OpenLegislation

Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981

1981 c. 14 · Enacted 15 April 1981 · Extends to England, Wales and Scotland

Not fully up to date. 16 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 5 August 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 66AinsertedTransport Act 1982 s. 24(4)
s. 6(1)(a)words insertedTransport Act 1982 s. 10(3)(b)
s. 6(1A)insertedTransport Act 1982 s. 10(8)
s. 6(1A)extendedTransport Act 1982 s. 10(11)
s. 10(2)words insertedTransport Act 1982 s. 10(3)(b)
s. 10(4)extendedTransport Act 1982 s. 10(11)
s. 20(1)(2)words substitutedTransport Act 1982 s. 10(9)(a)
s. 20(2A)insertedTransport Act 1982 s. 10(9)(b)
s. 20(2A)extendedTransport Act 1982 s. 10(11)
s. 51(1)words insertedTransport Act 1982 s. 21(4)(a)
s. 51(1A)(1B)insertedTransport Act 1982 s. 21(4)(b)
s. 51(4)words insertedTransport Act 1982 s. 21(4)(c)
s. 52(1)(a)(ii)substitutedTransport Act 1982 Sch. 5 para. 22
s. 82(1)words insertedTransport Act 1982 Sch. 5 para. 23(a)
s. 82(1A)insertedTransport Act 1982 Sch. 5 para. 23(b)
s. 87extendedTransport Act 1982 Sch. 5 para. 24

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

[15th April 1981]C1C2C3C4C5I1C6C7C8C9C10C11C12

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act modified in part by virtue of S.I. 1980/1460, regs. 4–6 (as amended by S.I. 1981/462, regs. 2–4) and Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30, SIF 115:1), ss. 17(2)(a), 23(3)

C2

Act modified by S.I. 1984/748, regs. 4(2), 5(2), 6(2), 7(2), 9(2), 10(2), 11(2), 12(2), Sch. 2

C3

Act excluded (E.W.) by London Regional Transport Act 1984 (c. 32, SIF 126), s. 44(1)

C4

Act excluded (E.W.) by Transport Act 1985 (c. 67, SIF 126), s. 11(1)(a)

C5

Act amended by S.I. 1986/1628, reg. 5(2)(3)

C6

Act: definition applied (E.W.) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56, SIF 130 ), ss. 76(5)(a), 223(2) (with ss. 82(3), 186(1), 222(1), Sch. 13 paras.1, 2, Sch. 14 para. 6)

C7

Definition of "PSV testing station" applied (1.7.1992) by Road Traffic Act 1988 (c. 52, SIF 107:1), s. 69A (as substituted (1.7.1992) by Road Traffic Act 1991 (c. 40, SIF 107:1), s.12; S.I. 1992/1286, art. 2,Sch.)

Act: modified (28.1.2000) by S.I. 1999/3413, reg. 10(2)

C8

Act modified (16.8.2006) by The Dover Harbour Revision Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2167), arts. 1(1), 27

C9

Act: transfer of functions (1.9.2009) by The Transfer of Functions (Transport Tribunal and Appeal Panel) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1885), arts. 1(1), 2(3)

C10

Act modified (4.12.2011) by The Public Service Vehicles (Community Licences) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/2634), reg. 18

C11

Act modified by S.I. 1981/1628, reg. 5(2) (as amended (5.10.2017) by The Operation of Public Service Vehicles (Partnership) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/873), regs. 1(1), 5(a))

C12

Act modified (1.2.2019) by The Road Transport (International Passenger Services) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1395), reg. 5(2)(a)

Commencement

I1

Act not in force at date of Royal Assent see s. 89(2); Act wholly in force at 30.10.1981

