Responding to DVSA enforcement or Traffic Commissioner action
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UK Act of Parliament
1985
United Kingdom
Transport Act 1985
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
43 compliance obligations, 2 practical guides · 1 journey
Penalty landscape
4 of 43 obligations carry a fine up to £1,000. 2 carry different penalties and 37 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 6
- Operator 4
- Applicant 2
- Director or Officer 2
- Employee 1
Plus 28 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.
Supporting — topic alignment
1 guidesMentioned in related content
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
Operators also bound by 125 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Space Industry Regulations 2021 2021 71 duties
- Payment Services Regulations 2017 2017 41 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 34 duties
- The Quarries Regulations 1999 1999 31 duties
- Reservoirs Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 2015 22 duties
Applicants also bound by 146 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 22 duties
- Value Added Tax Regulations 1995 1995 20 duties
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 20 duties
- Space Industry Regulations 2021 2021 12 duties
- Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 2017 10 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
Employees also bound by 53 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (current NI employment law) 1996 13 duties
- The Income Tax (Pay As You Earn) Regulations 2003 2003 10 duties
- Shared Parental Leave Regulations 2014 2014 10 duties
- Paternity and Adoption Leave Regulations 2002 2002 9 duties
- Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 2006 5 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 — General Provisions Relating to Road Passenger Transport
Applications for registration where quality contracts scheme in force
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Traffic Commissioner must check quality contract impact before registration Statutory regulator
Applications for registration where an enhanced partnership scheme is in operation
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Traffic Commissioner must refuse bus service registrations that fail partnership rules Statutory regulator
Traffic commissioner functions where an enhanced partnership scheme in operation
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local Transport Authority must notify Traffic Commissioner of partnership plans Local authority
Records of registration etc
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local transport authorities must maintain public registers of bus services Local authority
Application for registration where service standard has effect
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Traffic Commissioners must refuse bus registrations that fail service standards Statutory regulator
Scrutiny of operation of bus services improvement partnership
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Traffic Commissioner must investigate and report on failing bus partnerships Statutory regulator
Provision of service information when varying or cancelling registration
- Provide passenger and revenue data when changing or cancelling a bus service Operator
Provision of service information: extent of permissible disclosure
Unlimited fine- Unlawful disclosure of bus service information Employee
Enforcement of traffic regulation conditions, etc.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Traffic Commissioners must attach traffic conditions to operator licences Statutory regulator
Further provision with respect to community bus permits.
Fine up to £1,000- Breach of community bus permit conditions Any Person
Duty to give Secretary of State information about certain matters.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must receive notifications of PSV damage or alterations Crown / Minister / Government department
Plying for hire by large public service vehicles.
Fine up to £1,000- Illegal plying for hire by large passenger vehicles Any Person
Appeals under the 1981 Act.
- Appeal licensing decisions to the Transport Tribunal Applicant
Browse 41 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Abolition of road service licensing.
Local services.
Traffic commissioners.
Inquiries held by traffic commissioners.
Assistance for traffic commissioners in considering financial questions.
Registration of local services.
Applications for registration etc where restrictions are in force
Variation or cancellation of registration: service information
Cancellation and control of registration where enhanced partnership scheme is in operation
Enhanced partnership schemes: appeals
Fees relating to relevant registration functions
Contracting out of registration functions: fees
Cancellation of registration when operational service standards not met
Power to make regulations for appeals against service standards decisions
Provision of service information: further provision and consultation
Application of traffic regulation conditions to local services subject to registration under section 6.
Appeals against traffic regulation conditions.
Immediate hiring of taxis at separate fares.
Advance booking of taxis and hire cars at separate fares.
Use of taxis or hire cars in providing local services.
Provisions supplementary to sections 10 to 12.
Application of sections 10 to 13 to London
Operation of taxis and private hire cars in Scotland for the carriage of passengers at separate fares.
Extension of taxi licensing in England and Wales.
Taxi licensing: control of numbers.
