Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

65 Powers and duties of [F1 traffic] authorities as to placing of traffic signs. E+W+S

[F2 (1) The traffic authority may cause or permit traffic signs to be placed on or near a road, subject to and in conformity with such general directions F3 ... or such other directions as may be given by the [F4 relevant authority] .]

[F5 (1A) The power to give general directions under subsection (1) above includes power to require equipment used in connection with traffic signs to be of a type approved in accordance with the directions.]

[F6 (2) The [F4 relevant authority] may give directions to [F7 a strategic highways company or] a local traffic authority—]

(a) for the placing of a traffic sign of any prescribed type or authorised character specified in the directions, or

(b) for replacing a sign so specified by, or converting it into, a sign of another prescribed type or authorised character so specified.

(3) The power [F8 of the Secretary of State] [F9 or the Welsh Ministers] to give general directions under subsection (1) above shall be exercisable by statutory instrument.

[F10 (3ZA) The power of the Scottish Ministers to give general directions under subsection (1) is to be exercisable by Scottish statutory instrument.

(3ZB) Before giving a general direction under subsection (1) the Secretary of State must consult with [F11 the Welsh Ministers and] the Scottish Ministers.

(3ZC) Before [F12 the Welsh Ministers or the Scottish Ministers give a general direction under subsection (1) they] must consult with the Secretary of State.]

[F13 (3A) No charge may be made—

(a) in England and Wales, by a highway authority which is the council of a county, metropolitan district or London borough or the Common Council of the City of London, or

(b) in Scotland, by a local roads authority,

with respect to the exercise of their power under subsection (1) above to permit a traffic sign to be placed on or near any road in their area if—

(i) the sign conveys information of a temporary nature or is otherwise intended to be placed only temporarily; and

(ii) the sign is to be placed by a body which is prescribed [F14 in regulations made by the [F4 relevant authority]] for the purposes of this subsection as being a body appearing to the [F4 relevant authority] to be representative of the interests of road users or any class of road users.]

(4) In this section—

• “authorised character” means a character authorised by the [F4 relevant authority] ; and

• “prescribed type” means a type prescribed by regulations made under section 64(1)(a) of this Act.

[F15 (5) In this section “"relevant authority”” means—

(a) in relation to a function so far as exercisable within devolved competence, within the meaning of the Scotland Act 1998, means the Scottish Ministers;

(b) in relation to a function so far as exercisable within devolved competence, within the meaning given by section 58A(7) and (8) of the Government of Wales Act 2006, means the Welsh Ministers;

(c) otherwise, means the Secretary of State.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Word in s. 65 heading substituted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 82(3); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)

F2 S. 65(1) substituted (1.11.1991) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 59, 108), s. 168(1), Sch. 8 para. 48(2); S.I. 1991/2286, art. 2(2), Sch. 2; S.I. 1991/2288, art. 3, Sch.

F3 Words in s. 65(1) omitted (23.5.2016) by virtue of Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11), ss. 41(5), 72(7) (with Sch. 2 paras. 34(2), 35(2))

F4 Words in s. 65 substituted (1.4.2018) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), s. 71(4), Sch. 6 para. 37(2) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6, 9); S.I. 2017/1179, reg. 3(r)

F5 S. 65(1A) inserted (1.7.1992) by Road Traffic Act 1991 (c. 40, SIF 107:1), s. 48, Sch. 4 para. 29; S.I. 1992/1286, art. 2, Sch.

F6 Words in s. 65(2) substituted (1.11.1991) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 59, 108), s. 168(1), Sch. 8 para. 48(3); S.I. 1991/2286, art. 2(2), Sch. 2; S.I. 1991/2288, art. 3, Sch.

F7 Words in s. 65(2) inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 82(2); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)

F8 Words in s. 65(3) inserted (23.5.2016) by Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11), ss. 41(7), 72(7) (with Sch. 2 paras. 34(2), 35(2))

F9 Words in s. 65(3) inserted (1.4.2018) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), s. 71(4), Sch. 6 para. 37(3) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6, 9); S.I. 2017/1179, reg. 3(r)

F10 S. 65(3ZA)-(3ZC) inserted (23.5.2016) by Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11), ss. 41(8), 72(7) (with Sch. 2 paras. 34(2), 35(2))

F11 Words in s. 65(3ZB) inserted (1.4.2018) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), s. 71(4), Sch. 6 para. 37(4) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6, 9); S.I. 2017/1179, reg. 3(r)

F12 Words in s. 65(3ZC) substituted (1.4.2018) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), s. 71(4), Sch. 6 para. 37(5) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6, 9); S.I. 2017/1179, reg. 3(r)

F13 S. 65(3A) inserted by Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42, SIF 81:1, 2), s. 153(1)(2)

F14 Words in s. 65(3A)(ii) inserted (23.5.2016) by Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11), ss. 41(9), 72(7) (with Sch. 2 paras. 34(2), 35(2))

F15 S. 65(5) inserted (1.4.2018) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), s. 71(4), Sch. 6 para. 37(6) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6, 9); S.I. 2017/1179, reg. 3(r)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 65: transfer of certain functions to the Secretary of State by S.I. 1986/315, art. 3(1) and by S.I. 1986/316, art. 3(1)

C2 S. 65 applied (with modifications) (6.3.1992) by Aberdeen Harbour Order Confirmation Act 1992 (c. ii), s. 1, Sch. s. 3(2).

