Search Legislation

Advanced Search

Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981

Changes to legislation:

Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 28 November 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

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 affected provisions when you open the content using the Table of Contents below.

View outstanding changes

Changes and effects yet to be applied to :

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

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

  1. Introductory Text

  2. PART I INTRODUCTORY

    1. 1.Title and commencement

    2. 2.Interpretation

  3. PART II GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO LICENSING OF DRIVERS OF VEHICLES

    1. Requirement to hold licence

      1. 3.Drivers of motor vehicles to have driving licences

      2. 4.Exceptions

    2. Tests

      1. 5.Tests of competence to drive

      2. 6.The alternative requirements to those in Article 5

      3. 7.Review of conduct of test

      4. 8.Repayment of test fees

      5. 8A.Approved test assistants

    3. Physical fitness

      1. 9.Requirements as to physical fitness of drivers

      2. 10.Revocation of licence because of disability or prospective disability

      3. 11.Provision of information, etc., relating to disabilities

      4. 11A.Driving after refusal or revocation of licence

      5. 12.Notification of refusal of insurance on grounds of health

    4. Granting of licences, their form and duration

      1. 13.Grant of licences

      2. 13A.Residence requirement

      3. 14.Form of licence

      4. 15.Duration of licences

    5. Community Licence Holders

      1. 15A.Authorisation to drive in Northern Ireland

      2. 15B.Information about resident Community licence holders

      3. 15C.Revocation of authorisation conferred by Community licence because of disability or prospective disability

      4. 15D.Information relating to disabilities etc.

      5. 15E.Return of Community licences delivered to Department

    6. Appeals

      1. 16.Appeals relating to licences

    7. Disqualification (otherwise than on conviction)

      1. 17.Disqualification of persons under age

      2. 18.Disqualification to prevent duplication of licences

    8. Disqualification if disqualified in Great Britain, etc.

      1. 18A.Disqualification while disqualified in Great Britain, Isle of Man, Channel Islands or Gibraltar

    9. Restrictions affecting certain vehicles and drivers

      1. 19.Speed limit on vehicles required to display or displaying distinguishing mark required on vehicles driven by holders of provisional licences

      2. 19A.Restrictions on newly qualified drivers

      3. 19B.Speed limit on certain vehicles displaying distinguishing mark referred to in Article 19A(3)(a)

    10. Miscellaneous

      1. 19C.Regulations

      2. 19D.Interpretation

      3. 19E.Provisions as to Great Britain drivers' licences

      4. 19F.Counterparts issued to Great Britain licence holders

      5. 19G.Revocation of authorisation conferred by Great Britain licence because of disability or prospective disability

      6. 19H.Information relating to disabilities, etc.

      7. 19I.Access to driver licensing information

  4. PART III

    1. Articles 20-26 rep. by 1997 NI 2

    2. Article 26A rep. by 1995 NI 18

    3. Article 27 rep. by 1997 NI 2

  5. PART IV GENERAL PROVISIONS AS TO REGULATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

    1. Articles 28-31 rep. by 1995 NI 18

    2. 31A.Approval of design, construction, etc., of motor vehicles

    3. 31B.Supplementary provisions relating to type approval and other certificates

    4. 31C.Appeals

    5. 31D.Regulations

    6. 31E.Offences, etc., relating to type approval

    7. 31F.Failure to hold EC certificate of conformity for unregistered light passenger vehicle or motor cycle

    8. 31G.Light passenger vehicles or vehicle to which the motorcycle type approval Directive applies not to be sold without EC certificate of conformity

    9. Articles 32-49 rep. by 1995 NI 18

    10. Articles 50-52 rep. by 1997 NI 2

  6. PART V REGULATION OF GOODS VEHICLES AND PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES, TOGETHER WITH THE DRIVERS OF SUCH VEHICLES, AND CONTROL OF LARGE PRIVATE PASSENGER VEHICLES

