{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/road-traffic-act-1972/schedule-4/part-I/crossheading-offences-under-this-act",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/road-traffic-act-1972/schedule-4/part-I/crossheading-offences-under-this-act.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/1972/20",
  "legislation_title": "Road Traffic Act 1972",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/road-traffic-act-1972",
  "path": "schedule/4/part/I/crossheading/offences-under-this-act",
  "kind": "crossheading",
  "number": null,
  "heading": "Offences under this Act",
  "text": "1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\nProvision creating offence\nGeneral nature of offence\nMode of prosecution\nPunishment\nDisqualification\nEndorsement\nAdditional provisions\n1\nCausing death by reckless or dangerous driving.\nOn indictment.\n5 years or, in the case of a conviction by a court in Scotland other than the High Court of Justiciary, 2 years.\nObligatory.\nObligatory.\nSection 181 and paragraph 3 of Part IV of this Schedule apply.\n2\nReckless, and dangerous, driving generally.\n(a) Summarily.\n4 months or £100 or both; or in the case of a second or subsequent conviction 6 months or £100 or both.\n(a) Obligatory, if committed within 3 years after a previous conviction of an offence under section 1 or 2.\nObligatory.\nSections 179, 181 and 183 and paragraphs 1,2, 3, 5 and 6 of Part IV of this Schedule apply.\n(b) On indictment.\n2 years or a fine or both.\n(b) Discretionary if committed otherwise than as mentioned in paragraph (a) above.\n3\nCareless, and inconsiderate, driving.\nSummarily.\n£100; or in the case of a second or subsequent conviction 3 months or £100 or both.\nDiscretionary.\nObligatory.\nSections 179, 181 and 183 and paragraphs 4 and 7 of Part IV of this Schedule apply.\n4(4)\nDriving under age.\nSummarily.\n£50.\nDiscretionary.\nObligatory.\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n5(1)\nDriving or attempting to drive when unfit to drive through drink or drugs.\n(a) Summarily.\n4 months or £100 or both; or in the case of a second or subsequent conviction or of a conviction subsequent to a conviction of an offence under section 6(1) or 9(3) (where it was shown as mentioned in paragraph (i) of the entry in this column relating to that offence), 6 months or £100 or both.\nObligatory.\nObligatory.\nSections 181 and 183 and paragraph 3 of Part IV of this Schedule apply.\n(b) On indictment.\n2 years or a fine or both.\n5(2)\nBeing in charge of a motor vehicle when unfit to drive through drink or drugs.\n(a) Summarily.\nDiscretionary.\nObligatory.\nSections 181 and 183 and paragraph 3 of Part IV of this Schedule apply.\n(b) On indictment.\n4 months or £100 or both. 12 months or a fine or both.\n6(1)\nDriving or attempting to drive with blood-alcohol concentration above the prescribed limit.\n(a) Summarily.\n4 months or £100 or both; or in the case of a second or subsequent conviction or of a conviction subsequent to a conviction of an offence under section 5(1) or 9(3) (where it was shown as mentioned in paragraph (i) of the entry in this column relating to that offence), 6 months or £100 or both.\nObligatory.\nObligatory.\nSections 181 and 183 and paragraph 3 of Part IV of this Schedule apply.\n(b) On indictment.\n2 years or a fine or both.\n6(2)\nBeing in charge of a motor vehicle with blood-alcohol concentration above the prescribed limit.\n(a) Summarily.\n4 months or £100 or both.\nDiscretionary.\nObligatory.\nSections 181 and 183 and paragraph 3 of Part IV of this Schedule apply.\n(b) On indictment.\n12 months or a fine or both.\n8(3)\nFailing to provide a specimen of breath for a breath test.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n9(3)\nFailing to provide a specimen of blood or urine for a laboratory test.\n(a) Summarily.\n(i) Where it is shown that at the relevant time (as defined in Part V of this Schedule) the offender was driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle on a road or other public place, 4 months or £100 or both; or in the case of a conviction subsequent to a conviction under section 5(1) or 6(1) or to a conviction under section 9(3) where it was so shown, 6 months or £100 or both.\n(a) Obligatory if it is shown as mentioned in paragraph (i) of column 4.\nObligatory.\nSections 181 and 183 and paragraph 3 of Part IV of this Schedule apply.\n(ii) Where in any other case it is shown that at that time the offender was in charge of a motor vehicle on a road or other public place, 4 months or £100 or both.\n(b) On indictment.\n(iii) 2 years or a fine or both in the case of a conviction where it is shown as mentioned in paragraph (i) above.\n(b) Discretionary if it is not so shown.