Contents

  1. Part I: Preliminary
  2. Definition and classification of public service vehicles
  3. 1Definition of “public service vehicle”.
  4. 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  5. Traffic Areas and Traffic commissioners
  6. 3Traffic areas.
  7. 4Traffic commissioners.
  8. 4AAppointment of senior traffic commissioner
  9. 4BPower of senior traffic commissioner to deploy other commissioners
  10. 4CPower of senior traffic commissioner to give guidance and directions
  11. 4DGuidance to senior traffic commissioner by Secretary of State
  12. 5Publication of information by traffic commissioners.
  13. Part II: General Provisions Relating to Public Service Vehicles
  14. Fitness of public service vehicles
  15. 6Certificate of initial fitness (or equivalent) required for use as public service vehicles.
  16. 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  17. 8Powers of, and facilities for, inspection of public service vehicles.
  18. 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  19. 9AExtension of sections 8 and 9 to certain passenger vehicles other than public service vehicles.
  20. 10Approval of type vehicle and effect thereof.
  21. 11Modification of section 6 in relation to experimental vehicles.
  22. Public service vehicle operators’ licences
  23. 12PSV operators’ licences.
  24. 12ADetention of certain PSVs used without PSV operators' licences
  25. 12BPower to stop
  26. 13Classification of licences.
  27. 14Grant of licences
  28. 14ZARequirements for standard licences
  29. 14ZBRequirements for restricted licences
  30. 14ZCRequirements for standard and restricted licences
  31. 14AObjections to application for PSV operator’s licence.
  32. 15Duration of licences.
  33. 16Conditions attached to licences.
  34. 16AConditions as to matters required to be notified.
  35. 17Revocation, suspension etc. of licences.
  36. 17AAssessors to assist traffic commissioners.
  37. 18Duty to exhibit operator’s disc.
  38. 19Duty to inform traffic commissioners of relevant convictions etc.
  39. 20Duty to give traffic commissioners information about vehicles.
  40. 21Certificates of qualification.
  41. Drivers’ licences
  42. 22Drivers’ licences.
  43. 23Appeals to courts of summary jurisdiction in connection with driver’s licences.
  44. 23ANorthern Ireland drivers’ licences.
  45. Regulation of conduct etc. of drivers, inspectors, conductors and passengers
  46. 24Regulation of conduct of drivers, inspectors and conductors.
  47. 25Regulation of conduct of passengers.
  48. 26Control of number of passengers.
  49. Supplementary provisions
  50. 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  51. 28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  52. 29Avoidance of contracts so far as restrictive of liability in respect of death of or injury to passengers in public service vehicles.
  53. Part 2A: Safeguarding duty: drivers of school services
  54. 29ADuty to check barring information
  55. 29BApplication of section 29A duty: services in Wales
  56. 29CInterpretation of Part 2A
  57. Part III
  58. 30–41. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  59. Part IV
  60. 42–45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  61. Fare-paying passengers on school buses
  62. 46Fare-paying passengers on school buses.
  63. 47, 48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  64. 49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  65. 49AReview of decisions.
  66. Part V: Miscellaneous and Supplementary
  67. Appeals to the Secretary of State
  68. 50Appeals to the Upper Tribunal
  69. 51Appeals to the Secretary of State.
  70. 52Fees for grant of licences etc.
  71. 53Payment of expenses.
  72. Provisions relating to traffic commissioners etc.
  73. 54Inquiries held by traffic commissioners.
  74. 55Annual report of traffic commissioners and metropolitan police commissioner.
  75. 56Records of licences.
  76. 56ACorrection of errors
  77. Supplementary provisions as to licences etc.
  78. 57Death, bankruptcy etc. of licence holder.
  79. 58Partnerships and related matters.
  80. Regulations
  81. 59Power to make regulations as to procedure on applications for licences.
  82. 60General power to make regulations for purposes of Act.
  83. 61Exercise of regulation making powers and parliamentary control thereof.
  84. Provisions relating to Metropolitan Traffic Area
  85. 62. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  86. 63. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  87. 64Exclusion of certain enactments as respects Metropolitan Traffic Area.
  88. Provisions relating to offences and legal proceedings
  89. 65Forgery and misuse of documents etc.
  90. 66False statements to obtain licence etc.
  91. 66AIssue of false documents. Not yet in force
  92. 67Penalty for breach of regulations.
  93. 68Defences available to persons charged with certain offences.
  94. 69Restriction on institution in England and Wales of proceedings under Part II or III.
  95. 70Duty to give information as to identity of driver in certain cases.
  96. 71Evidence by certificate.
  97. 72Proof in summary proceedings of identity of driver of vehicle.
  98. 73Time within which summary proceedings for certain offences may be commenced.
  99. 74Offences by companies.
  100. 75Destination of fines.
  101. Inquiries
  102. 76General power to hold inquiries. Repealed
  103. 77General provisions as to inquiries. Repealed
