Royal arms

Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981

1981 CHAPTER 14

An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to public passenger vehicles.

PART I Preliminary

Definition and classification of public service vehicles

1 Definition of “public service vehicle”.

(1)

Subject to the provisions of this section, in this Act “public service vehicle” means a motor vehicle (other than a tramcar) which—

(a)

being a vehicle adapted to carry more than eight passengers, is used for carrying passengers for hire or reward; or

(b)

being a vehicle not so adapted, is used for carrying passengers for hire or reward at separate fares in the course of a business of carrying passengers.

(2)

For the purposes of subsection (1) above a vehicle “is used” as mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) of that subsection if it is being so used or if it has been used as mentioned in that paragraph and that use has not been permanently discontinued.

(3)

A vehicle carrying passengers at separate fares in the course of a business of carrying passengers, but doing so in circumstances in which the conditions set out in Part I, . . . F1 or III of Schedule 1 to this Act are fulfilled, shall be treated as not being a public service vehicle unless it is adapted to carry more than eight passengers.

(4)

For the purposes of this section a journey made by a vehicle in the course of which one or more passengers are carried at separate fares shall not be treated as made in the course of a business of carrying passengers if—

(a)

the fare or aggregate of the fares paid in respect of the journey does not exceed the amount of the running costs of the vehicle for the journey; and

(b)

the arrangements for the payment of fares by the passenger or passengers so carried were made before the journey began;

and for the purposes of paragraph (a) above the running costs of a vehicle for a journey shall be taken to include an appropriate amount in respect of depreciation and general wear.

(5)

For the purposes of this section, . . . F2 and Schedule 1 to this Act—

(a)

a vehicle is to be treated as carrying passengers for hire or reward if payment is made for, or for matters which include, the carrying of passengers, irrespective of the person to whom the payment is made and, in the case of a transaction effected by or on behalf of a member of any association of persons (whether incorporated or not) on the one hand and the association or another member thereof on the other hand, notwithstanding any rule of law as to such transactions;

(b)

a payment made for the carrying of a passenger shall be treated as a fare notwithstanding that it is made in consideration of other matters in addition to the journey and irrespective of the person by or to whom it is made;

(c)

a payment shall be treated as made for the carrying of a passenger if made in consideration of a person’s being given a right to be carried, whether for one or more journeys and whether or not the right is exercised.

(6)

Where a fare is paid for the carriage of a passenger on a journey by air, no part of that fare shall be treated for the purposes of subsection (5) above as paid in consideration of the carriage of the passenger by road by reason of the fact that, in case of mechanical failure, bad weather or other circumstances outside the operator’s control, part of that journey may be made by road.

2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F3

Traffic Areas and Traffic commissioners

3 Traffic areas.

(1)

For the purposes of this Act Great Britain shall be divided into the Metropolitan, Northern, Yorkshire, North-Western, West Midland, East Midland, Eastern, South Wales, Western, South-Eastern and Scottish Traffic Areas.

(2)

The Secretry of State may from time to time by order vary the provisions of this Act constituting traffic areas, either by altering the limits of an existing traffic area or by increasing or reducing the number of traffic areas or otherwise as he may think fit.

F4(2A)

The power to make an order under subsection (2) above includes power to make—

(a)

such incidental, consequential, supplemental or transitional provision, and

(b)

such savings,

as the Secretary of State may consider necessary or expedient for the purpose of, or in consequence of, or for giving full effect to, any order under that subsection for varying the number or limits of traffic areas in England and Wales.

(2B)

The power conferred by subsection (2A) above includes power to amend or modify any provision of this Act or any other enactment (whenever passed or made) for the purpose of making any such provision or savings.

(2C)

The powers conferred by subsections (2A) and (2B) above are without prejudice to what may be done under subsection (3) below.

(3)

An order under this section for varying the number or limits of traffic areas may contain such consequential and incidental provisions, including provisions—

(a)

as to the effect of licences previously issued, and consents previously given, by the traffic F5commissioner for any traffic area abolished or otherwise affected;

(b)

as to the effect of applications for licences or consents previously made to any such traffic F5commissioner, as to the traffic F5commissioner to whom applications relating to any such area may be made between the date of the order and the date as from which the abolition of, or other change in, the area is to have effect, and as to the traffic F5commissioner by whom and the places at which any such application may be heard, either before or after the last mentioned date;

(c)

as to the continuance of appeals pending against decisions of the traffic F5commissioner for any traffic area abolished or otherwise affected; and

(d)

as to the recovery of any sums due, at the date as from which a traffic area is abolished, to the traffic F5commissioner for that area,

as appear to the Secretary of State to be necessary or expedient in consequence of the variations of areas to be affected by the order.

(4)

The power to make orders conferred by this section shall be exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be laid before Parliament after being made, and an order under this section shall not have effect unless and until it has been approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

F64 Traffic commissioners.

(1)

There shall be a commissioner for each traffic area constituted for the purposes of this Act.

(2)

The commissioner for each traffic area shall be appointed by the Secretary of State and shall be known as the traffic commissioner for the area.

(3)

The traffic commissioner for a traffic area shall be responsible for issuing licences under this Act and shall have such other functions as are given to him by, or in pursuance of, this Act or any other enactment.

(4)

Any person appointed to be the traffic commissioner for a traffic area shall—

(a)

act under F7the general directions of, and shall have regard to any guidance given by, the senior traffic commissioner; and

(b)

vacate his office on attaining the age of sixty-five, or on such later date before he attains the age of sixty-six as the Secretary of State may at any time direct, but otherwise hold office during Her Majesty’s pleasure.

(5)

Where the Secretary of State proposes to appoint a person to be the traffic commissioner for a traffic area he shall, before making the appointment, require that person to declare if he has any, and if so what, financial interest in any transport undertaking which carries passengers or goods by road within Great Britain.

(6)

Schedule 2 to this Act shall have effect with respect to traffic commissioners.

F84AAppointment of senior traffic commissioner

(1)

One of the traffic commissioners shall be appointed by the Secretary of State to be the senior traffic commissioner.

(2)

The senior traffic commissioner shall have such functions as may be conferred or imposed by or under any of the following enactments—

(a)

section 4B below (deployment of traffic commissioners),

(b)

section 4C below (guidance and general directions),

or any other provision of this Act or any other enactment.

(3)

The senior traffic commissioner—

(a)

shall hold office for such period as the Secretary of State specifies when making the appointment; but

(b)

ceases to hold that office on ceasing to hold office as a traffic commissioner.

(4)

A traffic commissioner who has been the senior traffic commissioner is eligible for re-appointment as the senior traffic commissioner.

(5)

In the case of illness, incapacity or absence of the senior traffic commissioner, the Secretary of State may appoint another traffic commissioner to act as deputy for the senior traffic commissioner.

(6)

Where the office of senior traffic commissioner becomes vacant, the Secretary of State may appoint a person (whether or not over the age of 65) to act as senior traffic commissioner pending the appointment of a new senior traffic commissioner.

(7)

Any person appointed under subsection (6) above shall—

(a)

hold office for such period as the Secretary of State specifies when making the appointment; and

(b)

during that period be treated for all purposes as the senior traffic commissioner.

4BPower of senior traffic commissioner to deploy other commissioners

(1)

In this section—

(a)

subsections (2) to (4) confer powers on the senior traffic commissioner in relation to traffic commissioners and deputy traffic commissioners for England and Wales; and

(b)

subsections (5) to (7) confer powers on the senior traffic commissioner in relation to the Scottish traffic commissioner and any deputy traffic commissioners for the Scottish traffic area.

(2)

The senior traffic commissioner may require any traffic commissioner for England and Wales to carry out such of the functions of traffic commissioner for England and Wales as the senior traffic commissioner may determine—

(a)

in relation to such matters relating to England and Wales, or

(b)

as respects Scotland, in relation to such reserved matters,

as the senior traffic commissioner may determine.

(3)

The senior traffic commissioner may require any traffic commissioner for England and Wales to carry out such of those functions as the senior traffic commissioner may determine at such places—

(a)

in England and Wales, or

(b)

in the case of functions which relate to reserved matters and are exercisable in relation to Scotland, in Scotland,

as the senior traffic commissioner may determine.

(4)

Subsections (2) and (3) above also apply in relation to a deputy traffic commissioner for England and Wales as they apply in relation to a traffic commissioner for England and Wales, construing the references to functions accordingly.

(5)

The senior traffic commissioner may require the Scottish traffic commissioner to carry out as respects England and Wales such of the functions exercisable by the Scottish traffic commissioner in relation to reserved matters by virtue of section 4(3B)(b) of this Act as the senior traffic commissioner may determine.

(6)

The senior traffic commissioner may require the Scottish traffic commissioner to carry out such of those functions as the senior traffic commissioner may determine at such places in England and Wales as the senior traffic commissioner may determine.

(7)

Subsections (5) and (6) above also apply in relation to a deputy traffic commissioner for the Scottish Traffic Area as they apply in relation to the Scottish traffic commissioner, construing the references to functions accordingly.

(8)

In this section—

deputy traffic commissioner for the Scottish Traffic Area” means any person appointed under paragraph 3 or 4 of Schedule 2 to this Act to act as deputy in the case of the Scottish traffic commissioner;

reserved matters” means reserved matters within the meaning of the Scotland Act 1998.

4CPower of senior traffic commissioner to give guidance and directions

(1)

The senior traffic commissioner may give to the traffic commissioners—

(a)

guidance, or

(b)

general directions,

as to the exercise of their functions under any enactment.

This subsection is subject, in relation to Scotland, to subsection (5) below.

(2)

The guidance that may be given under subsection (1)(a) above includes guidance as to—

(a)

the meaning and operation of any enactment or instrument relevant to the functions of traffic commissioners;

(b)

the circumstances in which, and the manner in which, a traffic commissioner should exercise any power to impose any sanction or penalty;

(c)

matters which a traffic commissioner should or should not take into account when exercising any particular function.

