 Pedestrian crossing regulations.
- s.28 Stopping of vehicles at school crossings.
- s.29 Power to prohibit traffic on roads to be used as playgrounds.
- s.30 Similar power for local authorities in Greater London.
- s.35A Offences and proceedings in connection with parking places provided under s. 32 or 33.
- s.43 Control of off-street parking in Greater London.
- s.47 Offences relating to designated parking places.
- s.52 Offences and proceedings in connection with parking devices and associated apparatus.
- s.53 Designation orders outside Greater London.
- s.61 Loading areas.
- s.89 Speeding offences generally.
- ... and 10 more offences and penalties
Powers 58
- s.4 Provisions supplementary to ss. 2 and 3.
- s.9 Experimental traffic orders.
- s.10 Supplementary provisions as to experimental traffic orders.
- s.13A Temporary suspension of provisions under s. 6 or 9 orders.
- s.14 Temporary prohibition or restriction on roads.
- s.16A Prohibition or restriction on roads in connection with certain events.
- s.17A Further provisions as to special roads.
- s.19 Regulation of use of highways by public service vehicles.
- s.22A Traffic regulation on certain roads for purpose of conserving natural beauty.
- s.22CA Section 22C: power to impose charges
- s.22BB Traffic regulation on byways etc. in National Parks in England and Wales
- s.22B Traffic regulation on long distance routes
- s.22 Traffic regulation for special areas in the countryside.
- s.31 Byelaws with respect to roads used as playgrounds.
- s.32 Power of local authorities to provide parking places.
- s.33 Additional powers of local authorities in connection with off-street parking places.
- s.35B Display of information.
- s.35 Provisions as to use of parking places provided under s. 32 or 33.
- s.35C Variation of charges at off-street parking places.
- s.36 Provisions as to authorising use of roads for parking.
- ... and 38 more powers
Definitions 32
- s.1 Traffic regulation orders outside Greater London. relevant bus scheme facilities relevant bus scheme measures
- s.7 Supplementary provisions as to orders under s. 6.
- Schedule 8 Statutory Statements (Excess Charges) the specified sections
- s.21 Permit for trailer to carry excess weight.
- s.22BC Section 22BB: supplementary relevant order prescribed
- s.22C Terrorism terrorism
- s.26 Arrangements for patrolling school crossings.
- s.34 Provision of access to premises through off-street parking place.
- s.51 Parking devices for designated parking places. parking device
- s.60 Supplementary provisions relating to ss. 57–59. road owner public path
- s.63A Parking attendants.
- s.64 General provisions as to traffic signs. traffic sign
- s.74A London borough councils and the London traffic control system. the London traffic control system traffic control system traffic light installations
- s.74C The traffic authority for traffic signs.
- s.80 References to highway authorities in Part V.
- s.82 What roads are restricted roads.
- s.96 Additional powers of traffic wardens.
- s.101A Right of owner to recover vehicle or proceeds of sale
- s.111 Supplementary provisions as to excess charges.
- s.121A Traffic authorities. local traffic authority
- ... and 12 more definitions
Exemptions 25
- Schedule 1 Matters as to which Orders can be made under Section 6
- s.2 What a traffic regulation order may provide.
- s.3 Restrictions on traffic regulation orders.
- s.6 Orders similar to traffic regulation orders.
- Schedule 6 Speed Limits for Vehicles of Certain Classes
- s.15 Duration of orders and notices under s.14.
- s.22D Section 22C: supplemental
- s.37 Extension of powers for purposes of general scheme of traffic control.
- s.38 Parking place to be used as bus or coach station.
- s.39 Supplementary provisions as to exercise of powers under ss. 32–35 in England or Wales.
- s.58 Consents for purposes of s. 57(1).
- s.67 Emergencies and temporary obstructions.
- s.77 Traffic signs: modifications as respects trunk roads.
- s.84 Speed limits on roads other than restricted roads.
- s.87 Exemption of fire brigade, ambulance and police vehicles from speed limits.
- s.88 Temporary speed limits.
- s.97 Supplementary provisions as to traffic wardens.
- s.102 Charges for removal, storage and disposal of vehicles.
- s.107 Liability of vehicle owner in respect of excess parking charge.
- s.121C Functions of GLA under this Act to be exercisable by the Mayor.
- ... and 5 more exemptions