\n(iv) 12 months or a fine or both in the case of a conviction where it is shown as mentioned in paragraph (ii) above.\n14\nMotor racing and speed trials on highways.\nSummarily.\n3 months or £100 or both.\nObligatory.\nObligatory.\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n15\nOther unauthorised or irregular competitions or trials on highways.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\n—\n16\nCarrying passenger on motor-cycle contrary to section 16.\nSummarily.\n£20.\nDiscretionary.\nObligatory.\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n17\nReckless, and dangerous, cycling.\nSummarily.\n£30; or in the case of a second or subsequent conviction 3 months or £30.\n—\n—\nSections 179, 181 and 183 apply.\n18\nCareless, and inconsiderate, cycling.\nSummarily.\n£10; or in the case of a second or subsequent conviction £20.\n—\n—\nSections 179, 181 and 183 and paragraphs 4 and 7 of Part IV of this Schedule apply.\n19\nCycling when unfit through drink or drugs.\nSummarily.\n£30; or in the case of a second or subsequent conviction 3 months or £30.\n—\n—\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n20\nUnauthorised or irregular cycle racing or trials of speed on highways.\nSummarily.\n£10.\n—\n—\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n21\nCarrying passenger on bicycle contrary to section 21.\nSummarily.\n£5; or in the case of a second or subsequent conviction £10.\n—\n—\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n22\nFailing to comply with traffic directions.\nSummarily.\n£50.\nDiscretionary, if committed in respect of a motor vehicle by a failure to comply with a direction of a constable or an indication given by a sign specified for the purposes of this paragraph in regulations made by the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Secretary of State for Scotland acting jointly.\nObligatory, if committed as described in the entry in column 5 relating to this offence.\nSections 179, 181 and 183 apply.\n23\nPedestrian failing to stop when directed by constable regulating traffic-\nSummarily.\n£10; or in the case of a second or subsequent conviction £25.\n—\n—\n—\n24\nLeaving vehicles in dangerous positions.\nSummarily.\n£50; or in the case of a second or subsequent conviction 3 months or £50.\nDiscretionary, if committed in respect of a motor vehicle.\nObligatory, if committed in respect of a motor vehicle.\nSections 179, 181 and 183 apply.\n25(4)\nFailing to stop after accident and give particulars or report accident.\nSummarily.\n3 months or £50.\nDiscretionary,\nObligatory.\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n26(2)\nObstructing inspection of vehicles after accident.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\n—\n29\nTampering with motor vehicles.\nSummarily.\n3 months or £50.\n—\n—\nSection 181 applies.\n30(1)\nHolding or getting on to vehicle in order to be carried.\nSummarily.\n£10.\n—\n—\nSection 181 applies.\n30(2)\nHolding on to vehicle in order to be towed.\nSummarily.\n£10.\n—\n—\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n31(1)\nDogs on designated roads without being held on lead.\nSummarily.\n£5.\n—\n—\n—\n32(3)\nDriving or riding motor cycles in contravention of regulations requiring wearing of protective headgear.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\n—\n33\nSelling, etc., helmet not of prescribed type as helmet for affording protection for motor cyclists.\nSummarily.\n£20; or in the case of a second or subsequent conviction 3 months or £50 or both.\n—\n—\n—\n34(4)\nCausing, etc. heavy motor vehicles to be driven or to haul without proper crew.\nSummarily.\n£20; or in the case of a second or subsequent conviction 3 months or £50.\n—\n—\nSection 181 applies.\n35(3)\nUnauthorised motor vehicle trial on footpaths or bridleways.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n36\nDriving motor vehicles elsewhere than on roads.\nSummarily.\n£10.\n—\n—\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n40(5)\nContravention of construction and use regulations.\nSummarily.\n£200 in the case of an offence of using, or causing or permitting the use of, a goods vehicle—\n(a) so as to cause, or to be likely to cause, danger by the condition of the vehicle or its parts or accessories, the number of passengers carried by it, or the weight, distribution, packing or adjustment of its load; or\n(b) in breach of a construction and use requirement as to brakes, steering-gear, tyres or any description of weight;\n£50 in any other case.\nDiscretionary if committed by using, or causing or permitting the use of, any motor vehicle or trailer—\n(a) as described in paragraph (a) in the entry in column 4 relating to this offence; or\n(b) in breach of a construction and use requirement as to brakes, steering-gear, or tyres;\nexcept where the offender proves that he did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the facts of the case were such that the offence would be committed.