Road Traffic Act 1988

Changes over time for: Section 151

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Changes to legislation:

Road Traffic Act 1988, Section 151 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 26 November 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.

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Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):

s. 3B-3D inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 54(1)
s. 13A(1A) inserted by 2024 c. 10 Sch. 3 para. 1(4)(b)
s. 22B inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 54(2)
s. 25(1) s. 25 renumbered as s. 25(1) by 2024 c. 10 s. 55(a)
s. 25(2) inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 55(b)
s. 34A inserted by 2000 c. 37 Sch. 7 para. 6 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. The amending provision has been repealed)
s. 34B 34C and cross-heading inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 53(1)
s. 41(2)(m) inserted by 2006 c. 49 s. 18(1)(a)
s. 41(2)(ba) inserted by 2006 c. 49 s. 56(3)
s. 49(3A) inserted by 2006 c. 49 s. 48(1)
s. 66(7A) inserted by 2006 c. 49 s. 56(5)
s. 67(1A)(1B) inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 92(2)(a)
s. 67(3B)(d) and word inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 92(2)(b)(ii)
s. 67(8A) inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 92(2)(c)
s. 67(11) inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 92(2)(d)
s. 68(6)(d) and word inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 92(3)(b)(ii)
s. 68(7)(8) inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 92(3)(c)
s. 69(1)(d) and word inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 92(4)(a)
s. 69(2)(d) and word inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 92(4)(b)
s. 69(10) inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 92(4)(c)
s. 76(11) inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 56
s. 85(1) words omitted (temp.) by S.I. 2019/648 reg. 2(5)(a) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Reg. 2(5)(a) substituted (1.9.2020) by S.I. 2020/818, regs. 1(b), Sch. 6 para. 39(2)(c)(i))
s. 85(1) words omitted (temp.) by S.I. 2019/648 reg. 2(5)(d) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Reg. 2(5)(a) substituted (1.9.2020) by S.I. 2020/818, regs. 1(b), Sch. 6 para. 39(2)(c)(ii))
s. 85(2) added by 1988 c. 54 Sch. 2 para. 17(c)
s. 97(1)(c)(ia) words repealed by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 3 para. 6(2)(b) Sch. 7(4)
s. 97(1)(d)(ii) words omitted by S.I. 2018/1251 reg. 2(4)
s. 97(1ZA) inserted by 2006 c. 49 s. 38(2)
s. 108(1BA) inserted by S.I. 2018/1251 reg. 2(5)(c)
s. 123 123A substituted for s. 123 by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 2
s. 123A(3) words inserted by 2009 c. 17 s. 1(3)
s. 124(3)-(5) inserted by 2009 c. 17 s. 3
s. 124(6) inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 2(b) (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 125(3A)-(3D) inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 3(2) (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 125(5A) inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 3(3) (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 125A(5)-(7E) substituted for s. 125A(5)-(7) by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 6(3)
s. 125ZA inserted by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 5
s. 125ZA(2)(b) word omitted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 4(2)(a) (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 125ZA(2)(d) and word inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 4(2)(b) (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 125ZA(4)(c) word omitted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 4(3)(c) (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 125ZA(4)(c) words substituted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 4(3)(b) (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 125ZA(4)(ba)(bb) inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 4(3)(a) (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 125ZA(4)(ca) inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 4(3)(d) (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 126(5) omitted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 6 (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 126A inserted by 2016 c. 16 s. 1(3)
s. 126A omitted (cond.) by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 8A (as inserted) by 2016 c. 16 s. 3(3)
s. 126A heading words inserted by S.I. 2016/1089 reg. 3(2) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Regs. 3, 4 omitted (1.12.2023) without ever being in force by virtue of S.I. 2023/1286, regs. 1, 7(3))
s. 126A(1) words inserted by S.I. 2016/1089 reg. 3(3)(a) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Regs. 3, 4 omitted (1.12.2023) without ever being in force by virtue of S.I. 2023/1286, regs. 1, 7(3))
s. 126A(1) words inserted by S.I. 2016/1089 reg. 3(3)(b) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Regs. 3, 4 omitted (1.12.2023) without ever being in force by virtue of S.I. 2023/1286, regs. 1, 7(3))
s. 128A inserted by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 11
s. 128A(4) inserted by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 11 (as inserted) by 2016 c. 16 s. 4(4)
s. 128B inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 9 (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 128ZA inserted by 2009 c. 17 s. 1(1)
s. 128ZB inserted by 2009 c. 17 s. 2
s. 128AZA 128AZB inserted by 2016 c. 16 s. 2(2)
s. 128AZA 128AZB inserted (cond.) by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 10A (as inserted) by 2016 c. 16 s. 4(2)
s. 128AZA 128AZB substituted (cond.) by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 10A (as inserted) by 2016 c. 16 s. 4(2)
s. 128AZA heading words inserted by S.I. 2016/1089 reg. 4(2)(a) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Regs. 3, 4 omitted (1.12.2023) without ever being in force by virtue of S.I. 2023/1286, regs. 1, 7(3))
s. 128AZA(1) words inserted by S.I. 2016/1089 reg. 4(2)(b) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Regs. 3, 4 omitted (1.12.2023) without ever being in force by virtue of S.I. 2023/1286, regs. 1, 7(3))
s. 128AZA(4) words inserted by S.I. 2016/1089 reg. 4(2)(c) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Regs. 3, 4 omitted (1.12.2023) without ever being in force by virtue of S.I. 2023/1286, regs. 1, 7(3))
s. 128AZB heading words inserted by S.I. 2016/1089 reg. 4(3)(a) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Regs. 3, 4 omitted (1.12.2023) without ever being in force by virtue of S.I. 2023/1286, regs. 1, 7(3))
s. 128AZB(1) words inserted by S.I. 2016/1089 reg. 4(3)(b)(i) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Regs. 3, 4 omitted (1.12.2023) without ever being in force by virtue of S.I. 2023/1286, regs. 1, 7(3))
s. 128AZB(1) words inserted by S.I. 2016/1089 reg. 4(3)(b)(ii) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Regs. 3, 4 omitted (1.12.2023) without ever being in force by virtue of S.I. 2023/1286, regs. 1, 7(3))
s. 131(A1)-(C1) inserted by 2006 c. 49, Sch. 6 para. 13(1A) (as inserted) by S.I. 2023/1286 Sch. 3 para. 92(2)(a)(i)
s. 131(3)(b)(c) substituted for s. 131(3)(b) and word by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 13(4)
s. 131(6) inserted by 2016 c. 16 s. 2(4)
s. 131(6) inserted by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 13(9) (as inserted) by 2016 c. 16 s. 4(5)
s. 131(6) substituted by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 13(9) (as inserted) by 2016 c. 16 s. 4(5)
s. 132-133ZA and cross-heading substituted for ss. 132, 133 and cross-heading by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 14
s. 133(2)(a) words omitted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 10(a) (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 133(2)(b) words omitted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 10(b) (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 133D(1A) inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 14(2) (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 140(1)(2) inserted by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 23(2)
s. 140(1A) inserted in earlier affecting provision 2006 c. 49, Sch. 6 para. 23(2) by S.I. 2023/1286 Sch. 3 para. 92(2)(b)
s. 140(3) s. 140 renumbered as s. 140(3) by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 23(1)
s. 141A(5) words repealed by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 3 para. 24 Sch. 7(4)
s. 143(1A) repealed (cond.) by S.I. 2019/1047 Sch. 2 para. 2 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. The insertion of s. 143(1A) by 2018 c. 18, Sch. para. 17 was repealed (1.11.2019) by The Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1047), reg. 1, Sch. 2 para. 1 (with reg. 5) without ever being brought into force.)
s. 145(3A) word inserted by 2024 c. 10 Sch. 2 para. 4(2)
s. 173(2)(g)-(gb) substituted for s. 173(2)(g) by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 27
s. 173(2)(n) and word inserted by 2006 c. 49 s. 37(8)
s. 174(1)(da) inserted by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 28
s. 183(6A) inserted by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 29
s. 192(1ZA) inserted by 2024 c. 10 Sch. 2 para. 4(5)(b)

