OpenLegislation

Transport Act 1968

1968 c. 73 · Enacted 25 October 1968 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 14 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 7 May 2024.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 108(1)(b)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 83(a)
s. 108(1)words substitutedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 83(b)(i)
s. 108(1)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 83(b)(ii)
s. 108(1)words substitutedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 83(b)(iii)
s. 112(3)(d)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 84
s. 49(4)(b)words repealedTransport Act 2000 Sch. 31 Pt. 4
s. 50(1)words repealedTransport Act 2000 Sch. 31 Pt. 4
s. 38repealedTransport Act 2000 Sch. 31 Pt. 4
s. 137(8)words repealedTransport Act 2000 Sch. 31 Pt. 4
s. 135(1)(b)words repealedTransport Act 2000 Sch. 31 Pt. 4
s. 42repealedTransport Act 2000 Sch. 31 Pt. 4
s. 44(1)(b)(iv)words repealedTransport Act 2000 Sch. 31 Pt. 4
s. 49(4)words repealedTransport Act 2000 Sch. 31 Pt. 4
s. 49(4)(a)repealedTransport Act 2000 Sch. 31 Pt. 4
An Act to make further provision with respect to transport and related matters.[25th October 1968]C1C2C3C4C5C6C7C8

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Power to amend and repeal conferred by Transport (Scotland) Act 1989 (c. 23, SIF 126), s. 14(3)(d)

C2

Act excluded by Transport Act 1981 (c. 56, SIF 126), Sch. 4 Pt. I para. 2(1)(3)

C3

Provisions of the Act requiring transport managers for operating centres for authorised vehicles under goods vehicle operator's licences repealed (E.W.) by Transport Act 1982 (c. 49, SIF 126), Sch. 5 para. 6

C4

This Act is not necessarily in the form in which it has effect in Northern Ireland

C5

Act modified (1.6.1993) by S.I. 1993/1119, regs. 3, 4(1), Sch. 1 (as amended (2.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1659, Sch. 3 para. 32(3) (with arts. 4-6))

Act modified (1.6.1993) by S.I. 1993/1119, regs. 3, 4(2), Sch. 2

Act: power to apply conferred (S.) (4.1.1995) by 1994 c. 39, s. 40, Sch. 5 Pt. II para. 15 (with s. 7(2)); S.I. 1994/2850, art. 3(a), Sch. 2

Act amended (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/593, reg. 2, Sch. 1

C6

Act modified (E.W.S.) (11.8.2007) by The Drivers Hours (Goods Vehicles) (Milk Collection) (Temporary Exemption) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/2370), regs. 2, 3

C7

Act: transfer of functions in part (2.7.2012) by The British Waterways Board (Transfer of Functions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1659), art. 2, Sch. 1 (with arts. 4-6)

C8

Act modified (E.) (1.4.2023) by The South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (Transfer of Functions) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/176), arts. 1, 5(3)