(3)

The directions that may be given under subsection (1)(b) above include directions as to—

(a)

the circumstances in which, and the manner in which, officers or servants of a traffic commissioner may exercise any function for or on behalf of the traffic commissioner, and any conditions which such officers or servants must meet before they may do so;

(b)

the information which a traffic commissioner must ask to be supplied in connection with the exercise of any particular function, and the steps which must be taken to verify the accuracy of any information so supplied;

(c)

the procedure to be adopted in conducting inquiries under section 54 of this Act, section 35 of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995 or any other enactment;

(d)

the manner in which a traffic commissioner must or may publish his decisions;

(e)

circumstances in which a traffic commissioner must consult some, or all, of the other traffic commissioners before exercising any particular function.

(4)

The senior traffic commissioner must consult each of the following persons before giving any guidance or directions under subsection (1) above—

(a)

the Secretary of State;

(b)

the Scottish Ministers, if the senior traffic commissioner considers it appropriate;

(c)

the Welsh Ministers, if the senior traffic commissioner considers it appropriate;

(d)

such of the other traffic commissioners as the senior traffic commissioner considers appropriate;

(e)

such organisations representative of the interests of local government, of London government, of Integrated Transport AuthoritiesF9, of combined authorities and of Passenger Transport Executives as the senior traffic commissioner considers appropriate;

(f)

such organisations representative of the interests of users of public passenger transport services as the senior traffic commissioner considers appropriate;

(g)

such organisations representative of passenger transport operators, and of road haulage operators, as the senior traffic commissioner considers appropriate;

and such other persons as the senior traffic commissioner considers appropriate.

(5)

The only guidance or directions under this section which the senior traffic commissioner may give to the Scottish traffic commissioner are guidance or directions as to the exercise of functions that relate to reserved matters within the meaning of the Scotland Act 1998.

4DGuidance to senior traffic commissioner by Secretary of State

(1)

The Secretary of State may give the senior traffic commissioner guidance as to the exercise of any of the senior traffic commissioner's functions.

(2)

The senior traffic commissioner must have regard to any guidance given under subsection (1) above.

F105 Publication of information by traffic commissioners.

(1)

Every traffic commissioner shall publish, in such form and at such times as may be prescribed, such information with respect to the exercise, or proposed exercise, of any of his functions under this Act or the Transport Act 1985 as may be prescribed.

(2)

Where the traffic commissioner for a traffic area publishes information under this section he shall—

(a)

send a copy of the publication–

(i)

to every chief officer of police, Passenger Transport Executive and local authority whose area falls partly or wholly within that traffic area; and

(ii)

where that traffic area falls wholly or partly within London, to F11Transport for London; and

(b)

make a copy of it available (by post if required and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed) to anyone who asks for one.

(3)

In this section “local authority” means—

(a)

in England and Wales, the council of any non-metropolitan county, any district or London borough or the Common Council of the City of London; and

(b)

in Scotland, any F12council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994.

PART II General Provisions Relating to Public Service Vehicles

Fitness of public service vehicles

6 Certificate of initial fitness (or equivalent) required for use as public service vehicles.

(1)

F13Subject to subsection (1ZA) below, A public service vehicle adapted to carry more than eight passengers shall not be used on a road unless—

(a)

F14an examiner appointed under section 66A of the Road Traffic Act 1988F15or an authorised inspector has issued a certificate (in this Act referred to as a “certificate of initial fitness”) that the prescribed conditions as to fitness are fulfilled in respect of the vehicle; or

(b)

a certificate under section 10 of this Act has been issued in respect of the vehicle; or

F16(d)

one of the following certificates has effect with respect to the vehicle―

(i)

an EC certificate of conformity;

(ii)

a national small series certificate of conformity;

(iii)

an individual approval certificate.

F17(1ZA)

In the case of a public service vehicle to which subsection (1ZB) below applies, subsection (1) above has effect as if paragraphs (a) and (b) of that subsection were omitted.

(1ZB)

This subsection applies to any public service vehicle which, by virtue of regulation 6 of the Approval Regulations, may not—

(a)

be granted a first licence under section 21 of the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994, or

(b)

be registered before the issue of a first licence under that section,

unless one of the certificates mentioned in paragraph (d) of subsection (1) above has effect with respect to the vehicle.

F18(1A)

Without prejudice to the powers of the Secretary of State under section 7 of this Act in relation to the exercise by certifying officers of their functions, regulations may make provision with respect to the examination of vehicles for the purposes of subsection (1)(a) above by or under the direction of authorised inspectors and the issue or refusal of certificates of initial fitness by such inspectors on any such examinations.

(2)

Subject to section 68(3) of this Act, if a vehicle is used in contravention of subsection (1) above, the operator of the vehicle shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding F19level 4 on the standard scale.

F20(3)

In this section—

Approval Regulations” means the Road Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 2009;

EC certificate of conformity”, “national small series certificate of conformity” and “individual approval certificate” have the meaning given by regulation 3(1) of the Approval Regulations.

F217. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8 Powers of, and facilities for, inspection of public service vehicles.

—(1)

F22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F22(1A)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F22(2)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)

The Secretary of State may—

(a)

provide and maintain stations where inspections of public service vehicles F23. . . may be carried out;

(b)

designate premises as stations where such inspections may be carried out; and

(c)

provide and maintain apparatus for the carrying out of such inspections;

and in this Act “official PSV testing station” means a station provided, or any premises for the time being designated, under this subsection.

F249. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F259A Extension of sections 8 and 9 to certain passenger vehicles other than public service vehicles.

(1)

Section 8 of this Act shall apply, F26. . ., to any motor vehicle (other than a tramcar) which is adapted to carry more than eight passengers but is not a public service vehicle as it applies to a public service vehicle.

F27(2)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10 Approval of type vehicle and effect thereof.

(1)

Where the Secretary of State is satisfied in respect of one vehicle of a particular type that the prescribed conditions as to fitness are fulfilled in respect of the vehicle he may, on payment of the prescribed fee, approve the vehicle as a type vehicle.

(2)

Where a type vehicle has been approved under this section and a declaration in the prescribed form has been made by a person authorised by the Secretary of State in that behalf that any other vehicle conforms in design, construction and equipment with the type vehicle, F28an examiner appointed under section 66A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 may, after examining if he thinks fit that other vehicle, issue a certificate in the prescribed form that the vehicle conforms to the type vehicle.

(3)

The Secretary of State may at any time withdraw his approval of a type vehicle and thereafter no certificate that any other vehicle conforms to the type vehicle shall be issued; but as regards any such certificate previously issued, the withdrawal of the approval shall not affect the operation of that certificate for the purposes of section 6 of this Act.

11 Modification of section 6 in relation to experimental vehicles.

(1)

Where it appears to the Secretary of State expedient to do so for the purpose of the making of tests or trials of a vehicle or its equipment, he may by order made in respect of that vehicle for the purposes of section 6 of this Act dispense with such of the prescribed conditions as to fitness referred to in subsection (1)(a) of that section as are specified in the order.

(2)

While such an order is in force in respect of a vehicle, section 6 of this Act shall have effect in relation to the vehicle as if the prescribed conditions as to fitness referred to in subsection (1)(a) of that section did not include such of those conditions as are dispensed with by the order.

(3)

An order under this section shall specify the period for which it is to continue in force, and may contain, or authorise the imposition of, requirements, restrictions or prohibitions relating to the construction, equipment or use of the vehicle to which the order relates.

(4)

Where an order under this section in respect of a vehicle is revoked or otherwise ceases to have effect, any certificate of initial fitness issued under section 6 of this Act in respect of the vehicle while the order was in force shall, for the purposes of that section as regards any use of the vehicle after the order has ceased to have effect, be deemed never to have been issued.

Public service vehicle operators’ licences

12PSV operators’ licences.

F29(1)

A public service vehicle shall not be used on a road for carrying passengers for hire or reward except under a PSV operator’s licence granted in accordance with the following provisions of this Part of this Act.

F30(1A)

Subsection (1) applies in spite of Article 1.4(b) and (c) of the 2009 Regulation (exemptions unless otherwise provided in national law for certain undertakings engaged in road passenger transport services and for slow vehicles), but is subject to section 46 of this Act and section 18 of the Transport Act 1985

(2)

The authority having power to grant a PSV operator’s licence is the traffic F31commissioner for any traffic area in which, if the licence is granted, there will be one or more operating centres of vehicles used under the licence; and, subject to the provisions of this Part of this Act, a PSV operator’s licence authorises the holder to use anywhere in Great Britain vehicles which have their operating centre in the area of the traffic F31commissioner by whom the licence was granted.

(3)

A person may hold two or more PSV operators’ licences each granted by the traffic F31commissioner for F32a different area, but shall not at the same time hold more than one such licence granted by the F31commissioner for the same area.

(4)

An application for a PSV operator’s licence shall be made in such a form as the traffic F33commissioner may require, and an applicant shall give the F33commissioner such information as F34he may reasonably require for disposing of the application.

(5)

Subject to section 68(3) of this Act, if a vehicle is used in contravention of subsection (1) above, the operator of the vehicle shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding F35level 4 on the standard scale.

F3612ADetention of certain PSVs used without PSV operators' licences

Schedule 2A (which relates to the detention, removal and disposal of PSVs which are adapted to carry more than 8 passengers and in respect of which it appears that section 12(1) is contravened) shall have effect. .

F3712BPower to stop

(1)

Subsection (2) applies if it appears to a stopping officer that a vehicle is being used in circumstances such that a PSV operator’s licence could be required.

(2)

The officer may direct the driver to stop the vehicle for the purpose of enabling checks to be carried out to establish whether the use of the vehicle is in contravention of section 12(1) or 18(1).

(3)

In this section a “stopping officer” means an officer appointed under section 66B of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

13 Classification of licences.

(1)

A PSV operator’s licence may be either a standard licence or a restricted licence.

(2)

A standard licence authorises the use of any description of public service vehicle and may authorise use either—

(a)

on both national and international operations; or

(b)

on national operations only.

(3)

A restricted licence authorises the use (whether on national or international operations) of—

(a)

public service vehicles not adapted to carry more than eight passengers; and

(b)

public service vehicles not adapted to carry more than sixteen passengers when used—

(ii)

otherwise than in the course of a business of carrying passengers; or

(ii)

by a person whose main occupation is not the operation of public service vehicles adapted to carry more than eight passengers.

