Road Traffic Act 1988

Changes over time for: Section 131

Alternative versions:

Changes to legislation:

Road Traffic Act 1988, Section 131 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 22 November 2024. 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.

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 legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.

View outstanding changes

Changes and effects yet to be applied to Section 131:

s. 131(1)(a)-(c) substituted by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 13(2)
s. 131(2) repealed by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 13(3) Sch. 7(14)
s. 131(3) words substituted by 2006 c. 49, Sch. 6 para. 13(3A) (as inserted) by S.I. 2023/1286 Sch. 3 para. 92(2)(a)(ii)
s. 131(4) words substituted by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 13(5)
s. 131(4B) words substituted by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 13(6)
s. 131(4D) words substituted by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 13(7)(a)
s. 131(4D) words substituted by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 13(7)(b)
s. 131(4F) words substituted by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 13(8)

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

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

s. 3B-3D inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 54(1)
s. 13A(1A) inserted by 2024 c. 10 Sch. 3 para. 1(4)(b)
s. 22B inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 54(2)
s. 25(1) s. 25 renumbered as s. 25(1) by 2024 c. 10 s. 55(a)
s. 25(2) inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 55(b)
s. 34A inserted by 2000 c. 37 Sch. 7 para. 6 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. The amending provision has been repealed)
s. 34B 34C and cross-heading inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 53(1)
s. 41(2)(m) inserted by 2006 c. 49 s. 18(1)(a)
s. 41(2)(ba) inserted by 2006 c. 49 s. 56(3)
s. 49(3A) inserted by 2006 c. 49 s. 48(1)
s. 66(7A) inserted by 2006 c. 49 s. 56(5)
s. 67(1A)(1B) inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 92(2)(a)
s. 67(3B)(d) and word inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 92(2)(b)(ii)
s. 67(8A) inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 92(2)(c)
s. 67(11) inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 92(2)(d)
s. 68(6)(d) and word inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 92(3)(b)(ii)
s. 68(7)(8) inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 92(3)(c)
s. 69(1)(d) and word inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 92(4)(a)
s. 69(2)(d) and word inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 92(4)(b)
s. 69(10) inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 92(4)(c)
s. 76(11) inserted by 2024 c. 10 s. 56
s. 85(1) words omitted (temp.) by S.I. 2019/648 reg. 2(5)(a) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Reg. 2(5)(a) substituted (1.9.2020) by S.I. 2020/818, regs. 1(b), Sch. 6 para. 39(2)(c)(i))
s. 85(1) words omitted (temp.) by S.I. 2019/648 reg. 2(5)(d) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Reg. 2(5)(a) substituted (1.9.2020) by S.I. 2020/818, regs. 1(b), Sch. 6 para. 39(2)(c)(ii))
s. 85(2) added by 1988 c. 54 Sch. 2 para. 17(c)
s. 97(1)(c)(ia) words repealed by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 3 para. 6(2)(b) Sch. 7(4)
s. 97(1)(d)(ii) words omitted by S.I. 2018/1251 reg. 2(4)
s. 97(1ZA) inserted by 2006 c. 49 s. 38(2)
s. 108(1BA) inserted by S.I. 2018/1251 reg. 2(5)(c)
s. 123 123A substituted for s. 123 by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 2
s. 123A(3) words inserted by 2009 c. 17 s. 1(3)
s. 124(3)-(5) inserted by 2009 c. 17 s. 3
s. 124(6) inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 2(b) (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 125(3A)-(3D) inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 3(2) (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 125(5A) inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 3(3) (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 125A(5)-(7E) substituted for s. 125A(5)-(7) by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 6(3)
s. 125ZA inserted by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 5
s. 125ZA(2)(b) word omitted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 4(2)(a) (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 125ZA(2)(d) and word inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 4(2)(b) (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 125ZA(4)(c) word omitted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 4(3)(c) (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 125ZA(4)(c) words substituted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 4(3)(b) (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 125ZA(4)(ba)(bb) inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 4(3)(a) (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 125ZA(4)(ca) inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 4(3)(d) (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 126(5) omitted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 6 (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 126A inserted by 2016 c. 16 s. 1(3)