\nObligatory if committed as described in the entry in column 5 relating to this offence, but subject to the exception there mentioned.\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n44(1)\nUsing, etc., vehicle without required test certificate being in force.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\nRegulations under 45(7)\nContravention of requirement of regulations that driver of goods vehicle being tested be present throughout test or drive vehicle, etc., which is declared by regulations to be an offence.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\n—\n46(1)\nUsing, etc., goods vehicle without required plating certificate being in force.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n46(2)\nUsing, etc., goods vehicle without required goods vehicle testcertific te being in force.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n46(3)\nUsing, etc., goods vehicle with alteration thereto required to be but not notified to Secretary of State under regulations under section 45.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\nRegulations under 50(5)\nContravention of requirement of regulations that driver of goods vehicle being tested after notifiable alteration be present throughout test and drive vehicle, etc., which is declared by regulations to be an offence.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\n—\n51(1)\nUsing, etc., goods vehicle without required certificate being in force showing that it complies with type approval requirements applicable to it.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n51(2)\nUsing, etc., certain goods vehicles for drawing trailer when plating certificate does not specify maximum laden weight for vehicle and trailer.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n51(3)\nUsing, etc., goods vehicle with alteration theretorequired to be but not notified to Secretary of State under regulations under section 48.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n53(4)\nObstructing testing of vehicle by examiner on road or failing to comply with requirements of section 53 or Schedule 3.\nSummarily.\n£20.\n—\n—\n—\n54(5) (including application by 55(3))\nFailure of owner of vehicle discovered to be defective on roadside test or further test to give required certificate or declaration.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\n—\n54(6) (including application by 55(3))\nFailure of person in charge of vehicle on roadside test or further test to give particulars of owner.\nSummarily.\n£20.\n—\n—\n—\n55(5)\nObstructing further testing of vehicle by Secretary of State's officer or failing to comply with requirements of section 55 or paragraph 3 or 4 of Schedule 3.\nSummarily.\n£20.\n—\n—\n—\n56(3)\nObstructing goods vehicle examiner inspecting goods vehicle or entering premises where such vehicle believed to be.\nSummarily.\n£20; or in the case of a second or subsequent conviction £50.\n—\n—\n—\n56(5)\nPerson in charge of stationary goods Vehicle refusing etc., to proceed to nearby place of inspection.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\n—\n57(9)\nDriving, etc., goods vehicle in contravention of prohibition on driving it as being unfit for service.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n59(3)\nContravention of regulations requiring goods vehicle operator to inspect, and keep records of inspections of, goods vehicles.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\n—\n60(3)\nSelling, etc., unroadworthy vehicle or trailer or altering vehicle or trailer so as to make it unroadworthy.\nSummarily.\n£100.\n—\n—\n—\n61(2)\nObstructing examiner testing condition of used vehicles at sale rooms, etc.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\n—\n62\nSelling, etc., goods vehicle without required certificate being in force showing that it complies with type approval requirements applicable to it.\nSummarily.\n£100.\n—\n—\n—\n65(5)\nDrawing more than prescribed number of trailers.\nSummarily.\n£50\n—\n—\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n66(5)\nSelling, etc., pedal cycle in contravention of regulations as to brakes, bells, etc.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\n—\n810)\nCausing, etc., vehicle to be on road in contravention of provisions as to lighting, etc., of vehicles.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n81(2)\nSelling, etc., wrongly made tail lamps or reflectors.\nSummarily.\n£20.\n—\n—\n—\n84(1)\nDriving without a licence.\nSummarily.