(4)

For the purposes of subsection (3)(b)(i) above, a vehicle used for carrying passengers by a local or public authority shall not be regarded as used in the course of a business of carrying passengers unless it is used by the public service vehicle undertaking of that authority.

F3814Grant of licences

(1)

On an application for a standard licence a traffic commissioner must consider whether the requirements of sections 14ZA and 14ZC are satisfied.

(2)

On an application for a restricted licence a traffic commissioner must consider whether the requirements of sections 14ZB and 14ZC are satisfied.

(3)

If on an application for a PSV operator’s licence the traffic commissioner determines that the relevant requirements mentioned in subsection (1) or (2) are satisfied the commissioner must, subject to section 16 (conditions attached to licences), grant the licence in accordance with the application.

14ZA.Requirements for standard licences

(1)

The requirements of this section are set out in subsections (2) and (3).

(2)

The first requirement is that the traffic commissioner is satisfied that the applicant—

(a)

has an effective and stable establishment in Great Britain (as determined in accordance with Article 5 of the 2009 Regulation),

(b)

is of good repute (as determined in accordance with paragraph 1 of Schedule 3),

(c)

has appropriate financial standing (as determined in accordance with Article 7 of the 2009 Regulation), and

(d)

is professionally competent (as determined in accordance with paragraphs 3, 4 and 6 of Schedule 3).

(3)

The second requirement is that the traffic commissioner is satisfied that the applicant has designated a transport manager in accordance with Article 4 of the 2009 Regulation who—

(a)

is of good repute (as determined in accordance with paragraph 1 of Schedule 3),

(b)

is professionally competent (as determined in accordance with paragraph 6 of Schedule 3), and

(c)

in the case of a transport manager designated under Article 4.2 of the 2009 Regulation

(i)

is not prohibited from being so designated by a traffic commissioner, and

(ii)

is not designated to act as transport manager for a greater number of road transport operators or in respect of a greater number of vehicles than the traffic commissioner considers appropriate, having regard to the upper limits in Article 4.2(c) of the 2009 Regulation, or such smaller number as the commissioner considers appropriate (see Article 4.3 of the 2009 Regulation).

14ZB.Requirements for restricted licences

The requirement of this section is that the traffic commissioner is satisfied that the applicant —

(a)

is of good repute (as determined in accordance with paragraph 1 of Schedule 3), and

(b)

has appropriate financial standing (as determined in accordance with paragraph 2 of Schedule 3).

14ZC.Requirements for standard and restricted licences

(1)

The requirement of this section is that the traffic commissioner is satisfied —

(a)

that there will be adequate facilities or arrangements for maintaining in a fit and serviceable condition the vehicles proposed to be used under the licence; and

(b)

that there will be adequate arrangements for securing compliance with the requirements of the law relating to the driving and operation of those vehicles.

(2)

In considering whether the requirement of this section is satisfied, the traffic commissioner may take into account any undertakings given by the applicant (or procured by the applicant to be given) for the purposes of the application and may assume those undertakings will be fulfilled.

(3)

Where the traffic commissioner grants an application for a PSV operator’s licence, any undertakings taken into account by the commissioner under subsection (2) that the commissioner considers to be material to the granting of the application must be recorded in the licence issued to the applicant

F3914A Objections to application for PSV operator’s licence.

(1)

Where an application is made for the grant of a PSV operator’s licence under this Act, any chief officer of police or local authority may object to the grant of the licence on the ground that one or more of the requirements mentioned in F40sections 14ZA to 14ZC of this Act are not satisfied in relation to the application.

(2)

An objection under this section shall be made within the prescribed time and in the prescribed manner and shall contain particulars of the ground on which it is made.

F41(2A)

Where the traffic commissioner considers there to be exceptional circumstances that justify his doing so, he may direct that an objection be treated for the purposes of this Part of this Act as duly made under this section, notwithstanding that it was not made within the prescribed time or in the prescribed manner.

F42(3)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)

In this section “local authority” means—

(a)

in England and Wales, the council of a county, district or London borough or the Common Council of the City of London or a Passenger Transport Executive; and

(b)

in Scotland, a F43council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994.

(5)

This section does not apply in relation to any application for a special licence (within the meaning of section 12 of the Transport Act 1985).

15 Duration of licences.

(1)

There shall be specified in every PSV operator’s licence the date on which the licence is to come into force .

F44(2)

Subject to its revocation or other termination under any provision of this Act or another statutory provision, a PSV operator’s licence shall continue in force indefinitely.

(3)

If the holder of a PSV operator’s licence requests the traffic commissioner by whom it was granted to terminate it at any time, the commissioner shall, subject to subsection (4) below, comply with the request.

(4)

The traffic commissioner may refuse to comply with the request if he is considering taking action in respect of the licence under section 17(1) or (2) of this Act.

Annotations:
Amendments (Textual)

F44S. 15(2)-(4) substituted (1.1.1996) for words from “and the date on which it is to expire” to the end by 1994 c. 40, s. 61, S.I. 1995/2835, art. 2

16 Conditions attached to licences.

(1)

F45Subject to subsection (1A) below and section 12(7) of the Transport Act 1985F46A traffic commissioner on granting a PSV operator’s licence shall attach to it one or more conditions specifying the maximum number of vehicles (being vehicles having their operating centre in the area of F46that commissioner) which the holder of the licence may at any one time use under the licence.

F47(1A)

In the case of a restricted licence, the number specified as the maximum in any condition imposed under subsection (1) above shall not, except in any prescribed case or class of case, exceed two.

(2)

Conditions attached under subsection (1) above to a PSV operator’s licence may specify different maximum numbers for different descriptions of vehicle.

(3)

F48A traffic commissioner may (whether at the time when the licence is granted or at any time thereafter) attach to a PSV operator’s licence granted by F49him such conditions or additional conditions as F48he thinks fit for restricting or regulating the use of vehicles under the licence, being conditions of any prescribed description.

(4)

Without prejudice to the generality of the power to prescribe descriptions of conditions for the purposes of subsection (3) above, the descriptions which may be so prescribed include conditions for regulating the places at which vehicles being used under a PSV operator’s licence may stop to take up or set down passengers.

(5)

The traffic F50commissioner by whom a PSV operator’s licence was granted may at any time while it is in force vary the licence by—

(a)

altering in such manner as F51he thinks fit any condition attached under subsection (3) above to the licence; or

(b)

removing any condition so attached to the licence.

(6)

On the application of the holder of a PSV operator’s licence, the traffic F52commissioner by whom the licence was granted may at any time while it is in force—

(a)

vary the conditions attached under subsection (1) above to the licence; F53. . .

(b)

exercise F52his powers (whether of alteration or removal) under subsection (5) above; F54or

(c)

vary or remove any undertaking recorded in the licence;

and a person making an application under this subsection shall give to the traffic F52commissioner such information as F52he may reasonably require for the discharge of F52his duties in relation to the application.

F55(6A)

In considering whether to grant an application under subsection (6) above, the traffic commissioner may take into account any undertakings given by the applicant (or procured by him to be given) for the purposes of the application, and may assume that those undertakings will be fulfilled.

(6B)

In any case where the traffic commissioner grants an application under subsection (6) above, any undertakings taken into account by him under subsection (6A) above that he considers to be material to the granting of the application shall be recorded in the licence as varied.

(7)

Subject to section 68(3) of this Act, if a condition attached to a PSV operator’s licence is contravened, the holder of the licence shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding F56level 3 on the standard scale.

(8)

Compliance with any condition attached to a PSV operator’s licence . . . F57F58(other than a condition so attached under subsection (1A) above) may be temporarily dispensed with by the traffic F59commissioner by whom the licence was granted if F60he is satisfied that compliance with the condition would be unduly onerous by reason of circumstances not foreseen when the condition was attached or, if the condition has been altered, when it was last altered.

(9)

It is hereby declared that the conditions attached under subsection (1) F61or (1A) above to a PSV operator’s licence granted by the traffic F62commissioner for any area do not affect the use by the holder of the licence of a vehicle—

(a)

under a PSV operator’s licence granted to him by the traffic F62commissioner for another area; or

(b)

in circumstances such that another person falls to be treated as the operator of the vehicle (for example, by virtue of regulations under section 81(1)(a) of this Act).

F6316A Conditions as to matters required to be notified.

(1)

On issuing a standard licence, a traffic commissioner shall attach to it the following conditions, namely—

(a)

a condition requiring the licence-holder to inform the commissioner of any event which could affect the fulfilment by the licence-holder of any of the requirements of F64section 14ZA(2) of this Act, and to do so within 28 days of the event; and

(b)

a condition requiring the licence-holder to inform the commissioner of any event which could affect the fulfilment by a F65... transport manager of the requirements mentioned in F66section 14ZA(3)(a) and (b) of this Act, and to do so within 28 days of the event coming to the licence-holder’s knowledge.

F67(2)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)

Any person who contravenes any condition attached under this section to a licence of which he is the holder is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

17 Revocation, suspension etc. of licences.

F68(1)

The traffic commissioner by whom a standard licence was granted must revoke the licence if it appears to the commissioner at any time that—

(a)

the holder no longer satisfies the requirements of section 14ZA(2), or

(b)

the transport manager designated in accordance with Article 4 of the 2009 Regulation no longer satisfies the requirements of section 14ZA(3).

(1A)

Before revoking a standard licence under subsection (1), the traffic commissioner may serve on the holder a notice setting a time limit, in accordance with Article 13.1 of the 2009 Regulation, for the holder to rectify the situation.

(1B)

If the holder rectifies the situation within the time limit set under subsection (1A), the traffic commissioner must not revoke the licence.

(2)

Without prejudice to subsection (1) above, the traffic F69commissioner by whom a PSV operator’s licence was granted may, on any of the grounds specified in subsection (3) below, at any time—

(a)

revoke the licence;

(b)

suspend the licence for such period as F70he directs. . .;

F71(c)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d)

vary any condition attached under subsection (1) of section 16 of this Act to the licence, or attach to the licence (whether in addition to or in place of any existing condition so attached to it) any such condition as is mentioned in that subsection.

