Road Traffic Act 1988

Motor racing and motoring events on public ways E+W+S

12 Motor racing on public ways. E+W+S

(1) A person who promotes or takes part in a race or trial of speed between motor vehicles on a public way is guilty of an offence.

(2) In this section “public way” means, in England and Wales, a [F1 highway] and, in Scotland, a public road.

Textual Amendments

F1 Word in s. 12(2) substituted (1.7.1992) by Road Traffic Act 1991 (c. 40, SIF 107:1), s. 48, Sch. 4 para. 45; S.I. 1992/1286, art. 2,Sch.

13 Regulation of motoring events on public ways. E+W+S

(1) A person who promotes or takes part in a competition or trial (other than a race or trial of speed) involving the use of motor vehicles on a public way is guilty of an offence unless the competition or trial—

(a) is authorised, and

(b) is conducted in accordance with any conditions imposed,

by or under regulations under this section.

(2) The Secretary of State may by regulations authorise, or provide for authorising, the holding of competitions or trials (other than races or trials of speed) involving the use of motor vehicles on public ways either—

(a) generally, or

(b) as regards any area, or as regards any class or description of competition or trial or any particular competition or trial,

subject to such conditions, including conditions requiring the payment of fees, as may be imposed by or under the regulations.

(3) Regulations under this section may—

(a) prescribe the procedure to be followed, and the particulars to be given, in connection with applications for authorisation under the regulations, and

(b) make different provision for different classes or descriptions of competition or trial.

(4) In this section “public way” means, in England and Wales, a [F2 highway] and, in Scotland, a public road.

Textual Amendments

F2 Word in s. 13(4) substituted (1.7.1992) by Road Traffic Act 1991 (c. 40, SIF 107:1), s. 48, Sch. 4 para. 46; S.I. 1992/1286, art. 2,Sch.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 13(2): transfer of functions (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/672, arts. 1, 2, Sch. 1

S. 13(2): transfer of certain functions (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1750, arts. 1(1), 2, Sch. 1 (with art. 7); S.I. 1998/3178, art. 3

[F3 13A Disapplication of sections 1 to 3 for authorised motoring events. E+W+S

(1) A person shall not be guilty of an offence under sections 1, 2 or 3 of this Act by virtue of driving a vehicle in a public place other than a road if he shows that he was driving in accordance with an authorisation for a motoring event given under regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(2) Regulations under this section may in particular—

(a) prescribe the persons by whom, and limit the circumstances in which and the places in respect of which, authorisations may be given under the regulations;

(b) specify conditions which must be included among those incorporated in authorisations;

(c) provide for authorisations to cease to have effect in prescribed circumstances;

(d) provide for the procedure to be followed, the particulars to be given, and the amount (or the persons who are to determine the amount) of any fees to be paid, in connection with applications for authorisations;

(e) make different provisions for different cases.]

Textual Amendments

F3 S. 13A inserted (1.7.1992) by Road Traffic Act 1991 (c. 40, SIF 107:1), s.5; S.I. 1992/1286, art. 2,Sch.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 S. 13A: transfer of certain functions (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1750, arts. 1(1), 2, Sch. 1 (with art. 7); S.I. 1999/3178, art. 3

S. 13A: transfer of functions (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/672, arts. 1, 2, Sch. 1