\n£50\nDiscretionary, if the offence is committed by driving a motor vehicle in a case where either no licence authorising the driving of that vehicle could have been granted to the offender or, if a provisional (but no other) licence to drive it could have been granted to him, the driving would not have complied with the conditions thereof.\nObligatory, if committed as described in the entry in column 5 relating to this offence.\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n84(2)\nEmploying a person to drive without a licence.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\nSection 181 applies.\n88(6)\nFailing to comply with any conditions prescribed for driving under provisional licence or full licence treated as provisional licence.\nSummarily.\n£50.\nDiscretionary.\nObligatory.\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n89(3)\nDriving licence holder failing, when his particulars become incorrect, to surrender licence and give particulars.\nSummarily.\n£20.\n—\n—\n—\n91(1)\nDriving with uncorrected defective eyesight.\nSummarily.\n3 months or £50.\nDiscretionary.\nObligatory.\n—\n91(2)\nRefusing to submit to test of eyesight.\nSummarily.\n£50.\nDiscretionary.\nObligatory.\n—\n99(a)\nObtaining driving licence while disqualified.\nSummarily.\n6 months or £50 or both.\n—\n—\nSection 180 applies.\n99(b)\nDriving while disqualified.\n(a) Summarily.\n6 months or £50 or both.\nDiscretionary.\nObligatory.\nSections 180, 181 and 183 apply.\n(b) On indictment.\n12 months or £100 or both.\n101(4) (including application by 103(4))\nFailing to produce licence to court for endorsement on conviction of offence involving obligatory endorsement or on committal for sentence, etc., for offence involving obligatory or discretionary disqualification when no interim disqualification ordered.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\n—\n101(6)\nApplying for or obtaining licence without giving particulars of current endorsement.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\n—\n103(2)\nFailing to produce driving licence to court making order for interim disqualification On committal for sentence, etc.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\n—\n104(4)\nFailing to state to court or give information as to date of birth or sex.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\n—\n104(5)\nFailing to furnish Secretary of State with evidence of date of birth etc.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\n—\n111(2)\nFailing to produce to court Northern Ireland driving licence.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\n—\n112(1)\nDriving heavy goods vehicle without heavy goods vehicle driver's licence.\nSummarily.\n£20; or in the case of a second or subsequent conviction 3 months or £50.\n—\n—\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n112(2)\nEmploying a person to drive heavy goods vehicle without heavy goods vehicle driver's licence.\nSummarily.\n£20; or in the case of a second or subsequent conviction 3 months or £50.\n—\n—\nSection 181 applies.\n114(3)\nFailing to comply with conditions of heavy goods vehicle driver's licence.\nSummarily.\n£20; or in the case of a second or subsequent conviction 3 months or £50.\n—\n—\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\nRegulations under 119(2)\nContravention of regulations about heavy goods vehicle drivers' licences which is declared by regulation to be an offence.\nSummarily.\n£20.\n—\n—\n—\n126(3)\nGiving of paid driving instruction by unregistered and unlicensed persons or their employers.\nSummarily.\n4 months or £100 or both.\n—\n—\n—\n135(2)\nUnregistered instructor using title or displaying badge, etc., prescribed for registered instructor, and employers using such title, etc., in relation to his unregistered instructor or issuing misleading advertisement, etc.\nSummarily.\n£100.\n—\n—\n—\n136\nFailure of instructor to surrender to Registrar certificate or licence.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\n—\n137(3)\nFailing to produce certificate of registration or licence as driving instructor.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\n—\n143\nUsing motor vehicle while uninsured or unsecured against third-party risks.\nSummarily.\n3 months or £50 or both.\nDiscretionary.\nObligatory.\nSections 180, 181 and 183 apply.\n147(4)\nFailing to surrender certificate of insurance or security to insurer on cancellation or make statutory declaration of loss or destruction.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\n—\n151(2)\nFailing to give information, or wilfully making false statement, as to insurance or security when claim made.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\n—\n159\nFailing to stop vehicle when required by constable.