(3)

The grounds for action under subsection (2) above are—

(a)

that the holder of the licence made or procured to be made for the purposes of his application for the licence, or for the purposes of an application for a variation of the licence, a statement of fact which (whether to his knowledge or not) was false, or a statement of F72... expectation which has not been fulfilled;

F73(aa)

that any undertaking recorded in the licence has not been fulfilled;

(b)

that there has been a contravention of any condition attached to the licence;

(c)

that a prohibition under F74M1section 69 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 has been imposed with respect to a vehicle owned or operated by the holder of the licence, or that the holder of the licence has been convicted of an offence under section 71(1)(a) or (b) of that Act arising out of the contravention of such a prohibition;

(d)

in the case of a restricted licence, that the holder no longer satisfies F75the requirements of section 14ZB;

(e)

that there has been since the licence was granted or varied a material change in any of the circumstances of the holder of the licence which were relevant to the grant or variation of his licence.

F76(f)

the licence is one in relation to which a direction given by a traffic commissioner under section 28(4) of the Transport Act 1985 (power when disqualifying a former licence holder to direct that certain other PSV operators’ licences should be liable to be revoked, suspended, etc.) has effect

(4)

F77A traffic commissioner shall not take any action under subsection (1) or (2) above in respect of any licence without first holding F78an inquiry if the holder of the licence requests F79him to do so.

(5)

Where F80a traffic commissioner decides to revoke a licence under this section, F81he may direct that the revocation shall not take effect for such period as appears to F81him reasonably required to enable the business carried on under the licence to be transferred to another person duly licensed to carry it on.

F82(5A)

Where a licence is suspended under this section, it remains in force during the time of its suspension subject to the limitation that no vehicles are authorised to be used under it.

(5B)

A traffic commissioner who has suspended a licence under this section may at any time—

(a)

cancel the suspension; or

(b)

with the consent of the holder of the licence, vary the period for which it is suspended.

F83(6)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8417A Assessors to assist traffic commissioners.

(1)

In considering any financial question which appears to him to arise in relation to the exercise of his functions under section 14, 16 or 17 of this Act F85or under the 2009 Regulation, a traffic commissioner may be assisted by an assessor drawn from a panel of persons appointed by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section.

(2)

A traffic commissioner shall pay to any such assessor, in respect of his services, such remuneration as may be determined by the Secretary of State with the consent of the Treasury.

18 Duty to exhibit operator’s disc.

(1)

Where a vehicle is being used in circumstances such that a PSV operator’s licence is required, there shall be fixed and exhibited on the vehicle in the prescribed manner an operator’s disc issued under this section showing particulars of the operator of the vehicle and of the PSV operator’s licence under which the vehicle is being used.

F86(2)

A traffic commissioner on granting a PSV operator’s licence shall supply the person to whom the licence is granted—

(a)

with a number of operators’ discs equal to the maximum number of vehicles that he may use under the licence in accordance with the condition or conditions attached to the licence under section 16(1) of this Act; or

(b)

with such lesser number of operators’ discs as he may request.

(2A)

Where, in the case of any PSV operator’s licence, the maximum number referred to in subsection (2)(a) above is increased on the variation of one or more of the conditions there referred to, the traffic commissioner on making the variation shall supply the holder of the licence—

(a)

with such number of additional operators’ discs as will bring the total number of operators’ discs held by him in respect of the licence to that maximum number, or

(b)

with such lesser number of additional operators’ discs as he may request.

(2B)

Where the number of operators’ discs currently held in respect of a PSV operator’s licence is less than the maximum number referred to in subsection (2)(a) above, the traffic commissioner by whom the licence was granted shall on the application of the holder of the licence supply him with such number of additional operators’ discs as is mentioned in subsection (2A)(a) or (b) above.

(2C)

Where, in accordance with regulations under subsection (3)(aa) below, all the operators’ discs held in respect of a PSV operator’s licence expire at the same time, the traffic commissioner by whom the licence was granted shall supply the holder of the licence with a number of new operators’ discs equal to the number of discs that have expired.

(3)

Regulations may make provision—

(a)

as to the form of operators’ discs and the particulars to be shown on them;

F87(aa)

as to the expiry of operators’ discs;

(b)

with respect to the custody and production of operators’ discs;

(c)

for the issue of new operators’ discs in place of those lost, destroyed or defaced;

(d)

for the return of operators’ discs F88on their expiry or otherwise ceasing to have effect,on the revocation or F89on termination of a PSV operator’s licence or in the event of a variation of one or more conditions attached to a licence under section 16(1) of this Act having the effect of reducing the maximum number of vehicles which may be used under the licence.

F90(e)

for the voluntary return of operators’ discs by the holder of a PSV operator’s licence.

(4)

Subject to section 68(3) of this Act, if a vehicle is used in contravention of subsection (1) above, the operator of the vehicle shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding F91level 3 on the standard scale.

19 Duty to inform traffic commissioners of relevant convictions etc.

(1)

A person who has applied for a PSV operator’s licence shall forthwith notify the traffic F92commissioner to whom the application was made if, in the interval between the making of the application and the date on which it is disposed of, a relevant conviction occurs of the applicant, or any employee or agent of his, or of any person proposed to be engaged as transport manager whose repute and competence are relied on in connection with the application.

(2)

It shall be the duty of the holder of a PSV operator’s licence to give notice in writing to the traffic F93commissioner by whom the licence was granted of—

(a)

any relevant conviction of the holder; and

(b)

any relevant conviction of any officer, employee or agent of the holder for an offence committed in the course of the holder’s road passenger transport business,

and to do so within 28 days of the conviction in the case of a conviction of the holder or his transport manager and within 28 days of the conviction coming to the holder’s knowledge in any other case.

F94(2A)

For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2) above the issue to a person of a fixed penalty notice or conditional offer under Part 3 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 in respect of an offence prescribed for the purposes of this Act is to be treated as if it were a relevant conviction of him.

(3)

It shall be the duty of the holder of a PSV operator’s licence within 28 days of the occurrence of—

(a)

the bankruptcy or liquidation of the holder, or the sequestration of his estate F95or F96the entry into administration of the holder or the appointment of a receiver, manager or trustee of his road passenger transport business; or

F97(aa)

the making of a debt relief order in respect of the holder (under Part 7A of the Insolvency Act 1986); or

(b)

any change in the identity of the transport manager of the holder’s road passenger transport business,

to give notice in writing of that event to the traffic F98commissioner by whom the licence was granted.

(4)

F99A traffic commissioner on granting or varying a PSV operator’s licence, or at any time thereafter, may require the holder of the licence to inform F100him forthwith or within a time specified by F100him of any material change specified by F100him in any of F99the holder’s circumstances which were relevant to the grant or variation of the licence.

(5)

Subject to section 68(1) of this Act, a person who fails to comply with subsection (1), (2) or (3) above or with any requirement under subsection (4) above shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding F101level 3 on the standard scale.

20 Duty to give traffic commissioners information about vehicles.

(1)

It shall be the duty of the holder of a PSV operator’s licence, on the happening to any public service vehicle owned by him of any failure or damage of a nature calculated to affect the safety of occupants of the public service vehicle or of persons using the road, to report the matter as soon as is practicable F102to the F103Secretary of StateF102in accordance with regulations made by virtue of subsection (2A) below.

(2)

It shall be the duty of the holder of a PSV operator’s licence, on any alteration otherwise than by replacement of parts being made in the structure or fixed equipment of any public service vehicle owned by him, to give notice of the alteration as soon as is practicable F102to the F103Secretary of StateF102in accordance with regulations made by virtue of subsection (2A) below.

F104(2A)

Regulations may make provision—

(a)

for any report or notice required under subsection (1) or (2) above to be made or given to the Secretary of State or to the prescribed testing authority;

(b)

for requiring a public service vehicle to be submitted for examination in the event of any such failure or damage as is mentioned in subsection (1) above or any such alteration as is mentioned in subsection (2) above; and

(c)

for the examinations to be carried out under the regulations and, in particular, for authorising any such examination to be carried out by or under the direction of a F105an examiner appointed under section 66A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 or an authorised inspector.

(3)

The traffic F106commissioner by whom a PSV operator’s licence was granted may—

(a)

require the holder of the licence to supply F106him forthwith or within a specified time with such information as F106he may reasonably require about the public service vehicles owned by F107the holder and normally kept at an operating centre within the area of F107that commissioner, and to keep up to date information supplied by F107the holder under this paragraph; or

(b)

require the holder or former holder of the licence to supply F106him forthwith or within a specified time with such information as F106he may reasonably require about the public service vehicles owned by F107the holder or former holder at any material time specified by F106him which were at that time normally kept at an operating centre within the area of F107that commissioner.

In this subsection “material time” means a time when the PSV operator’s licence in question was in force.

(4)

Subject to section 68(1) of this Act, a person who fails to comply with the provisions of subsection (1) or (2) above or with any requirement under subsection (3) above shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding F108level 3 on the standard scale.

(5)

A person who in purporting to comply with any requirement under subsection (3) above supplies any information which he knows to be false or does not believe to be true shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding F109level 4 on the standard scale.

F110(6)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

21 Certificates of qualification.

(1)

A person who wishes to do either of the following things in another member State or in Northern Ireland, namely to carry on a road passenger transport business or to be the transport manager of such a business, may apply—

(a)

if he holds a standard licence, to the traffic F111commissioner by whom that licence was granted or, if he holds more than one, by whom the last such licence was granted;

(b)

in any other case, to the traffic F111commissioner for any traffic area,

for a certificate as to his repute and professional competence and, where relevant, his financial standing.

(2)

A person applying for a certificate under subsection (1) above shall give to the traffic F111commissioner such information as F111he may reasonably require for the discharge of F111his duties in relation to the application.

(3)

The traffic F111commissioner to whom an application under subsection (1) above is made shall certify such matters relating to the applicant as—

(a)

F112he is satisfied he may properly certify, and

(b)

appear to F112the commissioner to be of assistance to the applicant in satisfying the requirements of the law of the other member State in which he wishes to carry on business or to work or, as the case may be, the requirements of the law of Northern Ireland.