151 Duty of insurers F1... to satisfy judgment against persons insured F2... .E+W+S

(1)This section applies where, after [F3a policy [F4is issued] for the purposes of this Part of this Act,] a judgment to which this subsection applies is obtained.

(2)Subsection (1) above applies to judgments relating to a liability with respect to any matter where liability with respect to that matter is required to be covered by a policy of insurance under section 145 of this Act and either—

(a)it is a liability covered by the terms of the policy F5... F6... , and the judgment is obtained against any person who is insured by the policy F7... , or

(b)it is a liability, other than an excluded liability, which would be so covered if the policy insured all persons F8... and the judgment is obtained against any person other than one who is insured by the policy F9... .

(3)In deciding for the purposes of subsection (2) above whether a liability is or would be covered by the terms of a policy F10... , so much of the policy F10... as purports to restrict F11... the insurance of the persons insured by the policy F12... by reference to the holding by the driver of the vehicle of a licence authorising him to drive it shall be treated as of no effect.

(4)In subsection (2)(b) above “excluded liability” means a liability in respect of the death of, or bodily injury to, or damage to the property of any person who, at the time of the use which gave rise to the liability, was allowing himself to be carried in or upon the vehicle and knew or had reason to believe that the vehicle had been stolen or unlawfully taken, not being a person who—

(a)did not know and had no reason to believe that the vehicle had been stolen or unlawfully taken until after the commencement of his journey, and

(b)could not reasonably have been expected to have alighted from the vehicle.

In this subsection the reference to a person being carried in or upon a vehicle includes a reference to a person entering or getting on to, or alighting from, the vehicle.