s. 126A omitted (cond.) by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 8A (as inserted) by 2016 c. 16 s. 3(3)
s. 126A heading words inserted by S.I. 2016/1089 reg. 3(2) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Regs. 3, 4 omitted (1.12.2023) without ever being in force by virtue of S.I. 2023/1286, regs. 1, 7(3))
s. 126A(1) words inserted by S.I. 2016/1089 reg. 3(3)(a) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Regs. 3, 4 omitted (1.12.2023) without ever being in force by virtue of S.I. 2023/1286, regs. 1, 7(3))
s. 126A(1) words inserted by S.I. 2016/1089 reg. 3(3)(b) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Regs. 3, 4 omitted (1.12.2023) without ever being in force by virtue of S.I. 2023/1286, regs. 1, 7(3))
s. 128A inserted by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 11
s. 128A(4) inserted by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 11 (as inserted) by 2016 c. 16 s. 4(4)
s. 128B inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 9 (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 128ZA inserted by 2009 c. 17 s. 1(1)
s. 128ZB inserted by 2009 c. 17 s. 2
s. 128AZA 128AZB inserted by 2016 c. 16 s. 2(2)
s. 128AZA 128AZB inserted (cond.) by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 10A (as inserted) by 2016 c. 16 s. 4(2)
s. 128AZA 128AZB substituted (cond.) by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 10A (as inserted) by 2016 c. 16 s. 4(2)
s. 128AZA heading words inserted by S.I. 2016/1089 reg. 4(2)(a) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Regs. 3, 4 omitted (1.12.2023) without ever being in force by virtue of S.I. 2023/1286, regs. 1, 7(3))
s. 128AZA(1) words inserted by S.I. 2016/1089 reg. 4(2)(b) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Regs. 3, 4 omitted (1.12.2023) without ever being in force by virtue of S.I. 2023/1286, regs. 1, 7(3))
s. 128AZA(4) words inserted by S.I. 2016/1089 reg. 4(2)(c) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Regs. 3, 4 omitted (1.12.2023) without ever being in force by virtue of S.I. 2023/1286, regs. 1, 7(3))
s. 128AZB heading words inserted by S.I. 2016/1089 reg. 4(3)(a) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Regs. 3, 4 omitted (1.12.2023) without ever being in force by virtue of S.I. 2023/1286, regs. 1, 7(3))
s. 128AZB(1) words inserted by S.I. 2016/1089 reg. 4(3)(b)(i) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Regs. 3, 4 omitted (1.12.2023) without ever being in force by virtue of S.I. 2023/1286, regs. 1, 7(3))
s. 128AZB(1) words inserted by S.I. 2016/1089 reg. 4(3)(b)(ii) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Regs. 3, 4 omitted (1.12.2023) without ever being in force by virtue of S.I. 2023/1286, regs. 1, 7(3))
s. 131(A1)-(C1) inserted by 2006 c. 49, Sch. 6 para. 13(1A) (as inserted) by S.I. 2023/1286 Sch. 3 para. 92(2)(a)(i)
s. 131(3)(b)(c) substituted for s. 131(3)(b) and word by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 13(4)
s. 131(6) inserted by 2016 c. 16 s. 2(4)
s. 131(6) inserted by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 13(9) (as inserted) by 2016 c. 16 s. 4(5)
s. 131(6) substituted by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 13(9) (as inserted) by 2016 c. 16 s. 4(5)
s. 132-133ZA and cross-heading substituted for ss. 132, 133 and cross-heading by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 14
s. 133(2)(a) words omitted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 10(a) (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 133(2)(b) words omitted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 10(b) (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 133D(1A) inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 2 para. 14(2) (This amendment is to Part 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended by Schedule 6 to the Road Safety Act 2006. Those amendments have not yet come into force)
s. 140(1)(2) inserted by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 23(2)
s. 140(1A) inserted in earlier affecting provision 2006 c. 49, Sch. 6 para. 23(2) by S.I. 2023/1286 Sch. 3 para. 92(2)(b)
s. 140(3) s. 140 renumbered as s. 140(3) by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 23(1)
s. 141A(5) words repealed by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 3 para. 24 Sch. 7(4)
s. 143(1A) repealed (cond.) by S.I. 2019/1047 Sch. 2 para. 2 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. The insertion of s. 143(1A) by 2018 c. 18, Sch. para. 17 was repealed (1.11.2019) by The Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1047), reg. 1, Sch. 2 para. 1 (with reg. 5) without ever being brought into force.)
s. 145(3A) word inserted by 2024 c. 10 Sch. 2 para. 4(2)
s. 173(2)(g)-(gb) substituted for s. 173(2)(g) by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 27
s. 173(2)(n) and word inserted by 2006 c. 49 s. 37(8)
s. 174(1)(da) inserted by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 28
s. 183(6A) inserted by 2006 c. 49 Sch. 6 para. 29
s. 192(1ZA) inserted by 2024 c. 10 Sch. 2 para. 4(5)(b)

131 Appeals.E+W+S

[F1(A1)A relevant person who is aggrieved by the failure of the Registrar to notify the person of a decision in relation to an application for entry of the person’s name in the register before the end of the period of four months beginning with the day after the day on which the complete application was submitted, may appeal to the First-tier Tribunal.

(B1)On an appeal under subsection (A1), the First-tier Tribunal may make such order requiring the Registrar to notify the relevant person of a decision in relation to the application as it thinks fit.

(C1)In subsections (A1) and (B1), “relevant person” means a person entitled to give paid instruction in the driving of a motor car by virtue of Part 2 of the Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023.]

(1)A person who is aggrieved by a decision of the Registrar—

(a)to refuse an application for the entry of his name in the register, or

(b)to refuse an application for the retention of his name in the register, or

(c)to remove his name from the register,

may [F2appeal to the First-tier Tribunal.]

(2)A person who is aggrieved by a decision of the Registrar—

(a)to refuse an application for the grant of a licence under this Part of this Act, or

(b)to revoke such a licence,

may [F2appeal to the First-tier Tribunal.]

(3)On [F3an appeal under subsection (1) or (2)] the [F4First-tier Tribunal] may make such order—

(a)for the grant or refusal of the application

or,

(b)for the removal or the retention of the name in the register, or the revocation or continuation of the licence,

(as the case may be) as [F5it thinks] fit.

(4)An order for such refusal, removal or revocation may direct that an application by the appellant—

(a)for the grant of a licence under this Part of this Act, or

(b)for his name to be entered in the register,

shall not be entertained before the expiration of such period, not exceeding four years beginning with the day on which the order is made, as may be specified in the order.

[F6(4A)If the [F7First-tier Tribunal considers] that any evidence adduced on an appeal had not been adduced to the Registrar before he gave the decision to which the appeal relates, [F8it] may (instead of making an order under subsection (3) above) remit the matter to the Registrar for him to reconsider the decision.]

[F9(4B)A person who is aggrieved by a decision of the Registrar not to give a direction under section 127(8), 128(7) or 130(6) of this Act may [F10appeal to the First-tier Tribunal.]

(4C)The [F11First-tier Tribunal] shall determine the appeal by either—

(a)giving the direction concerned, or

(b)dismissing the appeal.

F12. . .

(4D)Where the Registrar has decided to refuse an application for the retention of a name in the register, to remove a name from the register or to revoke a licence granted under section 129 of this Act but either—

(a)he gave a direction under section 127(8), 128(7) or 130(6) of this Act, or

(b)the [F13First-tier Tribunal] have given such a direction on appeal,

he may F14. . . apply to the [F13First-tier Tribunal] for an order that the decision is to take effect immediately.

(4E)The [F15First-tier Tribunal] shall determine the Registrar’s application by either granting or refusing the application.F16. . .

(4F)The [F17First-tier Tribunal] may only grant the application if [F18it considers] that a failure to do so might prejudicially affect—

(a)the well-being of any person to whom the person concerned may give instruction in the driving of a motor car, or

(b)the safety of road users.]

(4G)F19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5)F20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1S. 131(A1)-(C1) inserted (until the commencement of 2006 c. 49, Sch. 6) by S.I. 2016/1089, reg. 2(8)(a) (as substituted (1.12.2023) by The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1286), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 97(2)(b))

F2Words in s. 131(1)(2) substituted (1.9.2009) by The Transfer of Functions (Transport Tribunal and Appeal Panel) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1885), art. 4(1), Sch. 1 para. 11(a) (with Sch. 4)