{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/vehicle-excise-and-registration-act-1994/section-53",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/vehicle-excise-and-registration-act-1994/section-53.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/1994/22",
  "legislation_title": "Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/vehicle-excise-and-registration-act-1994",
  "path": "section/53",
  "kind": "section",
  "number": "53",
  "heading": "Burden of proof.",
  "text": "Where in any proceedings for an offence under section 29, 31A, 34, 37 or 45 any question arises as to—\n(a) the number of vehicles used,\n(b) the character, weight or cylinder capacity of a vehicle,\n(c) the seating capacity of a vehicle, or\n(d) the purpose for which a vehicle has been used,\nthe burden of proof in respect of the matter lies on the accused.",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Word in s. 53 inserted (19.12.2003) by Finance Act 2002 (c. 23), s. 19, Sch. 5 para. 14; S.I. 2003/3086, art. 2(a)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/22/section/53",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T09:34:01.789117+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."
}