London taxi and taxi driver licensing: appeals.
Exemption from PSV operator and driver licensing requirements of vehicles used under permits.
Permits in relation to use of public service vehicles by educational and other bodies
Further provision with respect to permits under section 19.
Permits under section 19: regulations.
Community bus permits.
Power to limit permits under section 19 or 22 to 5 years
Limit on number of vehicles to be used under a restricted licence.
Objections to application for PSV operator’s licence.
Conditions attached to PSV operator’s licence.
Supplementary provisions with respect to conditions attached to PSV operator’s licence under section 26.
Additional powers where service not operated as registered
Provisions supplementing section 27A
Power to disqualify PSV operators.
Repeal of sections 28, 47 and 48 of the 1981 Act.
Extension of safety controls to certain passenger vehicles other than public service vehicles.
Part II — Regulation of Road Passenger Transport in London
London local service licences.
- Obtain a London local service licence to operate bus services in London Operator
Grant of licences.
- Apply for a London local service licence Applicant
Conditions attached to licences.
Fine up to £1,000- Breach conditions of a London local service licence Any Person
Browse 10 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
London local services.
London bus services under control of London Regional Transport.
Grant of licences for certain excursions or tours.
Revocation and suspension of licences.
Duration of licences.
Appeals to the Secretary of State.
Further appeals on points of law.
Application of provisions of the 1981 Act.
Interpretation of Part II.
Power of Secretary of State to repeal Part II.
Part III — The National Bus Company
Browse 10 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
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Dissolution of the Bus Company.
Reduction of assets of National Loans Fund.
Interpretation of Part III.
Part IV — Local Passenger Transport Services
Functions of local councils with respect to passenger transport in areas other than integrated transport areas and passenger transport areas.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Councils must secure essential public transport services and support accessibility Local authority
Consultation and publicity with respect to policies as to services.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Councils must consult and publish transport service policies Local authority
Orders for transfer of joint undertakings to companies formed under section 67.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Councils must submit proposals to transfer joint bus undertakings to companies Local authority
Control over constitution and activities of public transport companies.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Control the makeup and financial activities of public transport companies Local authority
Disabilities of directors of public transport companies.
- Ensure company directors do not hold conflicting local council positions Director or Officer
Audit of accounts of public transport companies.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must ensure public transport companies appoint approved auditors Local authority
Local authority financial controls in Scotland.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities in Scotland must ensure transport companies use approved auditors Local authority
Duty of Integrated Transport Authority or Passenger Transport Authority not to inhibit competition.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Transport Authorities must not restrict competition in transport services Local authority
Browse 23 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Areas, Authorities and Executives.
Local government reorganisation: transport functions.
Transfer of bus undertakings of Executives to companies owned by Authorities.
Exclusion of public sector co-operation requirements and bus operating powers.
Division of undertakings of companies formed under section 59.
Protection of employee benefits on transfer and division of bus undertakings.
Co-operation between certain councils and London Regional Transport.
Exclusion of powers of certain councils to run bus undertakings.
Formation of companies to run council bus undertakings.
Schemes for transfer of individual council bus undertakings to companies formed under section 67.
Supplementary provisions with respect to orders under section 69.
Exemption for councils running small bus undertakings.
The public transport companies and their controlling authorities.
Powers of investment and disposal in relation to public transport companies.
Provision of services for public transport companies.
Financial backing for establishment and operations of public transport companies.
Provision, maintenance and operation of bus stations.
Bus stations: restrictions on discriminatory practices, etc.
Provisions supplementary to sections 81 and 82.
Compensation for loss of employment, etc.
Incorporation of Passenger Transport Executives in Authorities for their area.
Amendments consequential on orders under section 85.
Interpretation of Part IV.