Contents

  1. Part I: Integration of Freight Transport Services
  2. 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  3. 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  4. Redistribution of activities between Freight Corporation and Railways Board or Scottish Group
  5. 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  6. 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  7. Part II: Integrated Transport Areas and Passenger Transport Areas
  8. Designation of Integrated Transport Areas or Passenger Transport Areas and establishment and functions of Authorities and Executives
  9. 9Passenger Transport Areas, Authorities and Executives. Areas, Authorities and Executives.
  10. 9AGeneral functions of Authorities and Executives.
  11. 9BConsultation and publicity with respect to policies as to services.
  12. 10General powers of Executive.
  13. 10AFurther powers of Executives
  14. 10BBoundaries of power under section 10A
  15. 10CPower to make provision supplemental to section 10A
  16. 11Financial duty of Executive.
  17. 12Borrowing powers of Executive.
  18. 13Power to make grants.
  19. 13AGuarantees by Authority.
  20. 14Accounts of Executive.
  21. 15Further functions of Authority.
  22. 15AAdditional provisions as to control of Executive by Authority.
  23. 16Publication of annual report by Authority and Executive and prevention of improper conduct of subsidiary activities.
  24. Reorganisation of passenger transport in Integrated Transport Areas or Passenger Transport Areas
  25. 17Transfer to Executive of local authority transport undertakings.
  26. 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  27. 20Special duty of certain Executives with respect to railway passenger services.
  28. 21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  29. General
  30. 22Provisions as to regulations and orders under Part II.
  31. 23Consents of, or directions by, Minister under Part II.
  32. 23AInterpretation of certain provisions of this Part relating to railways.
  33. Part III: Bus and Ferry Services
  34. National Bus Company and Scottish Transport Group
  35. 24Establishment and general duties of Bus Company and Scottish Group. Repealed
  36. 25General powers of Bus Company.
  37. 26General powers of Scottish Group.
  38. 27Financial provisions with respect to Bus Company and Scottish Group.
  39. 28Transfer to Bus Company or Scottish Group of certain securities, rights and liabilities.
  40. 29Transfer of certain property, rights and liabilities between Railways Board and Bus Company or Scottish Group.
  41. Relaxation of control over certain bus services
  42. 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  43. 31Abolition of special control over bus services provided by local authorities outside their areas.
  44. Assistance for bus and ferry services
  45. 32New bus grants. Repealed
  46. 33Section 33
  47. 34Assistance for rural bus or ferry services.
  48. Further provision relating to public service vehicles
  49. 35Section 35
  50. 36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  51. 37Power for local authorities to acquire or dispose of public service vehicle undertakings.
  52. Part IV: Further Provisions as to Boards, New Authorities and Transport Services
  53. Railways Board
  54. 38Composition of Railways Board and removal of requirement for regional boards.
  55. 39. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  56. 40. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  57. Additional financial provisions with respect to Boards and new authorities
  58. 41Financial provisions as to Boards and new authorities.
  59. 42Additional financial provisions as to Railways Board.
  60. 43Additional financial provisions as to Waterways Board.
  61. 43AGrants to Canal & River Trust
  62. 44Account by Minister of receipt and disposal of certain sums.
  63. Additional duties of Boards and new authorities
  64. 45Duty of Freight Corporation and Railways Board to review organisation. Repealed
  65. 46Duty of Boards and new authorities to promote research and development.
  66. Additional powers of Boards and new authorities
  67. 47Extension to new authorities of certain functions of Boards.
  68. 48Manufacture, repair and supply.
  69. 49Powers with respect to land.
  70. 50Miscellaneous provisions as to powers.
  71. 51Subsidiaries and joint subsidiaries.
  72. 52Supplementary and miscellaneous provisions.
  73. Power to dissolve Holding Company, etc.
  74. 53Provisions with respect to Holding Company.
  75. Miscellaneous further provisions with respect to transport services
  76. 54. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  77. 55Amendments as to Transport Consultative Committees Passengers’ Council and London Transport Users’ Committee .
