Transport (Scotland) Act 2001

Part 3 S Road user charging

Road user charging schemes S

49 Charging schemes S

(1) A charging scheme may be made by a local traffic authority or by two or more such authorities acting jointly.

(2) A charging scheme may be made only in respect of roads for which the charging authority, or either (or any) of the charging authorities, are the local traffic authority.

(3) A charging scheme may be made only if—

(a) the charging authority, or each of the charging authorities, proposing to make the scheme have a local transport strategy; and

(b) the scheme appears desirable to the authority, or each of them, for the purpose of directly or indirectly facilitating the achievement of policies in their strategy.

(4) Charges imposed in respect of any motor vehicle by a charging scheme shall be paid—

(a) by the registered keeper of the motor vehicle; or

(b) in such circumstances as the Scottish Ministers may by regulations specify, by such other person as may be so specified.

(5) In this Part of this Act—

• “charging authority”, in relation to a charging scheme made or proposed to be made by one authority, means the authority by which the charging scheme is or is proposed to be made;

• “charging authorities”, in relation to a charging scheme made or proposed to be made jointly by more than one authority, means the authorities by which the charging scheme is or is proposed to be made; and

• “charging scheme” means a scheme for imposing charges in respect of the use or keeping of motor vehicles on roads.

50 Charging schemes to be made, varied and revoked by order S

(1) A charging scheme shall be contained in an order made by the charging authority or the charging authorities (acting jointly).

(2) Any charging scheme may be varied or revoked by order made by the charging authority or authorities (acting jointly) who made the scheme.

(3) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make provision as respects orders made under this section, including (in particular)—

(a) provision specifying the form of orders;

(b) provision about consultation on proposals for orders (including the publication of such proposals and the making and consideration of objections to proposals); and

(c) provision about the publication of notice of orders and of their effect.

51 Confirmation of orders S

(1) A charging scheme shall not come into force unless the order making it has been submitted to and confirmed by the Scottish Ministers; and a variation or revocation of such a charging scheme shall not take effect until the order making the variation or revocation has been so submitted and confirmed.

(2) Subsection (1) above shall not apply in such circumstances as may be specified in, or determined in accordance with, regulations made by the Scottish Ministers.

(3) Where confirmation of an order is required by this section, the order may be confirmed by the Scottish Ministers—

(a) in the form in which it is submitted; or

(b) subject to such modifications as they may specify.

52 Charging schemes: consultation and inquiries S

(1) Before an order making, varying or revoking a charging scheme is made, the charging authority or charging authorities (acting jointly)—

(a) shall consult such persons as may be specified in regulations made under section 50(3) of this Act; and

(b) may consult such other persons as they think fit,

about the scheme or, as the case may be, the variation or revocation.

(2) Where an order making, varying or revoking a charging scheme is submitted to the Scottish Ministers under section 51 of this Act they may at any time before the order is confirmed—

(a) consult; or

(b) require the charging authority or authorities to consult,

other persons about the charging scheme or, as the case may be, the variation or revocation.

(3) The Scottish Ministers—

(a) may cause an inquiry to be held in relation to a charging scheme, or the variation or revocation of such a scheme; and

(b) may appoint the person or persons by whom such an inquiry is to be held.

(4) The charging authority or charging authorities (acting jointly)—

(a) may cause an inquiry to be held in relation to a charging scheme proposed to be made by them, or the proposed variation or proposed revocation of a charging scheme made by them; and

(b) may appoint the person or persons by whom such an inquiry is to be held.

(5) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (3) above, the Scottish Ministers may by regulations specify circumstances in which a charging authority or charging authorities (acting jointly) shall cause an inquiry to be held in relation to a charging scheme proposed to be made by them, or the proposed variation or proposed revocation of a charging scheme made by them.

(6) Subsections (3) to (8) of section 210 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (c.65) (witnesses and costs at inquiries) shall apply in relation to any inquiry held by virtue of this section.

53 Matters to be dealt with in charging schemes S

(1) A charging scheme shall—

(a) designate the roads in respect of which charges are imposed;

(b) specify or describe the events by reference to the happening of which a charge is imposed in respect of a motor vehicle being used or kept on a road;

(c) specify the classes of motor vehicles in respect of which charges are imposed;

(d) specify the classes of motor vehicles which are exempt from charges or in respect of which reduced rates of charges are imposed;

(e) specify the charges imposed;

(f) specify the period during which it is to remain in force; and

(g) make provision for or in connection with the collection, payment and recording of charges.