Part 5A — PASSENGERS’ COUNCIL: ROAD PASSENGER TRANSPORT FUNCTIONS IN ENGLAND
Introductory
Amended 6 timesDuty to keep road passenger transport services and facilities under review
Amended 6 timesOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Passengers’ Council must review road passenger transport services Statutory regulator
Duty to investigate road passenger transport services and facilities
Amended 6 timesOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Passengers’ Council must investigate bus and coach service complaints Statutory regulator
Power to refer matters elsewhere instead of investigating
Amended 6 timesInvestigations: power to obtain information
Amended 6 times- Provide information to the Passengers’ Council during investigations Operator
Investigations: protection of confidential information
Amended 6 timesOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Passengers’ Council must keep sensitive business information confidential Statutory regulator
Investigations: representations
Amended 6 times- Respond to Passengers’ Council representations regarding transport services Operator
Referrals following investigation
Amended 6 timesReferrals in cases where investigation identifies other failings
Amended 6 timesTraffic commissioner’s duty following referral
Amended 6 timesOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Traffic Commissioner must review matters referred by the Passengers’ Council Statutory regulator
Investigation reports
Amended 6 timesInterpretation of Part 5A
Amended 6 timesPart V — Financial Provisions
Expenditure on public passenger transport services.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must cooperate to achieve best value in transport spending Local authority
Obligation to invite tenders for subsidised services.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must invite tenders for subsidised bus services Local authority
Provisions supplementary to section 89.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must limit bus service contracts to 8 years and publish tender details Local authority
Publicity requirements for schemes and reimbursement arrangements.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must publish and make travel concession schemes available Local authority
Enforcement of participation in travel concession schemes.
Fine up to £1,000- Fail to provide required travel concessions Director or Officer
Application of Passenger Transport Executive’s financial plan to expenditure on travel concessions under schemes.
Amended 1 timeSubsidies for travel concessions.
Amended 3 timesTravel concessions on services provided by Passenger Transport Executives.
Amended 13 timesTravel concessions on services provided by local authorities.
Amended 6 timesOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities may provide travel concessions on their bus services Local authority
Grants for transport facilities and services.
Amended 8 timesGrants for bus services.
Amended 8 timesGrants by London Regional Transport.
Amended 1 timeGrants for establishment, etc., of rural passenger services in Wales and Scotland.
Amended 2 timesTransitional rural bus grants.
Amended 1 timeUnregistered and unreliable local services; reduction of fuel duty grant.
Amended 8 timesOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Traffic Commissioners may reduce fuel duty grants for unreliable services Statutory regulator
Interpretation of Part V.
Amended 6 timesBrowse 10 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Exceptions from section 89.
General provisions with respect to the exercise of service subsidy functions.
Travel concession schemes.
Administration of schemes: reimbursement, etc.
Right of eligible service operators to participate in travel concession schemes.
Compulsory participation in travel concession schemes.
Further provisions with respect to participation notices.
Release from compulsory participation.
Provisions Supplementary to sections 96 to 99
Grants towards duty charged on bus fuel.
Part VI — Miscellaneous and General
Monopoly references with respect to bus services.
Amended 2 times. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Amended 1 timeReconstitution of the Transport Tribunal.
Amended 3 timesBus substitution services and bus service conditions.
Amended 1 timeRevocation or variation of bus service conditions.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must follow specific procedures to change bus conditions Crown / Minister / Government department
Supplementary and consequential provisions.
Amended 1 timeThe Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee and Secretary of State’s Guidance.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must issue guidance on disabled access to road transport Crown / Minister / Government department
Application of sections 52 and 56 of the 1981 Act.
Amended 5 timesOffences and legal proceedings.
2 years imprisonment- Forgery, misuse, or false statements regarding transport permits Any Person
Corporation tax and capital gains tax.
Amended 1 timeStamp duty.
- Obtain certification or Adjudication stamp for duty-exempt transfers Any Person
Regulations, rules and orders.
Amended 2 timesProcedure for making regulations, rules and orders.
Amended 7 timesDirections.
- Comply with written directions from the Secretary of State Any Person
General interpretation.