  78. 56Assistance by Minister or local authority towards capital expenditure on public transport facilities.
  79. 57Grants for research or development in connection with transport services, etc.
  80. 57AGrants for research or development in connection with transport services by inland waterways in Scotland
  81. 58. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  82. Part V
  83. The licensing authority
  84. 59The licensing authority for Part V.
  85. O perators’ licences
  86. 60Users of certain goods vehicles to hold operators’ licences.
  87. 61Authorised vehicles.
  88. 61AMaximum numbers of vehicles.
  89. 62Applications for operators’ licences.
  90. 63Objections to grant of operators’ licences.
  91. 64Decision on applications for operators’ licences.
  92. 64AIssue of operators’ licences.
  93. 64BConditions for securing road safety.
  94. 65Conditions as to transport managers. Repealed
  95. 66Conditions as to matters required to be notified to licensing authority.
  96. 67Duration of operators’ licences and grant of interim licences.
  97. 67AInterim licences.
  98. 68Variation of operators’ licences.
  99. 68AInterim variations.
  100. 69Revocation, suspension and curtailment of operators’ licences.
  101. 69AOperating centres for authorised vehicles to be specified in operators’ licences.
  102. 69BObjection to, or refusal or modification of, applications for operators’ licences on environmental grounds.
  103. 69CConditions as to the use of operating centres.
  104. 69DVariation of operators’ licences with respect to operating centres and conditions affecting their use, etc.
  105. 69EPublication of notice of applications for licences and variations in localities affected.
  106. Further provisions about operating centres
  107. 69EAPeriods of review for operating centres.
  108. 69EBPower to remove operating centres on review.
  109. 69ECPowers to attach conditions etc. on review.
  110. 69EDTransfer of operating centres.
  111. 69FRevocation, etc. of operators’ licences for breach of provisions controlling use of operating centres.
  112. 69GProvisions supplementary to sections 69A to 69F.
  113. 69HDeterminations as to environmental matters: supplementary provisions.
  114. Operators’ licences: supplementary provisions
  115. 69IAssessors.
  116. 69JReview of decisions.
  117. 70Rights of appeal in connection with operators’ licences.
  118. Special authorisations for use of large goods vehicles
  119. 71Control of the use of large goods vehicles.
  120. 72. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  121. Enforcement
  122. 81Consignment notes.
  123. 82Powers of entry and inspection.
  124. 83Falsification of consignment notes and records.
  125. 84Evidence by certificate.
  126. Supplementary
  127. 85Holding companies and subsidiaries.
  128. 85APartnerships.
  129. 86Operators’ licences not to be transferable etc.
  130. 87Inquiries.
  131. 88Provisions relating to Transport Tribunal. Repealed
  132. 89Fees.
  133. 90Appointment and remuneration of officers and servants. Repealed
  134. 91Regulations and orders for purposes of Part V.
  135. 92Interpretation of Part V.
  136. Abolition of carriers’ licensing for certain vehicles
  137. 93Carriers’ licences not to be required for small vehicles or for medium vehicles covered by operators’ licences.
  138. Transitional provisions and amendments
  139. 94Transitional provisions and amendments.
  140. Part VI: Drivers’ Hours
  141. 95Vehicles and drivers subject to control under Part VI.
  142. 96Permitted driving time and periods of duty.
  143. 96AAuthorisation of field tests
  144. 97Installation and use of recording equipment : EU requirements.
  145. 97ZAInstallation and use of recording equipment: AETR requirements
  146. 97ZBSupply of recording equipment which is not type-approved
  147. 97ZCRecording equipment system elements: security vulnerabilities
  148. 97AProvisions supplementary to section 97. Repealed
  149. 97AAForgery, etc of seals on recording equipment
  150. 97BSection 97B
  151. 97CDelivery of record sheets and other documents
  152. 97DVehicle units: downloading data
  153. 97EDriver cards: downloading data
  154. 97FDownloading data: requirement imposed by an officer
  155. 97GDownloading and retaining data: offences
  156. 97HAccess to downloaded data
  157. 98Written records.
  158. 99Inspection of records and other documents.
  159. 99ZAInspection of records and other documents and data relating to recording equipment
  160. 99ZBInspection of records and other documents and data relating to recording equipment
  161. 99ZCInspection of records and other documents and data relating to recording equipment
  162. 99ZDInspection of records and other documents and data relating to recording equipment