(2) Subject to section 49(2), and to any modifications made by virtue of section 51(3)(b), of this Act, the designation of the roads in respect of which charges are imposed by a charging scheme shall be such as the charging authority or authorities may determine.

(3) No charge may be imposed by a charging scheme in respect of the keeping of a motor vehicle on a road unless such charge also has effect in respect of the use of the motor vehicle on that road.

(4) The charges that may be imposed by a charging scheme include different charges (which may be no charge) for different cases, including (in particular)—

(a) different days;

(b) different times of day;

(c) different roads;

(d) different distances travelled;

(e) different purposes for which motor vehicles are being used;

(f) different numbers of occupants; and

(g) different classes of motor vehicles.

(5) A charging scheme may specify that the charges specified in the scheme shall be increased, on such dates as may be so specified, by reference to such percentage increases in the retail prices index as may be so specified.

(6) In setting the charges imposed by a charging scheme, the charging authority or authorities (acting jointly) shall have regard to the purposes for which the authority or authorities are, in accordance with schedule 1 to this Act, to apply the net proceeds of the charging scheme.

(7) A charging scheme may contain provision requiring—

(a) such documents as may be specified in the scheme to be displayed on a motor vehicle while it is on a road in respect of which charges are imposed; or

(b) such equipment as may be so specified to be carried in or fitted to a motor vehicle while it is on such a road.

(8) In this section “the retail prices index” means—

(a) the general index of retail prices (for all items) published by the Office for National Statistics; or

(b) where that index is not published for a month, any substituted index or figures published by that Office.

54 Charging schemes: exemptions etc. S

(1) The Scottish Ministers may make regulations requiring charging schemes to contain provision for or in connection with—

(a) exemptions from charges; or

(b) the application of reduced rates of charges.

(2) A road shall not be subject to charges imposed by more than one charging scheme at the same time.

55 Penalties and liability for charges S

(1) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make provision for or in connection with the imposition, notification, payment, adjudication and enforcement of charges (in this section such charges being referred to as “charging scheme penalty charges”) in respect of acts, omissions, events or circumstances relating to or connected with charging schemes.

(2) Regulations under this section may include provision for or in connection with setting the rates of charging scheme penalty charges (which may include provision for surcharges or discounts).

(3) Charging scheme penalty charges in respect of any motor vehicle shall be paid—

(a) by the registered keeper of the motor vehicle; or

(b) in such circumstances as may be specified in regulations under this section, by such other person as may be so specified.

(4) A person commits an offence if with intent to avoid payment of, or with intent to avoid being identified as having failed to pay, a charge imposed by a charging scheme the person—

(a) interferes with any equipment used for or in connection with charging under the charging scheme; or

(b) causes or permits the registration plate of a motor vehicle to be obscured.

(5) A person commits an offence if with intent to avoid payment of, or with intent to avoid being identified as having failed to pay, charges imposed by a charging scheme or charging scheme penalty charges the person makes or uses any false document.

(6) A person commits an offence if the person removes a notice of a charging scheme penalty charge which has been fixed to a motor vehicle in accordance with regulations under this section unless—

(a) the person is the registered keeper of the vehicle or a person using the vehicle with the registered keeper’s authority; or

(b) the person does so under the authority of the registered keeper or such a person or of the charging authority or any of the charging authorities.

(7) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (4) or (5) above shall be liable on summary conviction to—

(a) a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale; or

(b) imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months,

or to both.

(8) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (6) above shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.

56 Examination, immobilisation and removal of vehicles etc. S

(1) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make provision enabling or requiring charging schemes to confer powers on persons specified in, or determined in accordance with, the regulations for or in connection with examining a motor vehicle for the purpose of ascertaining—

(a) whether any document required by a charging scheme to be displayed on a motor vehicle while it is on a road in respect of which charges are imposed is so displayed;

(b) whether any equipment required by a charging scheme to be carried in or fitted to the motor vehicle while it is on such a road is carried or fitted, is in proper working order or has been interfered with with intent to avoid payment of, or being identified as having failed to pay, a charge; or

(c) whether any conditions relating to the use of any such equipment are satisfied.