Amended 11 timesTransitional provisions, savings, amendments, repeals and revocation.
Amended 1 timeBrowse 15 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Repeal of section 24(3) of the 1968 Act.
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Railways Board’s road passenger transport services.
Notice of withdrawal of bus substitution service.
Objections to withdrawal of bus substitution service.
Reimbursement of Board’s expenses in securing bus substitution services.
The Public Transport Users' Committee for England
Functions of the Committee
Power to confer functions in relation to the Committee
Further supplementary provisions.
Transfer schemes.
Operation of vehicles, etc., by partnerships.
Functions of Passenger Transport Authorities and Executives Authorities and Executives : supplementary.
Expenses and receipts.
Short title, commencement and extent.
Schedules
The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must fund and support the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 140 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Amendments Consequential on the Abolition of Road Service Licensing
In section 159(1) of the Transport Act 1968 (interpretation)—
In section 59 of that Act (power to make regulations...
In section 68(4)(a) of that Act (provisions to which a...
Section 81(2) of that Act (definition for purposes of that...
In section 82(1) of that Act (definitions of expressions used...
In section 83 of that Act (construction of references in...
(1) The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 shall be amended...
(1) Subject to any provision made by or under this...
In section 63(3)(b) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act...
(1) Paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the Energy Act...
In section 12 of the 1981 Act (PSV operator’s licence),...
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In section 46 of that Act (fare-paying passengers on school...
In section 52(1)(a)(i) of that Act (fees for grant of...
In section 53(1) of that Act (payment of expenses), for...
In sections 57 and 58 of that Act (death, etc....
Amendments Consequential on Section 3
Amendments Consequential on Section 57
The following provisions of the 1968 Act shall be omitted—...
(1) In section 15 of that Act (further functions of...
In section 15A of that Act (control of Executive by...
In section 16 of that Act (publication of annual report...
In section 20 of that Act (special duty of Executive...
In section 22 of that Act (provisions as to orders...
In section 24(2) of that Act (co-operation between Passenger Transport...
In section 54 of that Act (provisions with respect to...
In section 134(1) of that Act (authorities to whom duty...
In section 137 of that Act (obligation to establish machinery...
In section 141(1) of that Act (application of Town and...
In— (a) sections 10, 12, 14, 15, 20 and 23...
—In section 160(5) of that Act (stamp duty not chargeable...
(1) In Schedule 5 to that Act (constitution, etc., of...
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In paragraph 6(2)(c) of Schedule 3 to the Pensions (Increase)...
In section 202 of the 1972 Act (public transport in...
In Schedule 24 to that Act, Part II shall be...
In section 150 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973,...
Section 151 of that Act shall be omitted.
In Schedule 18 to that Act, paragraphs 1(a) to (d)...
In section 82 of the Local Government, Planning and Land...
In section 9(6) of that Act, the words “or 6”...
In section 1 of the Transport Act 1983 (interpretation of...
In section 3(3) of that Act (formulation of Executive’s financial...
In section 9 of that Act (repeals and minor amendments),...
In paragraph 31(b) of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic...
In section 10 of that Act (general powers of Executive)—...
In section 11 of that Act (Executive’s financial duty), as...
In section 12 of that Act (borrowing powers of Executive)—...
For section 13 of that Act (precepting powers), as it...
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In section 14(3) of that Act, as it applies to...
Constitution, Powers and Proceedings of the Transport Tribunal
The Transport Tribunal (referred to in this Schedule as “the...
(1) The president or, in his absence, such one of...
(1) Subject to paragraph 10 above, the Lord Chancellor may...
(1) The Secretary of State shall give to the tribunal...
(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below and to any rules...
(1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) below, an appeal...
The Lord Chancellor shall consult the Lord Advocate before exercising...
The tribunal shall make annually a report of all their...
(1) The First-tier Tribunal and the Upper Tribunal are to...
Paragraph 12 applies in relation to the First-tier Tribunal and...