Drivers’ licences

F11322 Drivers’ licences.

(1)

A person—

(a)

shall not drive a public service vehicle on a road unless he is licensed for the purpose under this section; and

(b)

shall not employ a person who is not so licensed for the purpose to drive a public service vehicle on a road.

Notwithstanding section 1(1) of this Act, in this section and in sections 23 to 26 of this Act “public service vehicle” shall be construed as meaning F114a public service vehicle being used on a road for carrying passengers for hire or reward.

(2)

The authority having power to grant under this section a licence to a person to drive a public service vehicle shall be— F115the traffic commissioner for the traffic area in which that person resides at the time when he applies for a licence.

(3)

A person shall be disqualified for obtaining a licence to drive a public service vehicle unless he fulfils such conditions as may be prescribed.

(4)

A licence to drive a public service vehicle may be limited to such type or types of vehicles as may be specified in the licence.

(5)

A licence to drive a public service vehicle may at any time be suspended or revoked by the authority by whom it was granted upon the ground that, by reason of his conduct or physical disability, the holder is not a fit person to hold such a licence; and a licence suspended under this subsection shall during the time of suspension be of no effect.

(6)

A licence to drive a public service vehicle shall, unless previously revoked, continue in force for five years from the date on which it is expressed to take effect.

(7)

Without prejudice to section 23(3) of this Act if, on the date on which an application is made for a licence to drive a public service vehicle, the applicant is the holder of such a licence, the existing licence shall, notwithstanding anything in subsection (6) above, continue in force until the application is disposed of.

(8)

A licence granted under this section to a person resident in any traffic area shall be valid in every other traffic area.

(9)

Subject to section 68(1) and (3) of this Act, a person who contravenes subsection (1)(a) or (b) above shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding F116level 4 on the standard scale.

F11723 Appeals to courts of summary jurisdiction in connection with driver’s licences.

(1)

A person who, being the holder of or an applicant for a licence to drive a public service vehicle, feels aggrieved by the refusal or failure of F118a traffic commissioner . . . F119 to grant, or by the suspension or revocation of, such a licence, or by any limitation imposed thereon, may by notice in writing to the F120commissioner . . . F119, require F120him . . . F119 to reconsider the matter and shall on the reconsideration be entitled to be heard either personally or by his representative.

(2)

A person who is so aggrieved or who is dissatisfied with the decision of the F121commissioner . . . F122 on the reconsideration of the matter may appeal—

(a)

if he resides in England or Wales, to a magistrates’ court acting for the petty sessions area in which he resides,

(b)

if he resides in Scotland, to the sheriff within whose jurisdiction he resides,

and on any such appeal the court or sheriff may make such order as it or he thinks fit and any order so made shall be binding on the F121commissioner . . . F122.

(3)

Where the applicant for a licence to drive a public service vehicle, who is at the date of his application the holder of a licence, appeals under this section on the ground of refusal or failure to grant the licence, the existing licence shall, notwithstanding anything in section 22(6) of this Act, continue in force until the appeal has been disposed of.

F12323A Northern Ireland drivers’ licences.

(1)

A licensing authority may, notwithstanding any driving test condition imposed by regulations, grant a licence to an applicant to drive a public service vehicle of any type if the authority is satisfied that the applicant has, within the period of five years ending on the date of the coming into force of the licence, held a licence granted under the law of Northern Ireland to drive a public service vehicle of that type.

(2)

In this section—

driving test condition”, in relation to an applicant for a licence to drive a public service vehicle of any type, means a condition as to the provision of facilities for, or the passing of, a practical test of his ability to drive a public service vehicle of that type;

licencing authority” shall be construed in accordance with section 22(2) of this Act.

Regulation of conduct etc. of drivers, inspectors, conductors and passengers

24 Regulation of conduct of drivers, inspectors and conductors.

(1)

Regulations may make provision for regulating the conduct, when acting as such, of—

(a)

F124persons licensed to act as drivers of public service vehicles, and

(b)

inspectors and conductors of such vehicles; F125and

(c)

drivers, inspectors and conductors of tramcars.

(2)

Subject to section 68(1) of this Act, if a person to whom regulations having effect by virtue of this section apply contravenes, or fails to comply with, any of the provisions of the regulations, he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding F126level 2 on the standard scale and, in the case of an offence by a person acting as driver F127of a public service vehicle, the court by which he is convicted may, if it thinks fit, cause particulars of the conviction to be endorsed upon F128the counterpart of the licence granted to that person under F129Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988 F130or, as the case may be, the counterpart (if any) of his Community licence (within the meaning of that Part) F131 or, if he is not the holder of a licence (within the meaning of Part 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988), on his driving record (within the meaning of section 97A of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988).

(3)

The person who has the custody of F132any counterpart of a licence which is to be endorsed under subsection (2) above shall, if so required by the convicting court, produce F133it and the licence within a reasonable time for the purpose of endorsement, and, subject to section 68(1) of this Act, if he fails to do so, shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding F134level 3 on the standard scale.

(4)

In this section and in section 25 of this Act “inspector”, in relation to a public service vehicle, means a person authorised to act as an inspector by the holder of the PSV operator’s licence under which the vehicle is being used.

F135(5)

Notwithstanding section 1(1) of this Act, in this section and in sections 25 and 26 of this Act “public service vehicle” shall be construed as meaning a public service vehicle being used on a road for carrying passengers for hire or reward.

25 Regulation of conduct of passengers.

(1)

Regulations may make provision generally as to the conduct of passengers on public service vehicles F136or tramcars and in particular (but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision) for—

(a)

authorising the removal from a public service vehicle F136or tramcar of a person infringing the regulations by the driver, inspector or conductor of the vehicle or on the request of the driver, inspector or conductor by a police constable;

(b)

requiring a passenger in a public service vehicle F136or tramcar who is reasonably suspected by the driver, inspector or conductor thereof of contravening the regulations to give his name and address to the driver, inspector or conductor on demand;

(c)

requiring a passenger to declare, if so requested by the driver, inspector or conductor, the journey he intends to take or has taken in the vehicle, and to pay the fare for the whole of that journey and to accept any ticket provided therefor;

(d)

requiring, on demand being made for the purpose by the driver, inspector or conductor, production during the journey and surrender at the end of the journey by the holder thereof of any ticket issued to him;

(e)

requiring a passenger, if so requested by the driver, inspector or conductor, to leave the vehicle on the completion of the journey the fare for which he has paid;

(f)

requiring the surrender by the holder thereof on the expiry of the period for which it is issued of a ticket issued to him.

(2)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F137

(3)

Subject to section 68(1) of this Act, if a person contravenes, or fails to comply with, a provision of regulations having effect by virtue of this section, he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding F138level 3 on the standard scale.

(4)

In the application of this section to Scotland, subsection (1)(b) shall have effect as if after the word “address” there were inserted the words “to a police constable or”

26 Control of number of passengers.

(1)

Regulations may make provision with respect to public service vehicles for—

(a)

the determination by or under the regulations of the number of the seated passengers and standing passengers respectively for whom a vehicle is constructed or adapted and fit to carry;

(b)

the determination by or under the regulations of the number of such passengers respectively who may be carried in a vehicle;

(c)

the marks to be carried on a vehicle showing those numbers and the manner in which those marks are to be carried.

(2)

Subject to section 68(1) and (3) of this Act, if a person contravenes, or fails to comply with, a provision of regulations having effect by virtue of this section, he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding F139level 2 on the standard scale.

Supplementary provisions

F14027. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F141

29 Avoidance of contracts so far as restrictive of liability in respect of death of or injury to passengers in public service vehicles.

A contract for the conveyance of a passenger in a public service vehicle shall, so far as it purports to negative or to restrict the liability of a person in respect of a claim which may be made against him in respect of the death of, or bodily injury to, the passenger while being carried in, entering or alighting from the vehicle, or purports to impose any conditions with respect to the enforcement of any such liability, be void.

PART III

30–41. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F142

PART IV

42–45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F143

Fare-paying passengers on school buses

46 Fare-paying passengers on school buses.

(1)

Subject to subsection (2) below, a F144local authority may—

(a)

use a school bus, when it is being used to provide free school transport, to carry as fare-paying passengers persons other than those for whom the free school transport is provided;

(b)

use a school bus belonging to the authority, when it is not being used to provide free school transport, to provide a local . . . F145 service;

and sections 6, 8, 9, F146and 12(1) of this Act shall not apply to a school bus belonging to a F144local authority in the course of its use by the authority in accordance with this subsection.

(2)

Subsection (1) above does not affect the duties of a F144local authority in relation to the provision of free school transport or authorise a F144local authority to make any charge for the carriage of a pupil on a journey which he is required to make in the course of his education at a school maintained by such an authority.

(3)

In this section—

F147free school transport” means transport provided by a F144local authority free of charge—

(a)

in pursuance of arrangements under F148 section 508B(1), section 508C(1), section 508F(1), F149section 509(1) or (1A) or section 509AA(7)(b) or (9)(a) of the Education Act 1996,

(b)

F150in pursuance of arrangements made by the authority in pursuance of a scheme made by them under Schedule 35C to that Act (school travel schemes), F151or

(c)

F152in pursuance of arrangements under sections 3 or 4 of the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008, or

(d)

otherwise, in the exercise of any function of the authority,

for the purpose of facilitating the attendance of persons receiving education or training at any premises;

F153“local authority” has the meaning given by section 579(1) of the Education Act 1996; 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F154

school bus”, in relation to a F144local authority , means a motor vehicle which is used by that authority to provide free school transport.

(4)

In the application of this section to Scotland—

(a)

for the references to a F144local authority there shall be substituted references to an education authority;

(b)

in subsection (2) above for “maintained by” there shall be substituted “under the management of”; and

(c)

in subsection (3) above for the definition of “free school transport” there shall be substituted—

““free school transport” means transport between a pupil’s home and place of education provided in pursuance of arrangements under subsection (1)(a) of section 51 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 (pupils for whom such transport facilities are necessary) or in pursuance of subsection (2) of that section (other pupils allowed to use vacant seats free of charge)”.

