There are multiple versions of this provision on screen. These apply to different geographical extents.
Road Traffic Act 1988, Section 103 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 08 March 2025. 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.
(1)A person is guilty of an offence if, while disqualified for holding or obtaining a licence, he—
(a)obtains a licence, or
(b)drives a motor vehicle on a road.
(2)A licence obtained by a person who is disqualified is of no effect (or, where the disqualification relates only to vehicles of a particular class, is of no effect in relation to vehicles of that class).
F3(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4)[F4Subsection (1) above does] not apply in relation to disqualification by virtue of section 101 of this Act.
(5)[F5Subsection (1)(b) above does] not apply in relation to disqualification by virtue of section 102 of this Act.
(6)In the application of [F6subsection (1)] above to a person whose disqualification is limited to the driving of motor vehicles of a particular class by virtue of—
(a)section 102 [F7117 or 117A] of this Act, or
(b)subsection (9) of section 36 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (disqualification until test is passed),
the references to disqualification for holding or obtaining a licence and driving motor vehicles are references to disqualification for holding or obtaining a licence to drive and driving motor vehicles of that class.]
Extent Information
E1This version of this provision extents to England and Wales only; a separate version has been created for Scotland
Textual Amendments
F2S. 103 substituted (1.7.1992) by Road Traffic Act 1991 (c. 40, SIF 107:1), s. 19; S.I. 1992/1286, art. 2, Sch.
F3S. 103(3) repealed (1.10.2002) by 2002 c. 30, s. 107, Sch. 7 para. 11(1)(2), Sch. 8; S.I. 2002/2306, art. 2(g)(i)-(iii)(a)
F4Words in s. 103(4) substituted (1.10.2002) by 2002 c. 30, s. 107, Sch. 7 para. 11(1)(3); S.I. 2002/2306, art. 2(g)(i)(ii)
F5Words in s. 103(5) substituted (1.10.2002) by 2002 c. 30, s. 107, Sch. 7 para. 11(1)(4), S.I. 2002/2306, art. 2(g)(i)(ii)
F6Words in s. 103(6) substituted (1.10.2002) by 2002 c. 30, s. 107, Sch. 7 para. 11(1)(5), S.I. 2002/2306, art. 2(g)(i)(ii)
F7Words in s. 103(6)(a) substituted (23.7.1996 for specified purposes and otherwise 1.1.1997) by S.I. 1996/1974, reg. 2, Sch. 1 para. 16
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C4S. 103 modified (16.8.2006) by The Dover Harbour Revision Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2167), {art. 27(2)-(4)(6)}
C5S. 103(1)(b) excluded (17.4.2019) by The Motor Sport on Public Roads (Scotland) Regulations 2019 (S.S.I. 2019/138), regs. 1, 6, sch. 2
(1)A person is guilty of an offence if, while disqualified for holding or obtaining a licence, he—
(a)obtains a licence, or
(b)drives a motor vehicle on a road.
(2)A licence obtained by a person who is disqualified is of no effect (or, where the disqualification relates only to vehicles of a particular class, is of no effect in relation to vehicles of that class).
(3)A constable in uniform may arrest without warrant any person driving a motor vehicle on a road whom he has reasonable cause to suspect of being disqualified.
(4)Subsections (1) and (3) above do not apply in relation to disqualification by virtue of section 101 of this Act.
(5)Subsections (1)(b) and (3) above do not apply in relation to disqualification by virtue of section 102 of this Act.
(6)In the application of subsections (1) and (3) above to a person whose disqualification is limited to the driving of motor vehicles of a particular class by virtue of—
(a)section 102 [F8117 or 117A] of this Act, or
(b)subsection (9) of section 36 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (disqualification until test is passed),
the references to disqualification for holding or obtaining a licence and driving motor vehicles are references to disqualification for holding or obtaining a licence to drive and driving motor vehicles of that class.]
Extent Information
E2This version of this provision extends to Scotland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales only
Textual Amendments
F2S. 103 substituted (1.7.1992) by Road Traffic Act 1991 (c. 40, SIF 107:1), s. 19; S.I. 1992/1286, art. 2, Sch.
F8Words in s. 103(6)(a) substituted (23.7.1996 for specified purposes and otherwise 1.1.1997) by S.I. 1996/1974, reg. 2, Sch. 1 para. 16
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C5S. 103(1)(b) excluded (17.4.2019) by The Motor Sport on Public Roads (Scotland) Regulations 2019 (S.S.I. 2019/138), regs. 1, 6, sch. 2
C6S. 103 modified (16.8.2006) by The Dover Harbour Revision Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2167), art. 27
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