  163. 99ZEInspection of records and other documents and data relating to recording equipment
  164. 99ZFInspection of records and other documents and data relating to recording equipment
  165. 99ZGPower to stop
  166. 99APower to prohibit driving of vehicle.
  167. 99BDuration and removal of prohibition.
  168. 99CFailure to comply with prohibition.
  169. 100Power to give effect to international agreements.
  170. 101Orders and regulations under Part VI.
  171. 102Application to the Crown and exemption for police and fire brigade.
  172. 102AExclusion of application to tramcars and trolley vehicles.
  173. 102BPartnerships and other unincorporated associations
  174. 102COffences by bodies corporate etc
  175. 103Interpretation, supplementary provisions, etc., for Part VI.
  176. Part VII: Inland Waterways
  177. The Board’s waterways
  178. 104Classification of ... waterways.
  179. 105Maintenance of ... waterways.
  180. 106Enforcement of maintenance duty – the Waterways Board
  181. 106AEnforcement of maintenance duty – Canal & River Trust
  182. 107Amendments as to general duties of Board.
  183. 108Prevention of nuisance as respects certain waterways.
  184. 109Power of certain bodies to maintain or take over waterways and connected works in Scotland.
  185. 110The Inland Waterways Advisory Council Repealed
  186. 110ATerm of office, procedure etc. Repealed
  187. 110BFunctions of Council: England and Wales Repealed
  188. 110CFunctions of Council: Scotland Repealed
  189. 111Access agreements and orders as respects canals other than commercial waterways and cruising waterways.
  190. Other inland waterway provisions
  191. 112Power to extinguish statutory rights and obligations in respect of canals not comprised in undertaking of Board or Canal & River Trust.
  192. 113Byelaws in respect of waterways owned or managed by certain bodies.
  193. 114Power of local authorities to assist in maintaining waterways for amenity purposes.
  194. Supplementary
  195. 115Interpretation of Part VII.
  196. Part VIII: Bridges, Level Crossings, etc.
  197. Bridges
  198. 116Transfer of responsibility for maintenance of highways on bridges over certain railways, inland waterways, etc.
  199. 117Duty ... as respects bridges carrying highways.
  200. 118Duty of highway authorities, etc., as respects bridges over certain railways or inland waterways.
  201. 119Ending of liability ... to make payments on being relieved of responsibility for bridges carrying trunk or special roads.
  202. 120. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  203. 121Application of foregoing sections to other undertakers.
  204. 122Interpretations of sections 116 to 121.
  205. Level crossings
  206. 123Power of highway and other authorities to contribute to cost of barriers, etc., at level crossings.
  207. 124. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  208. Inspectors of railways
  209. 125. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  210. Part IX: Regulation of Road Traffic
  211. 126. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  212. 133. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  213. Part X: Miscellaneous and General
  214. 134Duty to act in certain cases as body engaged in commercial enterprise.
  215. 135Compensation for loss of employment etc.
  216. 136Pensions.
  217. 137Machinery for negotiation and consultation with staff.
  218. 138Travel concessions. Repealed
  219. 139Land required as service area for special road: compensation in certain cases of compulsory acquisition. Repealed
  220. 140. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  221. 141Application of Town and Country Planning Acts.
  222. 142Powers of Minister in connection with channel tunnel. Repealed
  223. 143. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  224. 144Transfer and disposal of historical records and relics.
  225. 145Minor amendments of Road Traffic Act 1960. Repealed
  226. 146Approval marks.
  227. 147. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  228. 148. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  229. 149. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  230. 150. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  231. 151. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  232. 152. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  233. 153. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  234. 154. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  235. 155. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  236. 156Miscellaneous, supplementary and consequential provisions.
  237. 157Orders and regulations.
  238. 158Inquiries.
  239. 159Interpretation—general.
  240. 160Stamp duty.
  241. 161Income tax, etc. Repealed