S. 65: transfer of certain functions (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 275(1)(2) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/801, art. 2, Sch.

S. 65 extended (30.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/1306, art. 20(3)

S. 65 extended (21.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/2129, art. 32(3)

S. 65: transfer of certain functions (27.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/3143, art. 2(1)

S. 65 extended (24.7.2001) by S.I. 2001/3627, art. 53(3)

S. 65 extended (14.3.2002) by S.I. 2002/412, art. 27(3) (with art. 38)

S. 65 extended (22.3.2005) by The Midland Metro (Wednesbury to Brierly Hill and Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/927), art. 44(3) (with art. 51)

S. 65 extended (22.7.2005) by The Midland Metro (Birmingham City Centre Extension, etc.) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1794), art. 40(3) (with art. 47)

S. 65 extended (26.8.2005) by The River Tyne (Tunnels) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2222), art. 39(3) (with arts. 45(1), 48, Sch. 10 para. 21, 29)

S. 65 extended (11.1.2006) by The Cambridgeshire Guided Busway Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3523), art. 41(3) (with art. 52)

S. 65 extended (S.) (27.4.2006) by Edinburgh Tram (Line Two) Act 2006 (asp 6), s. 58(3) (with s. 75)

S. 65 extended (S.) (8.5.2006) by Edinburgh Tram (Line One) Act 2006 (asp 7), s. 58(3) (with ss. 76, 84)

S. 65 extended (13.12.2006) by The Luton Dunstable Translink Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/3118), art. 31(3)

C3 S. 65 extended (9.6.2009) by The Nottingham Express Transit System Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1300), art. 49(3) (with art. 84, Sch. 16)

C4 S. 65: transfer of functions (E.W.) (1.4.2011) by The Greater Manchester Combined Authority Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/908), arts. 1, 8(1)(a)

C5 S. 65 extended (22.8.2013) by The Leeds Railway Station (Southern Entrance) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1933), arts. 1, 38(3)

C6 S. 65 extended (6.11.2013) by The Transport for Greater Manchester (Light Rapid Transit System) (Second City Crossing) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/2587), arts. 1, 40(3) (with arts. 42, 43)

C7 S. 65 modified (2.8.2016) by The Midland Metro (Wolverhampton City Centre Extension) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/684), arts. 1, 42(3) (with arts. 46, 47, Sch. 9 para. 4, Sch. 10 para. 12(2))

C8 S. 65 modified (24.11.2016) by The Transport for Greater Manchester (Light Rapid Transit System) (Trafford Park Extension) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/1035), arts. 1, 41(3) (with arts. 43, 44)

C9 S. 65 extended (19.12.2017) by The Network Rail (Buxton Sidings Extension) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/1150), arts. 1, 35(3) (with art. 32(2))

C10 S. 65 excluded (4.1.2018) by The Blackpool Tramway (Blackpool North Extension) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/1214), arts. 1, 40(3) (with arts. 58, 59)

C11 S. 65 modified (4.3.2020) by The Midland Metro (Birmingham Eastside Extension) Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/141), arts. 1, 43(3) (with arts. 47, 48, Sch. 10 para. 19)

C12 S. 65: functions made exercisable concurrently (E.W.) (30.1.2021) by The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (Election of Mayor and Functions) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/112), arts. 1(2), 21(1)(b)(2)-(5)

C13 S. 65 modified (18.7.2023) by The Longfield Solar Farm Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/734), arts. 1, 14(1)

C14 S. 65: functions made exercisable concurrently (E.W.) (20.12.2023) by The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/1432), arts. 1(2), 18(1)(2) (with art. 18(5))

C15 S. 65(1) extended (18.6.1992) by British Railways (No. 2) Act 1992 (c. xi), s. 14(3)(b)

S. 65(1) extended (29.3.1993) by 1993 c. iv, s. 3(3).

S. 65(1) modified (27.7.1993) by 1993 c. xv, s. 4(5).

S. 65(1) applied (24.3.1994) by 1994 c. ii, s. 1, Sch. Pt. II s. 5(3)(c)

S. 65(1) applied (21.7.1994) by 1994 c. xv, s. 4(5)

S. 65(1): power to contract out functions of the Secretary of State conferred (S.) (16.3.1996) by S.I. 1996/878, art. 2, Sch. para. 4

S. 65(1): transfer of certain functions (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1750, art. 2, Sch. 1; S.I. 1998/3178, art. 3

S. 65(1) amended (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1750, art. 4, Sch. 3; S.I. 1998/3178, art. 3

C16 S. 65(1) applied (S.) (10.1.2022) by Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 (asp 17), ss. 53(4), 130(2) (with s. 126); S.S.I. 2021/428, reg. 2, sch.

C17 S. 65(2)(3A)(b)(ii): transfer of functions (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1750, art. 2 Sch. 3; S.I. 1998/3178, art. 3