UK Act of Parliament 1984 United Kingdom

Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

At a glance

Enforced by

National Highways

What's here

37 compliance obligations, 2 practical guides · 2 journeys

Penalty landscape

12 of 37 obligations carry an unlimited fine. 15 carry different penalties and 10 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 26
  • Employer 1

Plus 10 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 guides

Mentioned in related content

1 guides

Other 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 2338 other Acts (top 5 shown)
Employers also bound by 694 other Acts (top 5 shown)

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 — General Provisions for Traffic Regulation

Browse 12 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part 2A — Licensing of providers of micromobility vehicles in England

Browse 9 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
s.022

Provision of micromobility vehicles must be licensed

s.022

Micromobility vehicles

s.022

Exemptions

s.022

Regulations about licences under this Part

s.022

Licensing authorities

s.022

Information

s.022

Proceedings in respect of offences by bodies corporate and partnerships etc

s.022

Regulations

s.022

Interpretation

Part II — Traffic Regulation in Special Cases

s.016

Supplementary provisions as to orders under s. 16A.

Fine up to £1,000
  • Use a vehicle in breach of a traffic restriction order Any Person
Browse 15 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
s.016

Prohibition or restriction on roads in connection with certain events.

s.016

Restrictions on orders under s. 16A.

s.017

Further provisions as to special roads.

s.022

Traffic regulation on certain roads for purpose of conserving natural beauty.

s.022

Traffic regulation on long distance routes

s.022

Traffic regulation on byways etc. in National Parks in England and Wales

s.022

Section 22BB: supplementary

s.022

Terrorism

s.022

Section 22C: power to impose charges

s.022

Section 22C: supplemental

Part III — Crossings and Playgrounds

s.024

Pedestrian crossings on other roads.

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • National authority must establish and maintain pedestrian crossings Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 3 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part IV — Parking Places

s.035

Offences and proceedings in connection with parking places provided under s. 32 or 33.

Unlimited fine
  • Breach of parking place order or tamper with parking meters Any Person
s.061

Loading areas.

Fine up to £1,000
  • Park an unauthorized vehicle in a designated loading area Any Person
Browse 29 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
s.035

Display of information.

s.035

Variation of charges at off-street parking places.

s.046

Variation of charges at designated parking places.

s.063

Parking attendants.

Part V — Traffic Signs

Browse 19 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part VI — Speed Limits

Browse 8 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part VII — Bollards and Other Obstructions

Browse 4 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part VIII — Control and Enforcement

s.101

Right of owner to recover vehicle or proceeds of sale

Amended 21 times
s.101

Representations and appeals

Fine up to £500 Amended 21 times
  • Fail to comply with adjudicator's request for evidence or attendance Any Person
Browse 9 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part IX — Further Provisions as to Enforcement

s.119

Aiding and abetting.

Unlimited fine
  • Help or encourage another person to break road traffic laws Any Person
Browse 4 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part X — General and Supplementary Provisions

s.122

Prospective exercise of powers.

Amended 18 times
s.124

GLA side roads.

Amended 5 times
s.124

Orders of the Authority changing what are GLA side roads.

Amended 5 times
s.124

Certification and records of GLA side roads.

Amended 5 times
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • TfL must maintain and publish records of GLA side roads Statutory regulator
Browse 19 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
s.121

Traffic authorities.

s.121

London borough council exercising powers so as to affect another traffic authority’s roads.

s.121

Functions of GLA under this Act to be exercisable by the Mayor.

s.132

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

s.132

Royal Parks or highways in London affected by proposals relating to the other.

s.141

Tramcars and trolley vehicles: regulations.