47, 48.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F155

49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F156

F15749A Review of decisions.

(1)

Subject to subsection (2) below, a traffic commissioner may review and, if he thinks fit, vary or revoke any decision of his—

(a)

to grant or refuse an application for a PSV operator’s licence; or

(b)

to grant or refuse an application for the variation of a PSV operator’s licence,

if he is satisfied that a procedural requirement imposed by or under this Act has not been complied with in relation to the decision.

(2)

A traffic commissioner may only review a decision under subsection (1) above—

(a)

if, within such period after taking the decision as may be prescribed, he has given notice to the applicant or (as the case may be) the licence-holder that he intends to review the decision;

(b)

if, within that period, a person who appears to him to have an interest in the decision has requested him to review it; or

(c)

where neither paragraph (a) nor paragraph (b) above applies, if he considers there to be exceptional circumstances that justify the review.

(3)

Regulations may make provision as to the manner in which notices under subsection (2)(a) above are to be or may be served, including provision as to the circumstances in which and time at which any such notice is to be treated as having been duly served (whether or not it has in fact been served).

(4)

The variation or revocation of a decision under this section shall not make unlawful anything done in reliance on the decision before the variation or revocation takes effect.

PART V Miscellaneous and Supplementary

Appeals to the Secretary of State

F15950 Appeals to the F158Upper Tribunal.

(1)

An applicant for the grant of a PSV operator’s licence under this Act may appeal to the F160Upper Tribunal against any decision of the traffic commissioner—

(a)

to refuse to grant the licence in accordance with the application; or

(b)

to attach any condition to the licence otherwise than in accordance with the application.

F161(2)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)

Where an application for a PSV operator’s licence is granted under this Act and a person who duly made an objection to the grant under section 14A of this Act is aggrieved by the grant of the licence he may appeal to the F162Upper Tribunal.

(4)

The holder of a PSV operator’s licence may appeal to the F162Upper Tribunal against any decision of the traffic commissioner—

(a)

to refuse his application for the variation or removal of any condition attached to the licence F163or any undertaking recorded in it;

(b)

to vary any such condition, or to attach any new condition to the licence, otherwise than on his application; or

(c)

to revoke or suspend the licence F164... .

F165(4A)

A person who—

(a)

within the prescribed period has made an application for a review under section 49A of this Act; and

(b)

has been certified by the traffic commissioner as a person such as is mentioned in subsection (2)(b) of that section,

may appeal to the F162Upper Tribunal against the refusal of the application.

(5)

Where—

(a)

the holder of a PSV operator’s licence in respect of which an order or direction has been made or given under section 28 of the Transport Act 1985 (power to disqualify PSV operators); or

(b)

any person in respect of whom any such order or direction has been made or given;

is aggrieved by the order or direction he may appeal to the F162Upper Tribunal.

F166(5A)

A person aggrieved by the refusal of the prescribed testing authority to approve a vehicle as a type vehicle under section 10 of this Act or by the withdrawal by that authority under that section of such approval may appeal to the Secretary of State

(6)

The traffic commissioner—

(a)

making any such decision with respect to a licence as is mentioned in subsection (4)(b) or (c) above;

(b)

making any such order or giving any such direction as is mentioned in subsection (5) above;

may, if the holder of the licence or any such person as is mentioned in subsection (5)(b) above so requests, direct that his decision shall not have effect until the expiration of the period within which an appeal against it may be made to the F162Upper Tribunal and, if an appeal is made, until it is disposed of.

F167(6A)

A person aggrieved by the refusal of a certifying officer or public service vehicle examiner or by the refusal of an authorised inspector to remove a prohibition under section 9(1) of this Act may appeal to the Secretary of State.

(6B)

On any appeal under subsection (5A), (6) or (6A) above the Secretary of State shall cause an examination of the vehicle concerned to be made by an officer of the Secretary of State appointed by him for the purpose and shall make such determination on the basis of the examination as he thinks fit.

(7)

Where a traffic commissioner has given a direction under subsection (6) above he may withdraw it at any time.

(8)

If the traffic commissioner refuses to give a direction under subsection (6) above or withdraws such a direction, the person requesting it may apply for such a direction F168to the Upper Tribunal F169... .

(9)

This section does not apply in relation to conditions attached to a PSV operator’s licence under section 8 of the Transport Act 1985 (enforcement of traffic regulation conditions).

F17051 Appeals to the Secretary of State.

(1)

A person applying for—

(a)

a certificate of initial fitness under section 6 of this Act; or

(b)

a certificate under section 10 of this Act that a vehicle conforms to a type vehicle;

may appeal to the Secretary of State against the refusal of F171an examiner to issue such a certificate.

F172(2)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)

An appeal under this section must be made within the prescribed time and in the prescribed manner; and provision may be made by regulations as to the procedure to be followed in connection with such appeals.

(4)

On the determination of an appeal under this section, the Secretary of State may confirm, vary or reverse the decision appealed against, and may give such directions as he thinks fit to F173the examiner for giving effect to his decision; and it shall be the duty of F173the examiner to comply with any such directions.

52 Fees for grant of licences etc.

(1)

Such fees, payable at such times, and whether in one sum or by instalments, as may be prescribed shall be charged—

(a)

by the traffic F174commissioner for each traffic area in respect of—

(i)

applications for, and the grant of, PSV operators’ licences . . . F175;

F176(ia)

applications under section 16(6) of this Act and the grant of such applications;

(ib)

the continuation in force of PSV operators’ licences;

F177(ii)

applications for certificates of initial fitness under section 6 of this Act which are required by regulations to be made to the commissioners and the issue of certificates on such applications;

(iii)

the issue of operators’ discs under section 18 of this Act;

(iv)

applications for, and the issue of, certificates under section 21 of this Act as to repute, professional competence or financial standing; and

(v)

applications for, and the issue of, documents required in relation to public service vehicles registered in Great Britain while making journeys to or from places outside Great Britain or in relation to public service vehicles registered outside Great Britain;

F178(b)

by the traffic F174commissioner for each traffic area . . . F179in respect of—

(i)

applications for, and the issue of, licences to drive public service vehicles; and

(ii)

the provision by the traffic F174commissioner . . . F179 of facilities for a person to undergo a test of his competence as a driver in connection with an application by him for a licence to drive a public service vehicle, being a test which he is by virtue of regulations required to undergo in that connection.

(2)

F180A traffic commissioner . . . F181 may, if any fee or instalment of a fee due in respect thereof has not been paid, decline to proceed with—

(a)

any such application as is mentioned in subsection (1) above;

F182(b)

the grant of any PSV operator’s licence or of any application under section 16(6) of this Act;

(bb)

the issue of any certificate, disc or other document referred to in subsection (1) above; or

F183(c)

the provision of any such facilities as are mentioned in paragraph (b)(ii) of that subsection,

until the fee or instalment in question has been paid.

F184(2A)

If, in the case of any application for a PSV operator’s licence, any fee or instalment of a fee in respect of the application, the grant of the licence or the issue of operators’ discs under section 18(2) of this Act is not duly paid by the prescribed time—

(a)

the application shall be treated as withdrawn at that time;

(b)

any decision made on the application ceases to have effect at that time; and

(c)

any licence granted in pursuance of such a decision terminates at that time.

(2B)

If, in the case of any application under section 16(6) of this Act, any fee or instalment of a fee in respect of the application, the grant of the application or the issue of operators’ discs under section 18(2A) of this Act is not duly paid by the prescribed time—

(a)

the application shall be treated as withdrawn at that time;

(b)

any decision made on the application, and any variation effected in pursuance of such a decision, ceases to have effect at that time.

(2C)

If, in the case of any PSV operator’s licence, any fee or instalment of a fee in respect of—

(a)

the continuation in force of the licence; or

(b)

the issue of operators’ discs under section 18(2C) of this Act,

is not duly paid by the prescribed time, the licence terminates at that time.

(2D)

If any fee or instalment of a fee in respect of any operators’ discs that have been issued under section 18 of this Act is not duly paid by the prescribed time, the discs cease to have effect at that time.

(2E)

The traffic commissioner by whom a PSV operator’s licence was granted may, if he considers there to be exceptional circumstances that justify his doing so in any case where subsection (2A), (2B), (2C) or (2D) above has applied, direct that as from the time mentioned in that subsection its effect in that case be disregarded.

(2F)

Where the traffic commissioner has given a direction under subsection (2E) above in respect of a PSV operator’s licence in a case where subsection (2A) or (2C) above has applied, it shall not for the purposes of section 20(1) or (2) of this Act be regarded as having been practicable for the licence-holder to—

(a)

report any matter to the Secretary of State; or

(b)

give him notice of any alteration,

during the period beginning with the time mentioned in subsection (2A) or (2C) and ending when the direction came into force.

(3)

Any fees received by F185a traffic commissioner by virtue of this section . . . F186 shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund in such manner as the Treasury may direct.

(4)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F187

53 Payment of expenses.

(1)

There shall be paid in every year out of moneys provided by Parliament such sums as the Secretary of State may, with the consent of the Minister for the Civil Service, direct in respect of the salaries, remuneration, establishment charges, and other expenses of . . . F188 traffic commissioners, F189. . ., and any other officer or servant appointed by the Secretary of State for the purposes of Part I, F190or II . . . F191 of this Act, including any expenses incurred in connection with the employment of police officers as F189. . . vehicle examiners.

(2)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F192

Provisions relating to traffic commissioners etc.

F19354 Inquiries held by traffic commissioners.

(1)

A traffic commissioner may, at such places as appear to him to be convenient, hold such inquiries as he thinks fit in connection with the exercise of his functions.

(2)

Where, as respects the proposed exercise of his powers on any occasion, a traffic commissioner receives a request for an inquiry from two or more persons he may hold a single inquiry in response to those requests.

(3)

Subject to any provision made by regulations, any inquiry held under this section shall be public.

(4)

Where a traffic commissioner proposes to hold an inquiry for the purpose of considering any application or proposal, he shall publish notice of the inquiry in the prescribed manner.