  242. 162Rating.
  243. 163Expenses.
  244. 164Application to Northern Ireland.
  245. 165. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  246. 166Short title and commencement.
  247. Schedule 1: The New Authorities
  248. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  249. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  250. 3Paragraph 3
  251. 4Paragraph 4
  252. 5Paragraph 5
  253. 6Paragraph 6
  254. Schedule 2: Commencing Capital Debts of New Authorities
  255. 1Paragraph 1
  256. 2Paragraph 2
  257. 3Paragraph 3
  258. 4Paragraph 4
  259. 5Paragraph 5
  260. Schedule 3
  261. Schedule 4: Supplementary Provisions as to certain Transfers of Property, Rights and Liabilities
  262. Allocation of property, rights and liabilities
  263. 1Paragraph 1
  264. Rights and liabilities under agreement for rendering of personal services
  265. 2Paragraph 2
  266. Right to production of documents of title
  267. 3Paragraph 3
  268. Perfection of vesting of certain property or rights
  269. 4Paragraph 4
  270. Proof of title by certificate
  271. 5Paragraph 5
  272. Restrictions on dealing with certain land
  273. 6Paragraph 6
  274. Construction of agreements, statutory provisions and documents
  275. 7Paragraph 7
  276. 8Paragraph 8
  277. 9Paragraph 9
  278. 10Paragraph 10
  279. 11Paragraph 11
  280. 12Paragraph 12
  281. Third parties affected by vesting provisions
  282. 13Paragraph 13
  283. Schedule 5: Passenger Transport Authorities and Executives Passenger Transport Executives
  284. Part I
  285. The Authority
  286. 1Paragraph 1
  287. 2Paragraph 2
  288. 3Paragraph 3
  289. 4Paragraph 4
  290. 5Paragraph 5
  291. Part II
  292. The Executive
  293. 1Paragraph 1
  294. 2Paragraph 2
  295. 3Paragraph 3
  296. 4Paragraph 4
  297. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  298. Part III
  299. Matters which may be dealt with by order under s. 9(1)
  300. 1Paragraph 1
  301. 2Paragraph 2
  302. 3Paragraph 3
  303. 4Paragraph 4
  304. 5Paragraph 5
  305. 6Paragraph 6
  306. 7Paragraph 7
  307. 8Paragraph 8
  308. 9Paragraph 9
  309. 10Paragraph 10
  310. 11Paragraph 11
  311. 12Paragraph 12
  312. 13Paragraph 13
  313. 14Paragraph 14
  314. 15Paragraph 15
  315. 16Paragraph 16
  316. 17Paragraph 17
  317. Schedule 6: . . .
  318. Schedule 7: Bodies whose Securities are Transferred to Bus Company
  319. Schedule 8: New Bus Grants—Supplementary Provisions Repealed
  320. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  321. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  322. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  323. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  324. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  325. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  326. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  327. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  328. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  329. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  330. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  331. Schedule 8A: Transfer of operating centres
  332. Schedule 9: . . .
  333. Schedule 10: Amendments Consequential on Part V
  334. IPart I
  335. IIAMENDMENTS AS FROM APPOINTED DAY FOR PURPOSES OF S. 94(8)
  336. Schedule 11: Amendments Consequential on Part VI
  337. The Road Traffic Act 1960Part The Road Traffic Act 1960
  338. Schedule 12: Commercial and Cruising Waterways
  339. ICommercial Waterways
  340. IICruising Waterways
  341. Schedule 13: Order Relating to Inland Waterways
  342. Preliminary
  343. 1Paragraph 1
  344. Consultation
  345. 2Paragraph 2
  346. 3Paragraph 3
  347. 3AParagraph 3A
  348. 4Paragraph 4
  349. Publication of proposed orders and consideration of objections
  350. 5Paragraph 5
  351. Interpretation
  352. 6Paragraph 6
  353. Schedule 14
  354. Schedule 15: . . .
  355. Schedule 16: Supplementary or Consequential Provisions
  356. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  357. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  358. 4Paragraph 4
  359. 5Paragraph 5
  360. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  361. 7Paragraph 7
  362. 8Paragraph 8
  363. 9Paragraph 9
  364. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  365. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  366. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  367. Schedule 17: Application to Northern Ireland
  368. Part I
  369. Provisions extending to Northern Ireland
  370. Part II
  371. Modifications
  372. 1Paragraph 1
  373. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  374. 3Paragraph 3
  375. 4Paragraph 4
  376. 5Paragraph 5
  377. 6Paragraph 6
  378. 7Paragraph 7
  379. 8Paragraph 8
  380. 9Paragraph 9
  381. Schedule 18