(2) Regulations under subsection (1) above may include provision for or in connection with—

(a) conferring on a person duly authorised in writing by the charging authority, or any of the charging authorities, power to enter a motor vehicle for the purpose of exercising any of the powers conferred on that person by virtue of that subsection;

(b) conferring on a person on whom power to enter a motor vehicle has been conferred by virtue of paragraph (a) above power to seize anything (if necessary by detaching it from a motor vehicle) and detain it as evidence of the commission of an offence under section 55(4) or (5) of this Act.

(3) Any person who intentionally obstructs a person acting in the exercise of any power conferred by virtue of subsection (2) above shall be guilty of an offence and liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum; or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

(4) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make provision enabling or requiring charging schemes to make provision for or in connection with—

(a) the fitting of immobilisation devices to motor vehicles;

(b) the fixing of notices to motor vehicles to which an immobilisation device has been fitted;

(c) the removal and storage of motor vehicles;

(d) the release of motor vehicles from immobilisation devices or from storage;

(e) the satisfaction of conditions before the release of a motor vehicle; and

(f) the sale or destruction of motor vehicles not released.

(5) Any person who removes or interferes with a notice fixed to a motor vehicle in accordance with provision included in a charging scheme by virtue of subsection (4) above in contravention of such provision shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.

(6) Any person who removes or attempts to remove an immobilisation device fitted to a motor vehicle in accordance with provision included in a charging scheme by virtue of subsection (4) above in contravention of such provision shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(7) Any person who intentionally obstructs a person exercising any power conferred by provision included in a charging scheme by virtue of subsection (4) above shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(8) A charging scheme may authorise or require—

(a) the examination of a motor vehicle;

(b) the fitting of an immobilisation device to a motor vehicle; or

(c) the removal of a motor vehicle,

only if the vehicle is on a road.

(9) In this section “immobilisation device” has the same meaning as in section 104 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (c.27).

57 Equipment etc. S

(1) The charging authority, or any of the charging authorities, may—

(a) install and maintain, or authorise the installation and maintenance of, any equipment; or

(b) construct and maintain, or authorise the construction and maintenance of, any buildings or other structures,

used or to be used for or in connection with the operation of a charging scheme.

(2) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations approve standards for equipment installed, or authorised to be installed, by charging authorities for or in connection with the operation of charging schemes.

(3) No equipment may be installed for or in connection with the operation of a charging scheme if it is incompatible with a standard approved under subsection (2) above.

58 Traffic signs S

(1) The Scottish Ministers may direct the charging authority, or any of the charging authorities, in relation to a charging scheme to place and maintain traffic signs, or cause traffic signs to be placed and maintained, in connection with the scheme.

(2) A charging authority which is or could be given a direction under this section may enter any land, and exercise any other powers which may be necessary, for placing and maintaining traffic signs, or causing traffic signs to be placed and maintained, in connection with any charging scheme in respect of which a direction is or could be given.

(3) A direction under this section shall be given in writing and may be varied or revoked by the Scottish Ministers.

(4) In this section “traffic signs” has the same meaning as in section 64 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (c.27).

59 Non-domestic rating exemption S

After section 8AA of the Valuation and Rating (Scotland) Act 1956 (c.60) there shall be inserted—

“8B Property used for road user charging scheme to be excluded from valuation roll

(1) There shall not be entered in the valuation roll any lands and heritages—

(a) that consist of a road in respect of which charges are imposed by a charging scheme made under Part 3 of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 (asp 2); or

(b) subject to subsection (2) below, that are used solely for or in connection with the operation of such a scheme.

(2) Lands and heritages such as are mentioned in subsection (1)(b) above do not include office buildings.”.

Supplementary S

60 Financial provisions about charging schemes S

Schedule 1 to this Act (which contains financial provisions about charging schemes) shall have effect.

61 Powers of charging authorities S

The charging authority, or any of the charging authorities, in relation to a charging scheme (or any proposal for a charging scheme) may—

(a) incur expenditure in or in connection with the making, establishment or operation of the charging scheme; or

(b) enter into arrangements (including arrangements for forming or participating in companies) with any person in respect of the making, establishment or operation of the charging scheme or relating to the installation or operation of any equipment used for or in connection with the operation of the charging scheme.