Schedules

s.012

Introductory

Fine up to £1,000
  • Interfere with a fixed penalty notice on a vehicle Any Person
s.sch004

Control of Off-Street Parking

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Local authorities must follow a 12-week consultation process for parking rules Local authority
Browse 200 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
s.sch001

For prescribing the routes to be followed by all classes...

s.sch001

For prescribing rules as to precedence to be observed as...

s.sch001

For prescribing the conditions subject to which, and the times...

s.sch001

For requiring the erection, exhibition or removal of traffic notices,...

s.sch001

Broken down vehicles.

s.sch001

Vehicles, or vehicles of any class, when unattended.

s.sch001

Places in streets where vehicles, or vehicles of any class,...

s.sch001

Cabs and hackney carriages not hired and being in a...

s.sch001

For restricting the use of vehicles and animals, and sandwichmen...

s.sch001

The lighting and guarding of street works.

s.sch001

The erection or placing or the removal of any works...

s.sch001

For prescribing streets which are not to be used for...

s.sch001

Queues of persons waiting in streets.

s.sch001

Priority of entry to public vehicles.

s.sch001

For enabling any police, local or other public authority to...

s.sch001

For regulating the relative position in the roadway of traffic...

s.sch001

For prescribing the places where vehicles, or vehicles of any...

s.sch001

For prescribing the conditions subject to which, and the times...

s.sch001

For prescribing the number and maximum size and weight of...

s.sch001

For prescribing the conditions subject to which, and the times...

s.sch001

For prescribing the conditions subject to which, and the times...

s.sch001

For prescribing the conditions subject to which, and the times...

s.sch002

Prescribing the routes to be followed by traffic from one...

s.sch002

Making provision as to cab ranks, and as to ranks...

s.sch002

Prescribing streets which are not to be used for traffic....

s.sch002

Regulating the relative position in the roadway of traffic of...

s.sch002

Prescribing the places where vehicles may not turn so as...

s.sch002

Prescribing the conditions subject to which, and the times at...

s.sch002

Prescribing the conditions subject to which, and the times at...

s.sch002

Prescribing rules as to precedence to be observed as between...

s.sch002

Making provision as to vehicles when unattended.

s.sch002

Making provision as to places in streets where vehicles may,...

s.sch003a

Introduction

s.sch003a

Fees

s.sch003a

Offences

s.sch003a

Licence conditions

s.sch003a

Duration, renewal, suspension and revocation of licence

s.sch003a

Variation and transfer of licence

s.sch003a

Licence applications etc: process

s.sch003a

(1) Regulations may make provision about the process for suspending...

s.sch003a

Monitoring

s.sch003a

Financial penalties

s.sch003a

Decisions: reconsideration and appeals

s.sch004

Before deciding to propose the making of regulations under section...

s.sch004

If at any time it appears to the local authority...

s.sch004

If in the case of a licensed parking place which...

s.sch004

(1) Where at the date when the licence was granted...

s.sch004

Where notice under paragraph 9, 10, 11 or 12(1) above...

s.sch004

(1) If a person who is, or who proposes to...

s.sch004

The Secretary of State shall not be required to entertain...

s.sch004

(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, before determining an appeal...

s.sch004

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provisions...

s.sch004

(1) On an appeal being brought under this Part of...

s.sch004

Where a person who, at the date when the area...

s.sch004

As soon as may be after the date specified by...

s.sch004

Where— (a) at the date when notice of a proposal...

s.sch004

Paragraph 22 below shall apply to any decision of the...

s.sch004

(1) If, on a claim made to the local authority...

s.sch004

Where notice of appeal from any such decision of the...

s.sch004

Where, in the case of a decision of the local...

s.sch004

Where, at the date when any area first becomes a...

s.sch004

Where in pursuance of the application referred to in sub-paragraph...

s.sch004

Where the operator of a public off-street parking place who...

s.sch004

In the case of any proposal, the Secretary of State...

s.sch004

(1) Where in the case of any proposal the Secretary...

s.sch004

(1) In the case of any proposal, the local authority...

s.sch004

In deciding in the case of any proposal whether or...

s.sch004

Subject to the provisions of Parts III and IV of...

s.sch004

If at any time it appears to the local authority...

s.sch004

If at any time it appears to the local authority...

s.sch006

This Schedule does not apply to a vehicle which is...

s.sch006

In this Schedule— “agricultural motor vehicle” “articulated vehicle”, “dual-purpose vehicle”,...

s.sch006

The specification as regards springs and wings mentioned in item...

s.sch006

(1) A vehicle falling in two or more classes specified...

