UK Act of Parliament
1995
Northern Ireland
Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995
At a glance
What's here
65 compliance obligations · 3 statutory instruments
Penalty landscape
27 of 65 obligations carry a fine up to £1,000. 30 carry different penalties and 8 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 61
Plus 4 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
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 770 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 110 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 97 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 86 duties
- Licensing Act 2003 2003 78 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 — INTRODUCTORY
Browse 8 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
General interpretation
Meaning of “motor vehicle” and other expressions relating to vehicles
Supplementary provisions about those expressions
Articulated vehicles
Certain vehicles not to be treated as motor vehicles
Method of calculating weight of motor vehicles and trailers
Interpretation of statutory references to carriages
Part II — Principal Road Safety Provisions
Breath testing at authorised check-points
Fine up to £1,000- Refusal to take a roadside breath test at a police checkpoint Any Person
Causing death or grievous bodily injury by careless or inconsiderate driving
5 years imprisonment- Cause death or serious injury by careless driving Any Person
Causing death or grievous bodily injury by driving: unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured driver
2 years imprisonment- Cause death or serious injury while driving without licence, insurance or while disqualified Any Person
Functions of Department as to road safety
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Northern Ireland Department of Infrastructure must maintain and improve road safety Crown / Minister / Government department
Preliminary impairment test
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must issue a code of practice for impairment testing Crown / Minister / Government department
Requirement to notify bus passengers to wear seat belts
Fine up to £2,500- Fail to notify bus passengers to wear seat belts Any Person
Specimens of blood taken from persons incapable of consenting
2 years imprisonment- Refuse permission to test blood sample taken while unconscious Any Person
Browse 50 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Causing death, or grievous bodily injury, by dangerous driving
Dangerous driving
Meaning of dangerous driving
Careless, and inconsiderate, driving
Interpretation of Articles 14 to 21
Causing death, or grievous bodily injury, by careless driving when under influence of drink or drugs
Driving, or being in charge, when under influence of drink or drugs
Driving, or being in charge of, a motor vehicle with alcohol concentration above prescribed limit
Power to administer preliminary tests
Arrest
Provision of specimens for analysis
Lower of 2 specimens of breath to be used
Protection for hospital patients
Detention of persons affected by alcohol or a drug
Disapplication of Articles 9, 10 and 12 for authorised motoring events
Seat belts: adults
Restriction on carrying children not wearing seat belts in motor vehicles
Payments in respect of applicants for exemption from wearing seat belts
Safety equipment for children in motor vehicles
Wearing of protective headgear
Protective helmets for motor cyclists
Authorisation of head-worn appliances for use on motor cycles
Prohibition of parking of heavy commercial vehicles on verges, central reservations and footways
Definition of “heavy commercial vehicle” for the purposes of Article 30
Leaving vehicles in dangerous positions
Causing danger to road-users
Restrictions of carriage of persons on motor bicycles
Restrictions of carriage of persons on bicycles
Tampering with motor vehicles
Holding or getting on to vehicle in order to be towed or carried
Pedestrian endangering own safety or that of others
Passing with a led horse
Drunkenness, etc., in charge of horse-drawn vehicle
Careless, and inconsiderate, driving of horse-drawn vehicle
Dangerous cycling
Careless, and inconsiderate, cycling
Cycling when under influence of drink or drugs
Regulation of cycle racing on public roads
Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Control of use of public paths, etc., for motor vehicle trials
Prohibition of driving mechanically propelled vehicles elsewhere than on roads
Contravention of directions
Contravention of traffic signs
Highway Code
Powers of Department as to giving road safety information and training
Local Service
Meaning of careless, or inconsiderate, driving
Power of entry
Preliminary breath test
Preliminary drug test
Part III — Construction and Use of Vehicles and Equipment
Breach of requirement as to speed assessment equipment detection devices
Fine up to £2,500- Use or allow illegal speed detector devices on vehicles Any Person
Breach of requirements as to control of vehicle, mobile telephones etc.
Fine up to £2,500- Use a mobile phone or lose control of a vehicle while driving Any Person
Display of test certificates
Fine up to £1,000- Fail to display a valid vehicle test certificate Any Person
Browse 39 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Interpretation of Part III
Using vehicle in dangerous condition etc.