62 Grants to charging authorities S

(1) The Scottish Ministers may make grants to charging authorities who are proposing to make charging schemes towards their costs in determining whether to make such proposed schemes.

(2) Grants under this section shall be of such amount and subject to such conditions (including conditions requiring their repayment in specified circumstances) as the Scottish Ministers may determine.

(3) A determination under subsection (2) above may be made either generally or in relation to particular cases or classes of case.

63 Information S

(1) Information obtained by—

(a) any Minister of the Crown or government department;

(b) the Scottish Administration; or

(c) any local authority or other statutory body,

may be disclosed to the charging authority, or any of the charging authorities, in relation to a charging scheme for or in connection with the exercise of any of their functions with respect to the charging scheme.

(2) Information obtained by the charging authority, or any of the charging authorities, in relation to a charging scheme for or in connection with any of their functions other than their functions with respect to the charging scheme may be used by them for or in connection with the exercise of any of their functions with respect to the charging scheme.

(3) Any information which has been or could be—

(a) disclosed to an authority under subsection (1) above for or in connection with the exercise of any of their functions with respect to the charging scheme; or

(b) used by an authority by virtue of subsection (2) above for or in connection with the exercise of any of those functions,

may be disclosed to any person with whom the authority has entered into arrangements under section 61(b) of this Act.

(4) Information disclosed to a person under subsection (3) above—

(a) may be disclosed to any other person for or in connection with the charging scheme; but

(b) may not be used (by the person or any other person to whom it is disclosed under paragraph (a) above) otherwise than for or in connection with the charging scheme.

64 Determination of disputes, appeals and evidence S

(1) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make provision for or in connection with—

(a) the determination of disputes relating to charging schemes; and

(b) appeals against such determinations or any failure to make any such determination.

(2) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make provision for or in connection with permitting evidence of a fact relevant to proceedings for an offence under this Part of this Act, or proceedings in respect of a failure to comply with the provisions of a charging scheme, to be given by the production of—

(a) a record produced by a device specified in, or determined in accordance with, the regulations; and

(b) a certificate (whether in the same or another document) as to the circumstances in which the record was produced signed by a person so specified or determined.

65 Offences by bodies corporate and partnerships S

(1) Where an offence under this Part of this Act committed by a body corporate is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of, a relevant person, the relevant person as well as the body corporate is guilty of the offence and liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

(2) Where the affairs of a body corporate are managed by its members, subsection (1) above applies in relation to the acts and defaults of a member in connection with his functions of management as if the member were a relevant person.

(3) Where an offence under this Part of this Act committed by a Scottish partnership is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of, a partner, the partner as well as the partnership is guilty of the offence and liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

(4) In subsection (1) above “relevant person”, in relation to a body corporate, means a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body, or a person purporting to act in any such capacity.

66 Crown application S

(1) Sections 49 to 59 of this Act shall apply in relation to Crown roads (as defined in section 131(7)(b) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (c.27)) as those sections apply in relation to other roads.

(2) The provisions of this Part of this Act and of regulations and orders made under it shall bind the Crown.

(3) No contravention by the Crown of any provision of this Act or of any regulations or orders made under it shall make the Crown criminally liable; but the Court of Session may, on the application of a charging authority, declare unlawful any act or omission of the Crown which constitutes such a contravention.

(4) Notwithstanding anything in subsection (2) above, the provisions of this Act and of regulations and orders made under it shall, subject to subsection (5) below, apply to motor vehicles, or persons, in the public service of the Crown as they apply to other motor vehicles or persons.

(5) No power of entry or seizure conferred by regulations made under section 56(2) of this Act shall be exercisable in relation to any motor vehicle in the public service of the Crown.

(6) Nothing in this section affects Her Majesty in Her private capacity.

Interpretation of Part S

67 Interpretation of Part 3 S

(1) In this Part of this Act—

• “charging authority” and “charging authorities” have the meanings given by section 49(5) of this Act; and

• “operation” includes enforcement (related expressions being construed accordingly).

(2) Any reference in this Part of this Act to a class of motor vehicles is a reference to a class defined or described, by reference to any characteristics of the motor vehicles or to any other circumstances whatsoever, in regulations made by the Scottish Ministers.