    1. Certification and regulation of goods vehicles

      1. Articles 53-55 rep. by 1995 NI 18

      2. 56.Limitation of continuous hours of duty of drivers of goods vehicles

      3. Article 57 rep. by 1995 NI 18

      4. 58.Regulations for purposes of Articles 53 to 57

    2. Licensing and regulation of public service vehicles

      1. 59.Public service vehicle not to ply for hire, etc., unless driver, etc., licensed

      2. 60.Public service vehicle not to ply for hire, etc., unless vehicle licensed

      3. 61.Grant of public service vehicle licences

      4. 62.Public service vehicles not to carry more than the prescribed number of persons.

      5. 63.Limitation of continuous hours of duty of drivers of public service vehicles

      6. 64.Power to stop and examine public service vehicles

      7. 65.Power to make bye-laws regulating public service vehicles within any area

      8. 66.Regulations for purposes of Articles 59 to 65. . .

      9. 66A.Car-sharing arrangements

      10. Articles 67-69 rep. by 1995 NI 18

      11. Articles 70-79 rep. by 1991 NI 3

    3. Special provisions relating to licensing of drivers of large goods vehicles and passenger-carrying vehicles

      1. 70.Licensing of drivers of large goods vehicles and passenger-carrying vehicles

      2. 71.Grant of licences: fitness as regards conduct

      3. 72.Conditions of certain licences

      4. 73.Revocation or suspension of licences

      5. 73A.Community licence holders: cessation of authorisation, etc.

      6. 74.Disqualification on revocation of licence

      7. 74A.Community licences: disqualification etc.

      8. 75.Revoked or suspended licences: surrender, return and endorsement

      9. 76.Appeals to court of summary jurisdiction

      10. 77.Regulations

      11. 78.Interpretation

      12. 79.Provisions as to Great Britain licences

    4. Taxi drivers' licences

      1. 79A.Licensing of drivers of taxis

    5. Repayment of fees

      1. 80.Repayment of fees

  7. PART VI PROVISIONS RELATING TO APPLICABLE COMMUNITY RULES

    1. 81.Offences against applicable Community rules

    2. 82.Powers of inspection

    3. 83.Regulations for purposes of the applicable Community rules or other relevant Community provisions

  8. PART VII FOREIGN VEHICLES

    1. 84.Power in certain cases to prohibit driving of foreign vehicles

    2. 85.Provisions supplementary to Article 84

    3. 86.Enforcement provisions

    4. 87.Production of certain documents

    5. 88.Application of Articles 86 and 87 of the Order of 1995 to foreign vehicles on harbour land

    6. 89.Interpretation and transitional provisions

  9. PART VIII INSURANCE AGAINST THIRD-PARTY LIABILITIES

    1. 90.Users of motor vehicles to be insured or secured against third-party risks

    2. 91.Defence to charge under Article 90

    3. 91A.Offence of keeping vehicle which does not meet insurance requirements

    4. 91B.Exceptions to Article 91A offence

    5. 91C.Fixed penalty notices

    6. 91D.Article 91A offence: supplementary

    7. 92.Requirements in respect of policies

    8. 93.Requirements in respect of securities

    9. 94.Certain conditions in policies or securities to be of no effect

    10. 95.Duty to surrender certificate on cancellation of policy or security

    11. 96.Duty of persons against whom claims are made to give information as to insurance

    12. 97.Requirements as to production of certificate of insurance or of security

    13. 97A.Regulations prohibiting the grant of excise licences unless evidence of insurance or security

    14. 98.Duty of insurers or persons giving security to satisfy judgment against persons insured or secured against third-party risks

    15. 98A.Exceptions to Article 98

    16. Art. 99 rep. by 2001 c. 3 (NI)

    17. 100.Bankruptcy, etc., of insured persons not to affect certain claims by third-parties