(5)

Where a traffic commissioner holds an inquiry he may, in such circumstances as may be prescribed and subject to any provision made under subsection (6) below, make such order as he thinks fit as to the payment, by such party to the inquiry as he thinks fit, of costs incurred by him or by the Secretary of State in connection with the holding of the inquiry.

(6)

Regulations may make provision, in relation to orders under subsection (5) above, as to—

(a)

the method of calculating the amount of any costs incurred as mentioned in that subsection; and

(b)

the maximum amount which may be ordered to be paid under such an order.

(7)

Any amount so ordered to be paid by any person may be recoverable from him—

(a)

in England and Wales, as a debt due to the Crown; or

(b)

in Scotland, by the Secretary of State.

(8)

Information with respect to any particular trade or business which is given at any such inquiry while admission to the inquiry is restricted in accordance with regulations shall not be disclosed, so long as that trade or business continues to be carried on, except—

(a)

with the consent of the person for the time being carrying it on;

(b)

for the purpose of the discharge by any person of his functions under any enactment mentioned in subsection (9) below F194or under the 2009 Regulation; or

(c)

with a view to the institution of, or otherwise for the purposes of, any legal proceedings pursuant to or arising out of any such enactment F195or the 2009 Regulation (including proceedings before the F196Upper Tribunal);

and any person who discloses any information in contravention of this subsection shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

(9)

The enactments referred to in subsection (8)(b) and (c) above are—

(a)

sections 12 to 21 of this Act; and

(b)

sections 24 to 28 of the Transport Act 1985.

(10)

The Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument amend subsection (9) above by adding a reference to an enactment or by removing any such reference; and any statutory instrument made in exercise of the power conferred by this subsection shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

55 Annual report of traffic commissioners and metropolitan police commissioner.

The traffic F197commissioner for each traffic area shall make an annual report to the Secretary of State on F197his proceedings containing particulars with respect to such matters as the Secretary of State may direct . . . F198.

56 Records of licences.

(1)

The traffic F199commissioner for each traffic area . . . F200 shall keep a record in such form and containing such particulars as may be prescribed of all licences granted by . . . F201 him under this Act F202and shall allow the record to be inspected at all reasonable times by members of the public.

(2)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F203

(3)

A record kept under this section shall be admissible in evidence of the matters required under this Act to be entered therein, and a copy of an entry made in such a record in pursuance of this section purporting to be signed by or on behalf of the authority by whom the record is kept and to be certified to be a true copy shall be evidence of the matters stated in that entry without proof of the signature or authority of the person signing the same.

F20456A Correction of errors.

Where it appears to the traffic commissioner for a traffic area that a document purporting to record, or issued in consequence of, a decision taken in the exercise of his functions contains a clerical error, he may issue a corrected document or a notice in writing that the document is to have effect with such corrections as are stated in the notice.

Supplementary provisions as to licences etc.

57 Death, bankruptcy etc. of licence holder.

(1)

A PSV operator’s licence F205... is not assignable or, subject to the following provisions of this section, transmissible on death or in any other way.

(2)

A PSV operator’s licence F205... held by an individual terminates if he—

(a)

dies, or

(b)

is adjudged bankrupt or F206has a debt relief order (under Part 7A of the Insolvency Act 1986) made in respect of him, or, in Scotland, has his estate sequestrated, or

(c)

F207becomes a person who lacks capacity (within the meaning of the Mental Capacity Act 2005) to use a vehicle under the licence, or, in Scotland, becomes incapable of managing his own affairs.

(3)

In relation to a PSV operator’s licence F205... held by an individual or by a company, regulations may specify other events relating to the licence-holder on the occurrence of which the licence is to terminate.

(4)

The traffic F208commissioner by whom a PSV operator’s licence F205... was granted may—

(a)

direct that the termination of the licence by subsection (2) above, or under subsection (3) above, be deferred for a period not exceeding twelve months or, if it appears to the F208commissioner that there are special circumstances, eighteen months, and

(b)

authorise the business of the licence-holder to be carried on under the licence by some other person during the period of deferment, subject to such conditions as the F208commissioner may impose.

F209(5)

In the case of a standard licence, subsection (4)(a) is subject to Article 13.1 of the 2009 Regulation (time limits for rectification).

58 Partnerships and related matters.

(1)

Provision may be made by regulations for modifying the provisions of this Act, and any other statutory provisions relating to public service vehicles, in their application to the operation of vehicles and the provision of services by persons in partnership.

(2)

A PSV operator’s licence . . . F210 shall not be granted to an unincorporated body as such or to more than one person jointly except in cases permitted by regulations under this section.

Regulations

59 Power to make regulations as to procedure on applications for licences.

Subject to the provisions of this Act, provision may be made by regulations as to the procedure on—

(a)

applications for the grant of PSV operator’s licences, . . . F211F212or licences to drive public service vehicles,

(b)

applications or proposals for the variation of conditions attached to PSV operators’ licences . . . F213,

(c)

the determination of questions in connection with the grant, suspension and revocation of such licences as are mentioned in paragraph (a) and in connection with any such variation as is mentioned in paragraph (b), and

(d)

the surrender of licences,

and those regulations may make provision as to the particulars to be furnished and the persons to whom notices are to be given, the manner in which notices are to be published or served, and the manner in which objections or other representations with respect to the determination of such questions as are mentioned in paragraph (c) may be made.

60 General power to make regulations for purposes of Act.

(1)

The Secretary of State may make regulations . . . F214 for the purpose of carrying this Act into effect, and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions, may make regulations with respect to any of the following matters—

(a)

the forms to be used for the purpose of this Act;

(b)

applications for and issue of licences and of certificates of initial fitness;

(c)

the issue of copies of licences and certificates in the case of licences or certificates lost or destroyed;

(d)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F215

F216(e)

the fees to be payable under this Act, the persons liable to pay them, and the repayment (or partial repayment), in prescribed circumstances, of fees paid under this Act;

(f)

the documents, plates and marks to be carried by F217, and the information to be displayed in or on public service vehicles and the manner in which they are to be carried F218or it is to be displayed;

(g)

the badges to be worn by drivers of public service vehicles;

(h)

the custody, production and cancellation on revocation or expiration of licences and certificates of initial fitness, and the return to F219traffic commissioners . . . F220, of licences which have become void, or have been revoked, and as to the custody, production and return of badges and plates;

(j)

the carriage of luggage and goods on public service vehicles[F221or tramcars];

(k)

the safe custody and re-delivery or disposal of any property accidentally left in a public service vehicle[F222or tramcar] and fixing the charges made in respect thereof;

(l)

the equipment to be carried by public service vehicles;

(m)

for providing that this Act or, any provision thereof, shall have effect in relation to—

(i)

public service vehicles registered in Great Britain, while making journeys to or from destinations outside Great Britain; and

(ii)

public service vehicles registered outside Great Britain,

with such additions, omissions, alterations or other modifications (whether conditional or not) as may be prescribed;

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F223

F224(1A)

Regulations made under any provision of this Act may make different provision for different cases to which the regulations apply, and may in particular—

(a)

make different provision as respects different areas; and

(b)

make different provision as respects different classes or descriptions of vehicles or as respects the same class or description of vehicles in different circumstances.

F225(1B)

Regulations made under any provision of this Act and applying to tramcars may amend or exclude any provision of an Act or instrument of local application whose subject-matter is the same as that of the regulations.

(2)

In this Act “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations and “regulations” means regulations made F226by the Secretary of State.

(3)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F227

61 Exercise of regulation making powers and parliamentary control thereof.

(1)

Any power conferred by this Act upon the Secretary of State to make regulations shall be exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(2)

Before making any regulations under . . . F228 this Act the Secretary of State shall consult with such representative organisations as he thinks fit.

Provisions relating to Metropolitan Traffic Area

62. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F229

63. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F230

64 Exclusion of certain enactments as respects Metropolitan Traffic Area.

(1)

As respects the Metropolitan Traffic Area, the M2Metropolitan Public Carriage Act 1869 and the M3London Cab and Stage Carriage Act 1907 shall not apply to a public service vehicle or to the driver or conductor thereof.

(2)

As respects the Metropolitan Traffic Area, no local authority shall exercise under the M4Town Police Clauses Act 1847 any powers with respect to public service vehicles or the licensing thereof or of their drivers or conductors.

Inquiries

F26576 General power to hold inquiries.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F26677 General provisions as to inquiries.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Supplementary provisions

78 Power of Minister to modify or revoke restrictions in local Acts.

Where the running of public service vehicles is restricted or prohibited by any provision contained in—

(a)

a local Act (including an Act confirming a provisional order) passed before the commencement of subsection (2) of section 43 of the M6Transport Act 1980; or

(b)

an instrument made before the commencement of that subsection under any such local Act,

the Secretary of State may, on the application of any person affected by the restriction or prohibition, by order made by statutory instrument modify or revoke the restriction or prohibition.

79 Vehicles excluded from regulation as private hire vehicles.

At any time when a vehicle would apart from section F2671(4)of this Act be a public service vehicle, it shall continue to be treated as such for the purposes only of provisions contained in a local Act, in F268sections 10 to 23 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982F269, in the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 or in Part II of the M7Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, which regulate the use of private hire vehicles provided for hire with the services of a driver for the purpose of carrying passengers and exclude public service vehicles from the scope of that regulation.

F27079A Small PSVs subject to regulation as private hire vehicles.

(1)

If a small bus is being provided for hire with the services of a driver for the purpose of carrying passengers otherwise than at separate fares, it is not to be regarded as a public service vehicle for the purpose of—

(a)

Part II of the M8Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, or

(b)

any local Act applying in any area in England and Wales which regulates the use of private hire vehicles provided for hire with the services of a driver for the purpose of carrying passengers and excludes public service vehicles from the scope of that regulation.

(2)

If a small bus is being made available with a driver to the public for hire for the purpose of carrying passengers otherwise than at separate fares, it is not to be regarded as a public service vehicle for the purpose of the M9Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998.

(3)

But subsection (1) or (2) does not apply where the vehicle is being so provided or made available in the course of a business of carrying passengers by motor vehicles all but a small part of which involves the operation of large buses.