(1) The tribunal shall consist of— (a) a president and...
(1) Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph and...
(1) A member of the tribunal appointed by the Secretary...
The Lord Chancellor may make available to the tribunal such...
There shall be paid to the members of the tribunal...
Any remuneration or allowances payable under paragraph 6 above and...
(1) Subject to paragraph 9(2) below, The tribunal shall for...
(1) On an appeal from any determination of a traffic...
The Secretary of State shall make arrangements for the Committee...
(1) The Secretary of State shall provide the Committee with...
(1) Any person appointed to be a member of the...
(1) The Committee shall meet whenever convened by the Chairman...
The Committee may delegate the exercise and performance of any...
The validity of any proceedings of the Committee shall not...
Transitional Provisions and Savings
(1) In this paragraph “the transitional period” means the period...
(1) Each traffic commissioner shall publish such information with respect...
(1) For the purpose of ensuring that in the school...
A road service licence (other than one for a service...
(1) The person who, immediately before the commencement of section...
(1) This paragraph applies where the condition attached under section...
Anything done or treated by virtue of any enactment as...
(1) A road service licence which— (a) is in force...
In relation to a London local service—
In so far as any regulations in force immediately before...
Any regulations made under section 17(3) of the 1968 Act...
(1) In paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 31(2) for...
(1) Section 89 of this Act shall not apply in...
(1) Where— (a) before the date on which the repeal...
(1) A scheme established under section 93 of this Act...
(1) Notwithstanding the repeal by this Act of the Travel...
During any period after section 104 of this Act comes...
(1) The repeals made by this Act which relate to...
Notwithstanding the repeal by this Act of—
(1) In section 32 (attachment to licences of conditions as...
In section 34 (grant of road service licences for services...
In section 50(8) (persons who, in addition to applicant, have...
(1) In paragraphs 7 to 12 below— “local service” means...
(1) Where an application for registration of the prescribed particulars...
(1) Where the prescribed particulars of a local service have...
(1) Any person making an application which falls within one...
Minor and Consequential Amendments
In England and Wales, the provisions made by or under...
In section 34 of that Act (assistance for rural bus...
In section 34 of that Act (assistance for rural bus...
In section 56 of that Act (assistance towards capital expenditure...
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At the end of section 5(6) of the Local Authority...
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In Schedule 18 to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973,...
(1) In section 46(1)(a) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions)...
In section 92 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976 (restriction...
(1) In section 1 of the Concessionary Travel for Handicapped...
In section 25 of the London Hackney Carriages Act 1843...
In section 64(3) of the Transport Act 1980 (definition of...
(1) The Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 shall be amended...
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(1) The Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 shall be amended...
In section 35(1) of the London Regional Transport Act 1984...
In section 55(3) of that Act (definitions of expressions used...
In section 68 of that Act (interpretation), the definitions of...
In Schedule 5 to that Act (transitional provisions and savings)—...
Section 46 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 (drivers...
In section 101 of the Road Traffic Act 1930 (power...
Section 1 of the Transport Charges &c. (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act...
In section 3(3) of the 1962 Act (powers of the...
In section 10(1)(xiii) of the 1968 Act (power of Passenger...
In section 15(2)(b) of that Act (approval of Passenger Transport...
In section 16(2) of that Act (annual report of Authorities...
Repeals
(1) The Transport Act 1968 shall be amended as follows....
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(1) The Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 shall be amended...
In section 18 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982,...
In section 38(4) and (7) of and paragraph 31(a) of...
In Schedule 5 to the London Regional Transport Act 1984,...
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.
Browse 1 other unclassified section
Traffic Commissioners
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- Bus and coach accessibility (PSVAR) (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Register a local bus service (GOV.UK) (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Apply for a PSV operator licence (GOV.UK) (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain
Independent regulators responsible for licensing and regulating operators of heavy goods vehicles, public service vehicles (buses and coaches), and local bus services. …
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