Regulation of construction, weight, equipment and use of vehicles
Breach of requirement as to brakes, steering-gear or tyres
Breach of requirement as to weight: goods and passenger vehicles
Breach of other construction and use requirements
Temporary exemption from application of regulations under Article 55
Authorisation of use on roads of special vehicles not complying with regulations under Article 55
Tests of satisfactory condition of vehicles
Particular aspects of regulations under Article 61
Obligatory test certificates
Supplementary provisions about test certificates
Tests of satisfactory condition of goods vehicles and determination of plated weights, etc.
Appeals against determinations
Particular aspects of regulations under Article 65
Supplementary provision about tests, etc., of goods vehicles
Obligatory goods vehicle test certificates
Using goods vehicle with unauthorised weights as well as authorised weights marked on it
Restriction on carrying passengers on goods vehicles
Regulations prohibiting the grant of excise licences for certain vehicles except on compliance with certain conditions
Vehicle testing centres
Appointment of examiners
Testing of condition of vehicles on roads
Inspection of vehicles
Power to prohibit driving of unfit vehicles
Prohibitions conditional on inspection etc.
Power to prohibit driving of overloaded vehicles
Unfit and overloaded vehicles: offences
Removal of prohibitions
Operator's duty to inspect, and keep records of inspection of, goods vehicles
Vehicles not to be sold in unroadworthy condition or altered so as to be unroadworthy
Fitting and supply of defective or unsuitable vehicle parts
Testing condition of used vehicles at sale rooms, etc.
Weighing of motor vehicles
Further provisions relating to weighing of motor vehicles
Regulation of brakes, bells etc., on cycles
Regulation of brakes on horse-drawn vehicles
Offences to do with reflectors and tail lamps
Appointment of officials
Part IV — Miscellaneous Amendments of the Order of 1981
Browse 6 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Licensing of motor cyclists
Duties on occurrence of an accident
Powers of vehicle examiners
Arts.100‐103 rep by 1996 NI 10
Art. 93 rep. by 1997 NI 2
Arts. 94‐97 rep. by 1996 NI 10
Part V — GENERAL AND SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
Application of Order in relation to harbour commissioners
Amended 1 timeGeneral provisions as to orders and regulations
Amended 3 timesSavings and transitional provisions
Amended 2 timesBrowse 6 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Application of Order to hovercraft
Application of Order to trolley vehicles
Application of Order to invalid carriages
Application of Order to the Crown
Art. 104 rep by 1996 NI 10
Art. 112—Amendments and repeals
Schedules
Browse 6 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Form of seat belt symbol for buses
(1) A person against whom proceedings are brought for an offence under Article 26, 28...
(1) Where— (a) it appears that an offence under Article 26, 28 or 29(4) has...
(1) Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, in any proceedings for an offence under...
(1) An accused who in any proceedings for an offence under Article 26, 28 or...
In this Schedule, “equipment” means equipment to which Article 26 applies and “appliance” means an...
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.
