In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears, the following expressions have the following meanings, that is to say—

• " the Common Council " means the Common Council of the City of London ;

• " highway ", in the application of this Act to Scotland, shall be deemed to include any public right of way ;

• " licence " means, in relation to a vehicle, a licence issued for the vehicle under the [1971 c. 10.] Vehicles (Excise) Act 1971 ;

• " local authority " means—

  1. a

     in relation to England, a district council, London borough council or the Common Council;

  2. b

     in relation to Scotland, an islands or district council; and

  3. c

     in relation to Wales, a district council;

• " motor vehicle " means a mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on roads, whether Or not it is in a fit state for such use, and includes any trailer intended or adapted for use as an attachment to such a vehicle, any chassis or body, with or without wheels, appearing to have formed part of such a vehicle or trailer and anything attached to such a vehicle or trailer;

• " owner ", in relation to a motor vehicle which is the subject of a hiring agreement or hire-purchase agreement, includes the person entitled to possession of the vehicle under the agreement;

• " prescribed " means prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State;

• " the relevant date " has the meaning given to it by section 13(3) below.

Any reference in this Act to an enactment is a reference to it as amended or applied by or under any other enactment, including this Act