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n160(1)\nRefusing or neglecting to allow motor vehicle or trailer to be weighed, etc.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n161(4)\nFailing to produce driving licence to constable or to state date of birth.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n161(5)\nFailing to furnish Secretary of State with evidence of date of birth, etc.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\n—\n162(1)\nFailing to give constable certain names and addresses or to produce certificate of insurance or certain test and other like certificates.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n162(3)\nSupervisor of learner-driver failing to give constable certain names and addresses.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\nSection 181 applies.\n164(1)\nRefusing to give, or giving false, name and address in case of reckless, dangerous, careless or inconsiderate driving or cycling.\nSummarily.\n£20; or in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, 3 months or £50.\n—\n—\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n165\nPedestrian failing to give constable his name and address after failing to stop when directed by constable controlling traffic.\nSummarily.\n£5.\n—\n—\n—\n166(1)\nFailure by driver, in case of accident involving injury to another, to produce evidence of insurance or security or to report accident.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n167\nFailure by owner of motor vehicle to give police information for verifying compliance with requirement of compulsory insurance or security.\nSummarily.\n£20; or in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, 3 months or £50.\n—\n—\nSections 181 and 183 apply.\n168(3)\nFailure of person keeping vehicle and others to give police information as to identity of driver, etc., in the case of certain offences.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\n—\n169(1)\nForgery, etc., of licences, test certificates, certificates of insurance and other documents and things.\n(a) Summarily.\n4 months or £100 or both.\n—\n—\nSection 180 applies.\n(b) On indictment\n2 years.\n170(1)\nMaking false statements in connection with licences under this Act and with registration as an approved driving instructor.\nSummarily.\n4 months or £100 or both.\n—\n—\nSection 180 applies.\n170(2)\nMaking, or making use of, false statements relating to goods vehicles.\nSummarily.\n4 months or £100 or both.\n—\n—\n—\n170(3)\nProducing false evidence or making false declaration in connection with applications for vehicle excise licences for vehicles required to have test certificates.\nSummarily.\n4 months or £100 or both.\n—\n—\n—\n170(4)\nMaking false statements as to the remedying of defects discovered in vehicles on roadside tests.\nSummarily.\n4 months or £100 or both.\n—\n—\n—\n170(5)\nMaking, or making use of, false entry in records required to be kept of condition of goods vehicles.\nSummarily.\n4 months or £100 or both.\n—\n—\n—\n170(6)\nMaking false statement or withholding material information in order to obtain the issue of insurance certificates, etc.\nSummarily.\n4 months or £100 or both.\n—\n—\nSection 180 applies.\n171\nIssuing false insurance certificates, etc., or false test certificates.\nSummarily.\n6 months or £100 or both.\n—\n—\nSection 180 applies.\n172\nUsing goods vehicle with unauthorised weights as well as authorised weights marked thereon.\nSummarily.\n£50.\n—\n—\n—\n174\nPersonation of, or of person employed by, authorised examiner.\nSummarily.\n£100.\n—\n—\n—\n175\nTaking, etc., in Scotland a motor vehicle without authority or, knowing that it has been so taken, driving it or allowing oneself to be carried in it without authority.\n(a) Summarily.\n3 months or £50.\nDiscretionary.\nObligatory.\nSections 181 and 183 and paragraph 8 of Part IV of this Schedule apply.\n(b) On indictment.\n12 months or a fine or both.\n187(2)\nFailing to attend, give evidence or produce documents to, inquiry held by Secretary of State, etc.\nSummarily.\n£5.\n—\n—\n—\nSchedule 1 para. 5(1)\nApplying warranty to protective helmet in defending proceedings under section 33 where no warranty given.\nSummarily.\n£20; or in the case of a second or subsequent conviction 3 months or £50 or both.\n—\n—\n—\npara. 5(2)\nGiving to purchaser of protective helmet a false warranty in case where warranty might be defence in proceedings under section 33.\nSummarily.\n£20; or in the case of a second or subsequent conviction 3 months or £50 or both.\n—\n—\n—",
  "extent": null,
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1972/20/schedule/4/part/I/crossheading/offences-under-this-act",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T10:49:09.170683+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}