  104. Supplementary provisions
  105. 78Power of Minister to modify or revoke restrictions in local Acts.
  106. 79Vehicles excluded from regulation as private hire vehicles.
  107. 79ASmall PSVs subject to regulation as private hire vehicles.
  108. 80Construction of references to traffic areas.
  109. 81Interpretation of references to the operator of a vehicle or service.
  110. 82General interpretation provisions.
  111. 83Construction of references in other Acts etc. to public service vehicles, licensing authorities etc.
  112. 84Protection of public interests.
  113. 85Saving for law of nuisance.
  114. 86Saving for sections 16 and 17 of the Interpretation Act 1978.
  115. 87Power of Secretary of State to repeal section 10 of this Act.
  116. 88Transitional provisions, consequential amendments and repeals.
  117. 89Short title, commencement and extent.
  118. Schedule 1: Public Service Vehicles: Conditions Affecting Status or Classification
  119. Part I: Sharing of Taxis and Hire-Cars
  120. 1Paragraph 1
  121. 2Paragraph 2
  122. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  123. Part II
  124. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  125. Part III: Alternative Conditions Affecting Status or Classification
  126. 5Paragraph 5
  127. 6Paragraph 6
  128. 7Paragraph 7
  129. 8Paragraph 8
  130. Part IV: Supplementary
  131. 9Paragraph 9
  132. Schedule 2: Traffic Commissioners
  133. Terms of service of traffic commissioners
  134. 1Paragraph 1
  135. 2Paragraph 2
  136. Deputy traffic commissioners for England and Wales
  137. 2AParagraph 2A
  138. Appointment and terms of office of deputies to traffic commissioners in Scotland
  139. 2BParagraph 2B
  140. 3Paragraph 3
  141. 4Paragraph 4
  142. 5Paragraph 5
  143. Appointment of acting traffic commissioner during vacancy
  144. 5AParagraph 5A
  145. 6Paragraph 6
  146. Staff of traffic commissioners
  147. 7Paragraph 7
  148. Remuneration and pensions
  149. 8Paragraph 8
  150. 9Paragraph 9
  151. Schedule 2A: Detention of certain PSVs used without PSV operators' licences
  152. Interpretation
  153. 1Paragraph 1
  154. Detention of property
  155. 2Paragraph 2
  156. The vehicle and any other property detained, the passengers, and any personal effects
  157. 3Paragraph 3
  158. Immobilisation of vehicle
  159. 4Paragraph 4
  160. Offences relating to immobilisation
  161. 5Paragraph 5
  162. Removal and delivery of property into custody of nominated custodian
  163. 6Paragraph 6
  164. Informing persons that their property has been detained etc
  165. 7Paragraph 7
  166. Return of vehicle
  167. 8Paragraph 8
  168. Application to traffic commissioner for return of vehicle
  169. 9Paragraph 9
  170. Hearings by traffic commissioner
  171. 10Paragraph 10
  172. Consequences of the traffic commissioner's determination
  173. 11Paragraph 11
  174. Appeal to Upper Tribunal from traffic commissioner
  175. 12Paragraph 12
  176. Sale or destruction of vehicle where no application made under paragraph 9
  177. 13Paragraph 13
  178. Return or disposal of contents and personal effects
  179. 14Paragraph 14
  180. Custody of property
  181. 15Paragraph 15
  182. Proceeds of sale
  183. 16Paragraph 16
  184. Disputes
  185. 17Paragraph 17
  186. Obstruction of authorised person
  187. 18Paragraph 18
  188. Offences as to securing possession of property
  189. 19Paragraph 19
  190. Schedule 3: Supplementary Provision as to Qualifications for PSV Operator’s Licence
  191. Good repute
  192. 1Paragraph 1
  193. Appropriate financial standing
  194. 2Paragraph 2
  195. Professional competence
  196. 3Paragraph 3
  197. 4Paragraph 4
  198. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  199. 6Paragraph 6
  200. 7Paragraph 7
  201. Determinations in respect of transport managers
  202. 7AParagraph 7A
  203. 7BParagraph 7B
  204. 7CParagraph 7C
  205. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  206. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  207. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  208. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  209. Schedule S 4, 5. . .
  210. Schedule 6: Transitional Provisions and Savings
  211. Periods of time
  212. 1Paragraph 1
  213. Saving for transitional provisions and savings in orders under section 70(5) and (6) of Transport Act 1980
  214. 2Paragraph 2
  215. Certificates of initial fitness
  216. 3Paragraph 3
  217. 4Paragraph 4
  218. Schedule 7: Consequential Amendments
  219. Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1953 (c. 26)
  220. 1Paragraph 1
  221. Local Government (Omnibus Shelters and Queue Barriers) (Scotland) Act 1958 (c. 50)
  222. 2Paragraph 2
  223. Finance Act 1965 (c. 25)
  224. 3Paragraph 3
  225. 4–8Paragraph 4–8 Repealed
  226. Transport Act 1968 (c. 73)
  227. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  228. 10Paragraph 10
  229. Transport (London)Act 1969 (c. 35)
  230. 11Paragraph 11
  231. 12–15Paragraph 12–15 Repealed
  232. Road Traffic (Foreign Vehicles) Act 1972 (c. 27)
  233. 16Paragraph 16
  234. 17Paragraph 17
  235. 18Paragraph 18
  236. Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 (c. 57)
  237. 19Paragraph 19
  238. 20Paragraph 20
  239. Energy Act 1976 (c. 76)
  240. 21Paragraph 21
  241. 22Paragraph 22
  242. Transport Act 1978 (c. 55)
  243. 23Paragraph 23
  244. 24Paragraph 24 Repealed
  245. Schedule 8Repeals