Causing death, or grievous bodily injury, by dangerous driving
14 years imprisonment- Cause death or serious injury by dangerous driving Any Person
Dangerous driving
2 years imprisonment- Dangerous driving Any Person
Careless, and inconsiderate, driving
Unlimited fine- Drive without due care or consideration (Careless Driving) Any Person
Causing death, or grievous bodily injury, by careless driving when under influence of drink or drugs
14 years imprisonment- Cause death or serious injury by careless driving while under the influence Any Person
Driving, or being in charge, when under influence of drink or drugs
6 months imprisonment- Drive or be in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs Any Person
Driving, or being in charge of, a motor vehicle with alcohol concentration above prescribed limit
6 months imprisonment- Drive or be in charge of a vehicle while over the legal alcohol limit Any Person
Power to administer preliminary tests
Fine up to £1,000- Failure to cooperate with a preliminary roadside test Any Person
Provision of specimens for analysis
6 months imprisonment- Failure to provide breath, blood, or urine specimens for analysis Any Person
Restriction on carrying children not wearing seat belts in motor vehicles
- Ensure children wear seat belts or use child restraints in vehicles Any Person
Safety equipment for children in motor vehicles
Unlimited fine- Sell or hire unapproved child safety equipment Any Person
Protective helmets for motor cyclists
Fine up to £1,000- Sell or hire non-compliant motorcycle helmets Any Person
Authorisation of head-worn appliances for use on motor cycles
Fine up to £1,000- Sell or use unapproved motorcycle head-worn appliances Any Person
Prohibition of parking of heavy commercial vehicles on verges, central reservations and footways
Fine up to £1,000- Illegal parking of heavy goods vehicles on verges or pavements Any Person
Leaving vehicles in dangerous positions
Fine up to £2,500- Leave a vehicle in a dangerous position Any Person
Causing danger to road-users
7 years imprisonment- Cause danger to road users Any Person
Restrictions of carriage of persons on motor bicycles
Fine up to £1,000- Carry more than one passenger or use unsafe seating on a motorcycle Any Person
Restrictions of carriage of persons on bicycles
Fine up to £200- Carry more than one person on a standard bicycle Any Person
Tampering with motor vehicles
Fine up to £1,000- Tamper with or enter a motor vehicle without authority Any Person
Holding or getting on to vehicle in order to be towed or carried
Fine up to £1,000- Unauthorised holding or getting onto a moving vehicle Any Person
Passing with a led horse
Fine up to £1,000- Failure to keep a led horse on the left when passing Any Person
Drunkenness, etc., in charge of horse-drawn vehicle
1 month imprisonment- Control a horse-drawn vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs Any Person
Careless, and inconsiderate, driving of horse-drawn vehicle
Fine up to £1,000- Careless driving of a horse-drawn vehicle Any Person
Dangerous cycling
Fine up to £2,500- Dangerous cycling Any Person
Careless, and inconsiderate, cycling
Fine up to £1,000- Careless or inconsiderate cycling Any Person
Cycling when under influence of drink or drugs
Fine up to £1,000- Ride a cycle while unfit through drink or drugs Any Person
Regulation of cycle racing on public roads
Fine up to £1,000- Organise or participate in unauthorized cycle racing Any Person
Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Fine up to £1,000- Allow an underage person to drive an electric bicycle Any Person
Control of use of public paths, etc., for motor vehicle trials
Fine up to £1,000- Promote or participate in unauthorised motor vehicle trials on public paths Any Person
Prohibition of driving mechanically propelled vehicles elsewhere than on roads
Fine up to £1,000- Unlawful driving on land other than roads Any Person
Contravention of directions
Fine up to £1,000- Fail to follow a police officer's traffic direction Any Person
Contravention of traffic signs
Fine up to £1,000- Fail to comply with a traffic sign Any Person
Highway Code
- Adhere to the Highway Code to avoid liability in legal proceedings Any Person
Powers of Department as to giving road safety information and training
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- NI Department must promote road safety and study accident causes Crown / Minister / Government department
Using vehicle in dangerous condition etc.
Unlimited fine- Use or permit the use of a dangerous vehicle Any Person
Breach of requirement as to brakes, steering-gear or tyres
Fine up to £2,500- Use or permit the use of a vehicle with defective brakes, steering, or tyres Any Person
Breach of requirement as to weight: goods and passenger vehicles
Unlimited fine- Exceed vehicle weight limits for goods or passenger vehicles Any Person
Breach of other construction and use requirements
Unlimited fine- Use a vehicle that breaches construction or equipment regulations Any Person
Obligatory test certificates
Fine up to £1,000- Use a vehicle without a valid MOT certificate Any Person
Appeals against determinations
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- The Department must re-examine vehicles upon appeal of a test determination Crown / Minister / Government department
Particular aspects of regulations under Article 65
Fine up to £1,000- Fail to follow instructions during a goods vehicle examination Any Person
Obligatory goods vehicle test certificates
Fine up to £2,500- Use a goods vehicle without a valid test or plating certificate Any Person
Using goods vehicle with unauthorised weights as well as authorised weights marked on it
Fine up to £1,000- Use goods vehicle with unauthorized weight markings Any Person
Restriction on carrying passengers on goods vehicles
Fine up to £1,000- Carry unauthorized passengers on a goods vehicle Any Person
Appointment of examiners
Unlimited fine- Impersonate a vehicle examiner Any Person
Testing of condition of vehicles on roads
Fine up to £1,000- Obstruct vehicle testing or fail to comply with roadside inspection requirements Any Person
Inspection of vehicles
Fine up to £1,000- Obstruct vehicle inspection or fail to move vehicle for testing Any Person
Unfit and overloaded vehicles: offences
Unlimited fine- Drive or permit the use of an unfit or overloaded vehicle Any Person
Vehicles not to be sold in unroadworthy condition or altered so as to be unroadworthy
- Do not sell, supply, or alter vehicles into an unroadworthy condition Any Person
Fitting and supply of defective or unsuitable vehicle parts
Unlimited fine- Fit or supply defective or dangerous vehicle parts Any Person
Testing condition of used vehicles at sale rooms, etc.