s.sch008

For the purposes of the specified sections, a statutory statement...

s.sch008

For the purposes of the specified sections, a statutory statement...

s.sch008

For the purposes of the specified sections, a statutory statement...

s.sch008

In this Schedule “the specified sections” has the meaning assigned...

s.sch008

Subsections (2) to (4) of that section shall have effect...

s.sch008

In paragraph 2 above “statement of liability”, “hiring agreement” and...

s.sch009

Subject to paragraphs 8 and 26 of this Schedule, the...

s.sch009

Where the Secretary of State— (a) gives a direction under...

s.sch009

Reserve Powers of Secretary of State

s.sch009

Where the Secretary of State— (a) gives a direction under...

s.sch009

A power conferred upon the Scottish Ministers by this Schedule,...

s.sch009

A power conferred upon the Secretary of State by this...

s.sch009

(1) Where in the case of any order proposed to...

s.sch009

(1) Where in the case of any order proposed to...

s.sch009

(1) This paragraph applies where a strategic highways company proposes,...

s.sch009

(1) The Secretary of State may by order add to...

s.sch009

(1) The Scottish Ministers may by order add to or...

s.sch009

(1) In consenting to any order submitted for consent under...

s.sch009

(1) The Secretary of State or the Scottish Ministers may...

s.sch009

The power of the Secretary of State to make an...

s.sch009

In this Part of this Schedule “principal road” means a...

s.sch009

A direction under this paragraph is a direction either—

s.sch009

(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, before making make an...

s.sch009

As respects orders of a strategic highways company or a...

s.sch009

(1) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph 21 above,...

s.sch009

(1) The Secretary of State, after consultation with the council...

s.sch009

The national authority may make regulations with respect to the...

s.sch009

Any regulations under this Part of this Schedule may make...

s.sch009

(1) Before giving any authority a direction under paragraph 2...

s.sch009

(1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) , (2A), (3) and (4)...

s.sch009

For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that,...

s.sch009

Nothing in paragraph 8 of this Schedule shall prevent the...

s.sch009

(1) Any power to make an order conferred on ....

s.sch009

This Part of this Schedule applies to any order made...

s.sch009

Before making an order to which this Part of this...

s.sch009

If the order is required to be submitted for consent...

s.sch009

Paragraphs 31 and 32 above shall have effect without prejudice...

s.sch009

(1) This Part of this Schedule applies—

s.sch009

If any person desires to question the validity of, or...

s.sch009

(1) On any application under this Part of this Schedule...

s.sch009

Except as provided by this Part of this Schedule, an...

s.sch009

Where the national authority has made an order by virtue...

s.sch009

(1) Paragraphs 1 to 4 above shall have effect in...

s.sch009

(1) Where by virtue of paragraph 3 above a parking...

s.sch009

(1) Subject to paragraph 8 below, the national authority ,...

s.sch009

The national authority shall not give any direction under paragraph...

s.sch009

The national authority may make an order under paragraph 7...

s.sch010

(1) In this Schedule “the 1967 Act” means the Road...

s.sch010

(1) The power conferred on a local authority by section...

s.sch010

(1) The repeal by this Act of Schedule 8 to...

s.sch010

Transitional Provisions and Savings

s.sch010

Nothing in subsections (1) to (3B) of section 35 or...

s.sch010

(1) A direction in an order made under section 1...

s.sch010

Any limit of speed which was in force on 1st...

s.sch010

(1) This paragraph applies to any road which—

s.sch010

(1) The repeal of this Act by any enactment shall...

s.sch010

Transitional Provisions and Savings

s.sch010

For the purposes of the application of any provisions of...

s.sch010

Where any enactment or document refers, whether specifically or by...

s.sch010

Transitional Provisions and Savings

s.sch010

Any reference in this Act (whether express or implied) to...

s.sch010

(1) Without prejudice to paragraph 3 above, any reference in...

s.sch010

Without prejudice to paragraphs 3 and 4 above, any power...

s.sch010

Where a period of time specified in an enactment repealed...

s.sch010

Any byelaw made under section 104 of the Roads and...