    18. 101.Meaning of authorised insurer for purposes of this Part

    19. 102.Deposits under this Part

    20. 102A.Disclosure of information

    21. 102B.Assimilated law relating to compulsory insurance

    22. 103.Regulations for purposes of this Part

  10. Parts IX - XI

  11. PART XII PROVISIONS AS TO ROAD SAFETY

    1. Articles 129, 129A-129D, 130, 131 rep. by 1995 NI 18...

    2. Driving instructors

      1. 132.Approved driving instructors

      2. 133.Driving instruction for payment to be given only by registered or licenced persons

      3. 134.Exemption of police instructors

      4. 135.Licences to give instruction restricted by Article 133

      5. 136.Surrender of certificates and licences

      6. 137.Production of certificates and licences to constables and authorised persons

      7. 137A.Meaning of motor car

      8. Article 138 rep. by 1996 NI 10

  12. PART XIII GENERAL PROVISIONS AS TO OFFENCES, ENFORCEMENT, EVIDENCE AND PROCEEDINGS

    1. Articles 139-140 rep. by 1996 NI 10 Article 141 rep....

      1. Articles 139-140 rep. by 1996 NI 10

      2. Article 141 rep. by 1991 NI 3

      3. Articles 142-149 rep. by 1995 NI 18

      4. Articles 150-152 rep. by 1996 NI 10

      5. Articles 152A, 153 rep. by 1995 NI 18

    2. Other offences involving want of due care and attention

      1. 154.Driving with uncorrected defective eyesight

      2. Articles 155-157 rep. by 1997 NI 2

      3. Articles 158-162 rep. by 1995 NI 18

      4. Article 163 rep. by 1983 NI 8

      5. Articles 164, 165 rep. by 1995 NI 18

    3. Other offences

      1. 166.Applying for or obtaining driving licence or provisional licence while disqualified

      2. 167.Driving a motor vehicle, or causing or permitting a person to drive a motor vehicle, while disqualified

      3. 168.Articles 54 and 57 of the Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 not to apply to Articles 166 and 167

      4. 168A.Applying for or obtaining a driving licence, or driving, while disqualified

      5. Article 169 rep. by 1996 NI 10

      6. Article 170 rep. by 1995 NI 18

      7. 171.Vehicle causing obstruction

      8. 172.Taking vehicle without owner's consent or other authority

      9. 172A.Aggravated vehicle-taking

      10. 172B.Aggravated vehicle-taking causing death or grievous bodily injury

      11. Article 173 rep. by 1995 NI 18

      12. 174.False statements in connection with forgery of, and fraudulent use of, documents; issue of false insurance certificate and powers of seizure

      13. Article 174A rep. by 1997 NI 2

      14. Article 174B rep. by 1996 NI 10

    4. Duties on occurrence of accidents and identification of persons

      1. 175.Duties on occurrence of an accident caused by presence of a mechanically propelled vehicle

      2. 176.Duties on occurrence of other accidents

      3. 177.Identification of drivers or owners of, and passengers in, vehicles

      4. 178.Identification of pedal cyclists

      5. 179.Identification of pedestrians

    5. Enforcement powers and powers of arrest

      1. 180.Enforcement powers of constable

      2. 180A.Powers of vehicle examiners

      3. 180B.Power to seize vehicles driven without insurance

      4. 180C.Retention etc. of vehicles seized under Article 180B

      5. 181.Power to arrest persons resident outside United Kingdom

      6. Articles 182-186 rep. by 1996 NI 10

      7. Article 187 rep. by 1997 NI 2

      8. Articles 188-204 rep. by 1996 NI 10

  13. PART XIV MISCELLANEOUS AND SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS

    1. Articles 205, 206 rep. by 1995 NI 18

    2. 207.Driver of motor vehicle deemed to be servant or agent of owner in civil proceedings