Fine up to £2,500- Obstructing a vehicle or trailer inspection Any Person
Weighing of motor vehicles
Fine up to £1,000- Refuse or obstruct the weighing of a motor vehicle Any Person
Further provisions relating to weighing of motor vehicles
- Retain and present weight certificates for vehicle loads Any Person
Regulation of brakes, bells etc., on cycles
Fine up to £1,000- Supply or sell unsafe or non-compliant cycles Any Person
Offences to do with reflectors and tail lamps
Unlimited fine- Sourcing or selling non-compliant reflectors or tail lamps Any Person
Supplementary Provisions in connection with Proceedings for Offences under Articles 16, 28 and 29(4)
Unlimited fine- Provide false warranties for safety equipment Any Person
Browse 63 other unclassified sections
Title and commencement
General interpretation
Meaning of “motor vehicle” and other expressions relating to vehicles
Supplementary provisions about those expressions
Articulated vehicles
Certain vehicles not to be treated as motor vehicles
Method of calculating weight of motor vehicles and trailers
Interpretation of statutory references to carriages
Meaning of dangerous driving
Interpretation of Articles 14 to 21
Lower of 2 specimens of breath to be used
Protection for hospital patients
Detention of persons affected by alcohol or a drug
Disapplication of Articles 9, 10 and 12 for authorised motoring events
Seat belts: adults
Payments in respect of applicants for exemption from wearing seat belts
Wearing of protective headgear
Definition of “heavy commercial vehicle” for the purposes of Article 30
Pedestrian endangering own safety or that of others
Interpretation of Part III
Regulation of construction, weight, equipment and use of vehicles
Temporary exemption from application of regulations under Article 55
Authorisation of use on roads of special vehicles not complying with regulations under Article 55
Tests of satisfactory condition of vehicles
Particular aspects of regulations under Article 61
Supplementary provisions about test certificates
Tests of satisfactory condition of goods vehicles and determination of plated weights, etc.
Supplementary provision about tests, etc., of goods vehicles
Regulations prohibiting the grant of excise licences for certain vehicles except on compliance with certain conditions
Vehicle testing centres
Power to prohibit driving of unfit vehicles
Prohibitions conditional on inspection etc.
Power to prohibit driving of overloaded vehicles
Removal of prohibitions
Operator's duty to inspect, and keep records of inspection of, goods vehicles
Regulation of brakes on horse-drawn vehicles
Appointment of officials
Licensing of motor cyclists
Duties on occurrence of an accident
Powers of vehicle examiners
Application of Order to hovercraft
Application of Order to trolley vehicles
Application of Order to invalid carriages
Application of Order to the Crown
Application of Order in relation to harbour commissioners
General provisions as to orders and regulations
Savings and transitional provisions
Arrest
Causing death or grievous bodily injury by careless or inconsiderate driving
Meaning of careless, or inconsiderate, driving
Causing death or grievous bodily injury by driving: unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured driver
Preliminary breath test
Preliminary impairment test
Preliminary drug test
Breath testing at authorised check-points
Power of entry
Specimens of blood taken from persons incapable of consenting
Requirement to notify bus passengers to wear seat belts
Local Service
Functions of Department as to road safety
Breach of requirements as to control of vehicle, mobile telephones etc.
Breach of requirement as to speed assessment equipment detection devices
Display of test certificates
Connected legislation
3 statutory instruments
These instruments amend, apply, or refer to this Act. They may not all create direct business obligations.
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Browse legislation
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