s.sch010

Transitional Provisions and Savings

s.sch010

(1) Subsections (2) and (3) of section 23 of this...

s.sch012

In this Schedule (which is a re-enactment of section 80...

s.sch012

(1) A notice under paragraph 5(6) of this Schedule may...

s.sch012

(1) In this Schedule— “appropriate period”, in relation to a...

s.sch012

For the purposes of the provisions of the Interpretation Act...

s.sch012

(1) This Schedule shall extend only to such areas as...

s.sch012

(1) Where at any time within the interim period a...

s.sch012

(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, the fixed penalty for...

s.sch012

(1) This paragraph applies where— (a) a notice under paragraph...

s.sch012

(1) The provisions of sub-paragraphs (2) to (5) below shall...

s.sch012

(1) This paragraph shall apply where— (a) a notice under...

s.sch012

(1) Proceedings in England or Wales for an offence under...

s.sch012

(1) A statutory statement of ownership under this Schedule is...

s.sch013

In section 253(11), for “section 78 of the Road Traffic...

s.sch013

In section 20(1)(b), for “1967” substitute “ 1984 ”.

s.sch013

In section 21— (a) in subsection (1), for the words...

s.sch013

In paragraph 51(b) of Schedule 2, after “1967” insert “...

s.sch013

Consequential Amendments

s.sch013

Consequential Amendments

s.sch013

In section 20— (a) in subsection (6), after “1967” insert...

s.sch013

In section 51— (a) in subsection (1), for the words...

s.sch013

In section 23— (a) in subsection (2A), for “1967” substitute...

s.sch013

In section 17— (a) in subsection (6)(a), for “the 1967...

s.sch013

In section 15— (a) in subsection (2)(a), for “section 80(1)(b)...

s.sch013

Consequential Amendments

s.sch013

In section 7(3), for “Section 84C(1) to (5) and (6)...

s.sch013

In section 44— (a) in subsection (1), in the definition...

s.sch013

In section 64(2), for “section 54 of the Road Traffic...

s.sch013

At the end of Schedule 1 the following entry shall...

s.sch013

In Schedule 7— (a) in paragraph 14(3) and (4), for...

s.sch013

Consequential Amendments

s.sch013

In section 3(2), for “1967” substitute “ 1984 ”.

s.sch013

In section 42(2)(c), for “section 71 of the Road Traffic...

s.sch013

In section 60(1), for “section 12 of the Road Traffic...

s.sch013

In section 90F(2), for “1967” substitute “ 1984 ”.

s.sch013

In section 115(6)— (a) for “Section 31 of the Road...

s.sch013

In section 115A(2), for “1967” substitute “ 1984 ”.

s.sch013

In section 265(10), for “21 and 75 of the Road...

s.sch013

In section 285(3), for “1967” substitute “ 1984 ”, and...

s.sch013

In section 329(1), in the definition of “traffic sign”, for...

s.sch013

Consequential Amendments

s.sch013

Consequential Amendments

s.sch013

Consequential Amendments

s.sch013

In Schedule 10, in Part II, in paragraph 9(1), for...

s.sch013

In section 54, for “1967” substitute “ 1984 ”.

s.sch013

Consequential Amendments

s.sch013

In section 1(11), in the definition of “traffic sign”, for...

s.sch013

Consequential Amendments

s.sch013

In section 117(5), for the words from “12” to the...

s.sch013

Consequential Amendments

s.sch013

In section 42, the reference to any of the provisions...

Other sections — not classified into a Part

These sections sit outside the numbered Parts — usually provisions added or moved by later amendments.

Browse 5 other sections
s.para.263

For a vehicle falling within class 5(2)(b) above, the maximum...

s.para.264

This Part applies only to motor vehicles, not being track-laying...

s.para.265

This Part does not apply to— (a) a motor vehicle...

s.para.266

This Part applies to— (a) a motor vehicle which is...

s.para.389

The Table does not take account of successive transfers of...

Official guidance

Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.

Enforcement and responsible bodies

The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.

Government company responsible for operating, maintaining, and improving England's strategic road network (motorways and major A-roads). Sets standards for highway design, construction, …

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