(5)Notwithstanding that the insurer may be entitled to avoid or cancel, or may have avoided or cancelled, the policy F13... , he must, subject to the provisions of this section, pay to the persons entitled to the benefit of the judgment—

(a)as regards liability in respect of death or bodily injury, any sum payable under the judgment in respect of the liability, together with any sum which, by virtue of any enactment relating to interest on judgments, is payable in respect of interest on that sum,

(b)as regards liability in respect of damage to property, any sum required to be paid under subsection (6) below, and

(c)any amount payable in respect of costs.

(6)This subsection requires—

(a)where the total of any amounts paid, payable or likely to be payable under the policy F14... in respect of damage to property caused by, or arising out of, the accident in question does not exceed [F15£1,200,000], the payment of any sum payable under the judgment in respect of the liability, together with any sum which, by virtue of any enactment relating to interest on judgments, is payable in respect of interest on that sum,

(b)where that total exceeds [F15£1,200,000], the payment of either—

(i)such proportion of any sum payable under the judgment in respect of the liability as [F15£1,200,000] bears to that total, together with the same proportion of any sum which, by virtue of any enactment relating to interest on judgments, is payable in respect of interest on that sum, or

(ii)the difference between the total of any amounts already paid under the policy F14... in respect of such damage and [F15£1,200,000], together with such proportion of any sum which, by virtue of any enactment relating to interest on judgments, is payable in respect of interest on any sum payable under the judgment in respect of the liability as the difference bears to that sum,

whichever is the less, unless not less than [F15£1,200,000] has already been paid under the policy F14... in respect of such damage (in which case nothing is payable).

(7)Where an insurer becomes liable under this section to pay an amount in respect of a liability of a person who is insured by a policy F16... , he is entitled to recover from that person—

(a)that amount, in a case where he became liable to pay it by virtue only of subsection (3) above, or

(b)in a case where that amount exceeds the amount for which he would, apart from the provisions of this section, be liable under the policy F17... in respect of that liability, the excess.

(8)Where an insurer becomes liable under this section to pay an amount in respect of a liability of a person who is not insured by a policy F18... , he is entitled to recover the amount from that person or from any person who—

(a)is insured by the policy F19... by the terms of which the liability would be covered if the policy insured all persons F20... , and

(b)caused or permitted the use of the vehicle which gave rise to the liability.

(9)In this section—

F21(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F22(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)“term-liability-covered-by-the-terms-of-the-policy-or-securityliability covered by the terms of the policy F23...” means a liability which is covered by the policy F23... or which would be so covered but for the fact that the insurer is entitled to avoid or cancel, or has avoided or cancelled, the policy F23... .

(10)In the application of this section to Scotland, the words “by virtue of any enactment relating to interest on judgments” in subsections (5) and (6) (in each place where they appear) shall be omitted.

Textual Amendments

F1Words in s. 151 heading omitted (1.11.2019) by virtue of The Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1047), reg. 1, Sch. 1 para. 14(2)(a) (with reg. 5)

F2Words in s. 151 heading omitted (1.11.2019) by virtue of The Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1047), reg. 1, Sch. 1 para. 14(2)(b) (with reg. 5)

F3Words in s. 151(1) substituted (30.6.2015) by Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), s. 115(7), Sch. 3 para. 4(2); S.I. 2015/994, art. 9(a) (with Sch. Pt. 3A) (as amended by S.I. 2015/1405, art. 2)

F4Words in s. 151(1) substituted (1.11.2019) by The Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1047), reg. 1, Sch. 1 para. 14(3) (with reg. 5)

F5Words in s. 151(2)(a) omitted (1.11.2019) by virtue of The Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1047), reg. 1, Sch. 1 para. 14(4)(a)(i) (with reg. 5)

F6Words in s. 151(2)(a) omitted (30.6.2015) by virtue of Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), s. 115(7), Sch. 3 para. 4(3); S.I. 2015/994, art. 9(a) (with Sch. Pt. 3A) (as amended by S.I. 2015/1405, art. 2)

F7Words in s. 151(2)(a) omitted (1.11.2019) by virtue of The Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1047), reg. 1, Sch. 1 para. 14(4)(a)(ii) (with reg. 5)

F8Words in s. 151(2)(b) omitted (1.11.2019) by virtue of The Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1047), reg. 1, Sch. 1 para. 14(4)(b)(i) (with reg. 5)

F9Words in s. 151(2)(b) omitted (1.11.2019) by virtue of The Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1047), reg. 1, Sch. 1 para. 14(4)(b)(ii) (with reg. 5)

F10Words in s. 151(3) omitted (1.11.2019) by virtue of The Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1047), reg. 1, Sch. 1 para. 14(5)(a) (with reg. 5)

F11Words in s. 151(3) omitted (1.11.2019) by virtue of The Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1047), reg. 1, Sch. 1 para. 14(5)(b) (with reg. 5)