    3. 208.Inquiries and applications

    4. Articles 209-210 rep. by 1997 NI 2

    5. Article 211 rep. by 1995 NI 18

    6. 211A.Prospective exercise of powers

    7. 212.Application of Order to hovercraft and trolley vehicles

    8. 213.Application of Order to invalid carriages

    9. 214.Application of Order to the Crown

    10. 215.Application of Order in relation to harbour commissioners

    11. Article 216 rep. by 1997 NI 2

    12. 217.Savings

    13. 218.General provisions as to regulations

    14. 219.Transitional provisions

  14. PART XV

    1. Article 220(1), with Schedule 7, effects Amendments; para. (2), with...

  15. SCHEDULES

    1. SCHEDULE 1

      STATUTORY PROVISIONS CONFERRING FUNCTIONS ON AUTHORISED OFFICERS

    2. SCHEDULE 2

      STATUTORY PROVISIONS RELATING TO VEHICLES AND THEIR DRIVERS

    3. SCHEDULE 2A

      OFFENCE OF KEEPING VEHICLE WHICH DOES NOT MEET INSURANCE REQUIRMENTS: IMMOBILISATION, REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL OF VEHICLES

      1. Immobilisation

        1. 1.(1) Regulations may make provision with respect to any case where an authorised person has...

      2. Offences connected with immobilisation

        1. 2.(1) The regulations may provide that a person contravening provision made under paragraph 1(8) is...

      3. Removal and disposal of vehicles

        1. 3.(1) The regulations may make provision with respect to any case where– (a) an authorised...

      4. Offences as to securing possession of vehicles

        1. 4.The regulations may provide that where– (a) a person makes a declaration with a view...

      5. Disputes

        1. 5.The regulations may make provision about the proceedings to be followed where a dispute occurs...

      6. Authorised persons

        1. 6.As regards anything falling to be done under the regulations (such as receiving payment of...

      7. Application of Offenders Order

        1. 7.The regulations may make provision for the application of any or all of Articles 5,...

      8. Interpretation

        1. 8.(1) The regulations may make provision as to the meaning for the purposes of the...

        2. 9.(1) The regulations may make provision as to the meaning in the regulations of “authorised...

        3. 10.In this Schedule– (a) references to an immobilisation device are to a device or appliance...

        4. 11.In this Schedule “ regulations ” means regulations made by the Department under Article 103.

    4. Schedule 3 rep. by 1995 NI 18

    5. Schedule 4 rep. by 1996 NI 10

    6. SCHEDULE 5

      PROVISIONS AS TO INQUIRIES AND APPLICATIONS

      1. 1.Every application under this Order shall be made in such manner as may be prescribed...

      2. 2.If on any application the Department determines that a public inquiry shall be held, the...

      3. 3.Subject to paragraph 4, all persons interested may appear at the inquiry either in person...

      4. 4.No person shall be entitled to be heard at the inquiry unless he has within...

      5. 5.Subject as aforesaid inquiries and all incidental proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with Schedule...

    7. SCHEDULE 6

      SAVINGS

      1. Saving for certain provisions about minimum ages for driving

        1. 1.Notwithstanding the repeal by this Order of paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Road...

      2. Saving in relation to certain motor cars for holders of driving licences and similar persons

        1. 2.(1) This paragraph applies to a person who immediately before 1st January 1976 fulfilled any...

      3. Saving in relation to certain goods vehicles for holders of driving licences and similar persons

        1. 3.(1) This paragraph applies to— (a) a goods vehicle which, by virtue of the Road...

      4. Other savings

        1. Para. 4 rep. by 1997 NI 2

        2. Para. 4 rep. by 1997 NI 2

        3. 5.Notwithstanding the repeal by this Order of section 14 of the Motor Vehicles (Traffic and...

        4. 6.Notwithstanding the repeal by this Order of the Road Traffic Act (Northern Ireland) 1970 and...

        5. 7.The Driving Licences (Transfer of Functions) (Supplementary Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 1973 shall continue to...

        6. 8.Article 99 shall have effect, where the accident giving rise to the death or bodily...

    8. Schedule 7—Amendments.

    9. Schedule 8—Repeals

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as made version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources

The data on this page is available in the alternative data formats listed: