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Road Traffic Act 1988
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Changes over time for: Section 14
Changes to legislation:
Road Traffic Act 1988, Section 14 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 21 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.
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 The amending provision has been repealed)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)
14 Seat belts: adults.E+W+S
(1)The Secretary of State may make regulations requiring, subject to such exceptions as may be prescribed, persons who are driving or riding in motor vehicles on a road to wear seat belts of such description as may be prescribed.
(2)Regulations under this section—
(a)may make different provision in relation to different classes of vehicles, different descriptions of persons and different circumstances,
F1(aa). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b)shall include exceptions for—
[F2(i)the driver of or a passenger in a motor vehicle constructed or adapted for carrying goods, while on a journey which does not exceed the prescribed distance and which is undertaken for the purpose of delivering or collecting any thing,]
(ii)the drivers of vehicles while performing a manoeuvre which includes reversing,
(iii)any person holding a valid certificate signed by a medical practitioner to the effect that it is inadvisable on medical grounds for him to wear a seat belt,
[F3(bb)[F4may] include an exception for any person holding a certificate to the like effect as that mentioned in paragraph (b)(iii) above which was issued in a member State F5... and which, under the law of that State, is valid for purposes corresponding to those of this section,]
(c)may make any prescribed exceptions subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, and
(d)may prescribe cases in which a fee of a prescribed amount may be charged on an application for any certificate required as a condition of any prescribed exception.
(3)A person who drives or rides in a motor vehicle in contravention of regulations under this section is guilty of an offence; but, notwithstanding any enactment or rule of law, no person other than the person actually committing the contravention is guilty of an offence by reason of the contravention.
(4)If the holder of any such certificate as is referred to in subsection (2)(b) [F6or (bb)]above is informed by a constable that he may be prosecuted for an offence under subsection (3) above, he is not in proceedings for that offence entitled to rely on the exception afforded to him by the certificate unless—
(a)it is produced to the constable at the time he is so informed, or
(b)it is produced—
(i)within seven days after the date on which he is so informed, or
(ii)as soon as is reasonably practicable,
at such police station as he may have specified to the constable, or
(c)where it is not produced at such police station, it is not reasonably practicable for it to be produced there before the day on which the proceedings are commenced.
(5)For the purposes of subsection (4) above, the laying of the information or, in Scotland, the service of the complaint on the accused shall be treated as the commencement of the proceedings.
(6)Regulations under this section requiring the wearing of seat belts by persons riding in motor vehicles shall not apply to children under the age of fourteen years.
F7(7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Subordinate Legislation Made
P1S. 14(1)(2) power exercised by S.I. 1991/1255
Textual Amendments
F1S. 14(2)(aa) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/512), regs. 1(1), 2(2)(a)(i); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F2S. 14(2)(b)(i) substituted (1.3.2005) by Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 (c. 20), ss. 110, 120; S.I. 2004/2759, art. 2(2)
F3S. 14(2)(bb) inserted (2.2.1993) by S.I. 1992/3105, reg. 2(2)(b).
F4Word in s. 14(2)(bb) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/512), regs. 1(1), 2(2)(a)(ii)(aa); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F5Words in s. 14(2)(bb) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/512), regs. 1(1), 2(2)(a)(ii)(bb); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F6Words in s. 14(4) inserted (2.2.1993) by S.I. 1992/3105, reg. 2(3).
F7S. 14(7) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/512), regs. 1(1), 2(2)(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
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