(4)

In this section—

small bus” means a public service vehicle within paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section 1 of this Act; and

large buses” means public service vehicles within paragraph (a) of that subsection.

80 Construction of references to traffic areas.

(1)

References in this Act to a traffic area constituted for the purposes thereof by a particular designation are references to the area described by that designation F271in article 4 of, and Schedule 1 to, the Traffic Areas (Reorganisation) Order 1990.

(2)

Subsection (1) above has effect subject to the powers of the Secretary of State under section 3 of this Act to vary the provisions of this Act constituting traffic areas; . . . F272

(3), (4)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F273

81 Interpretation of references to the operator of a vehicle or service.

(1)

For the purposes of this Act—

(a)

regulations may make provision as to the person who is to be regarded as the operator of a vehicle which is made available by one holder of a PSV operator’s licence to another under a hiring arrangement; and

(b)

where regulations under paragraph (a) above do not apply, the operator of a vehicle is—

(i)

the driver, if he owns the vehicle; and

(ii)

in any other case, the person for whom the driver works (whether under a contract of employment or any other description of contract personally to do work).

(2)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F274

82 General interpretation provisions.

(1)

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—

certificate of initial fitness” has the meaning given by section 6.

F275. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F276. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

company” means a body corporate;

F277. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

contravention”, in relation to any condition or provision includes a failure to comply with the condition or provision, and “contravene” shall be construed accordingly;

director”, in relation to a company, includes any person who occupies the position of a director, by whatever name called;

“driver”, where a separate person acts as steersman of a motor vehicle, includes that person as well as any other person engaged in the driving of the vehicle, and “drive” shall be construed accordingly;

F277. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F277. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

fares” include sums payable in respect of a contract ticket or a season ticket;

international operation” means a passenger transport operation starting or terminating in the United Kingdom and involving an international journey by the vehicle concerned, whether or not any driver leaves or enters the United Kingdom with that vehicle;

local authority” means—

(a)

in relation to England and Wales, any local authority within the meaning of the M10Local Government Act 1972;

(b)

in relation to Scotland, a F278council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994;

F279local service” has the same meaning as in the Transport Act 1985;

magistrates’ courtF280has the same meaning as in the M11Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980;

modification” includes addition, omission and alteration, and related expressions shall be construed accordingly;

motor vehicle” means a mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on roads;

national operation” means a passenger transport operation wholly within the United Kingdom;

official PSV testing station” has the meaning given by section 8(3);

operating centre”, in relation to a vehicle, means the base or centre at which the vehicle is normally kept;

operator” has the meaning given by section 81;

owner”, in relation to a vehicle which is the subject of an agreement for hire, hire-purchase, conditional sale or loan, means the person in possession of the vehicle under that agreement, and references to owning a vehicle shall be construed accordingly;

prescribed” has the meaning given by section 60(2);

F281prescribed testing authority” means such person authorised by the Secretary of State under section 8 of the Transport Act 1982 to carry on a vehicle testing business within the meaning of Part II of that Act as may be prescribed

PSV operator’s licence” means a PSV operator’s licence granted under the provisions of Part II of this Act;

public service vehicle” has the meaning given by section 1;

F282“the 2009 Regulation” means Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishing common rules concerning the conditions to be complied with to pursue the occupation of road transport operator and repealing Council Directive 96/26/EC;

Regulation (EC) 1073/2009” means Regulation (EC) No 1073/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 on common rules for access to the international market for coach and bus services, and amending Regulation (EC) No 561/2006;

relevant conviction” means a conviction (other than a spent conviction) of any offence prescribed for the purposes of this Act, or an offence under the law of Northern Ireland, or of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom, corresponding to an offence so prescribed;

restricted licence” means such a PSV operator’s licence as is mentioned in section 13(3);

road” means any highway and any other road to which the public has access, and includes bridges over which a road passes F283except that in Scotland it has the same meaning as in the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984;

F284. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F285. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

standard licence” means a PSV operator’s licence which is not a restricted licence;

statutory provision” means a provision contained in an Act or in subordinate legislation within the meaning of the M12Interpretation Act 1978;

F286traffic commissioner” means the person appointed to be the commissioner for a traffic area constituted for the purposes of this Act;

tramcar” includes any carriage used on any road by virtue of an order made under the M13Light Railways Act 1896;

F287“transport manager” has the same meaning as in the 2009 Regulation;

F288. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F289(1A)

References in any provision of this Act to an authorised inspector are references to an authorised inspector under section 8 of the Transport Act 1982 and, where the function to which that provision relates is one of those specified in section 9 of that Act (testing and surveillance functions), are limited to an authorised inspector authorised under section 8 to exercise that function.

(2)

Any reference in this Act to F290an EU instrument or to a particular provision of such an instrument—

(a)

is a reference to that instrument or provision as amended from time to time, and

(b)

if that instrument or provision is replaced, with or without modification, shall be construed as a reference to the instrument or provision replacing it.

F291(3)

In this Act—

(a)

any reference to a county shall be construed in relation to Wales as including a reference to a county borough;

(b)

any reference to a county council shall be construed in relation to Wales as including a reference to a county borough council; and

(c)

section 17(4) and (5) of the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 (references to counties and districts to be construed generally in relation to Wales as references to counties and county boroughs) shall not apply.

83 Construction of references in other Acts etc. to public service vehicles, licensing authorities etc.

(1)

A provision of an Act other than this Act or of an instrument having effect under an enactment not repealed by this Act which (however expressed) defines “public service vehicle”, . . . F292 by reference to the M14Road Traffic Act 1930 or the M15Road Traffic Act 1960 shall have effect as if it provided that that expression should be construed in like manner as if it were contained in this Act.

(2)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F293

84 Protection of public interests.

(1)

It is hereby declared that nothing in this Act is to be treated as conferring on the holder of a licence granted thereunder any right to the continuance of any benefits arising from, or from a licence granted under, this Act, or from any conditions attached to any such licence.

(2)

In the event of an undertaking by which a service of public service vehicles is provided being purchased compulsorily by a local or public authority, that part of the value of the undertaking attributable directly or indirectly to this Act shall not be taken into account.

85 Saving for law of nuisance.

Nothing in this Act shall authorise a person to use on a road a vehicle so constructed or used as to cause a public or private nuisance, or in Scotland a nuisance, or affect the liability, whether under statute or common law, of the driver or owner so using such a vehicle.

86 Saving for sections 16 and 17 of the Interpretation Act 1978.

The inclusion in this Act of any express saving or amendment shall not be taken as prejudicing the operation of section 16 or 17 of the M16Interpretation Act 1978 (which relate to the effect of repeals).

87 Power of Secretary of State to repeal section 10 of this Act.

The Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument repeal section 10 of this Act from such day as may be specified in the order, and any such order may include provision, to take effect on that day, for the repeal of sections 6(1)(b), F29451(1)(b), 65(1)(c) and 66(c) of this Act.

88 Transitional provisions, consequential amendments and repeals.

(1)

This Act shall have effect subject to the transitional provisions set out in Schedule 6 to this Act.

X1(2)

The enactments specified in Schedule 7 to this Act shall have effect subject to the amendments specified in that Schedule, being amendments consequential on the provisions of this Act.

X1(3)

The enactments specified in Schedule 8 to this Act are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.

Annotations:
Editorial Information

X1The text of s. 88(2)(3) is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

89 Short title, commencement and extent.

(1)

This Act may be cited as the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981.

(2)

This Act shall come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument appoint.

F295(3)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)

This Act does not extend to Northern Ireland.

SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 1 Public Service Vehicles: Conditions Affecting Status or Classification

Sections 1 and 2.

Part I Sharing of Taxis and Hire-Cars

1

The making of the agreement for the payment of separate fares must not have been initiated by the driver or by the owner of the vehicle, by any person who has made the vehicle available under any arrangement, or by any person who receives any remuneration in respect of the arrangements for the journey.

2

(1)

The journey must be made without previous advertisement to the public of facilities for its being made by passengers to be carried at separate fares, except where the local authorities concerned have approved the arrangements under which the journey is made as designed to meet the social and welfare needs of one or more communities, and their approvals remain in force.

(2)

In relation to a journey the local authorities concerned for the purposes of this paragraph are those in whose area any part of the journey is to be made; and in this sub-paragraph “local authority” means—

(a)

in relation to England and Wales, F296the council of a county, metropolitan district or London borough and the Common Council of the City of London;

(b)

in relation to Scotland, a F297council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994.

3

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F298

Part II

4

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F299

Part III Alternative Conditions Affecting Status or Classification

5

Arrangements for the bringing together of all the passengers for the purpose of making the journey must have been made otherwise than by, or by a person acting on behalf of—

(a)

the holder of the PSV operator’s licence under which the vehicle is to be used, if such a licence is in force.

(b)

the driver or the owner of the vehicle or any person who has made the vehicle available under any arrangement, if no such licence is in force,

and otherwise than by any person who receives any remuneration in respect of the arrangements.

6

The journey must be made without previous advertisement to the public of the arrangements therefor.

7

All passengers must, in the case of a journey to a particular destination, be carried to, or to the vicinity of, that destination, or, in the case of a tour, be carried for the greater part of the journey.

8

No differentiation of fares for the journey on the basis of distance or of time must be made.

Part IV Supplementary

9

For the purposes of paragraphs 2 and 6 above no account shall be taken of any such advertisement as follows, that is to say—

(a)

a notice displayed or announcement made—

(i)

at or in any place of worship for the information of persons attending that place of worship;

(ii)

at or in any place of work for the information of persons who work there; or

(iii)

by any club or other voluntary association at or in any premises occupied or used by the club or association;

(b)

a notice contained in any periodical published for the information of, and circulating wholly or mainly among—

(i)

persons who attend or might reasonably be expected to attend a particular place of worship or a place of worship in a particular place; or

(ii)

persons who work at a particular place of work or at any of two or more particular places of work; or

(iii)

the members of a club or other voluntary association.

F300SCHEDULE 2 Traffic Commissioners

Terms of service of traffic commissioners

1

The Secretary of State may remove a traffic commissioner from his office for inability or misbehaviour.

2

If a traffic commissioner acquires a financial interest in a transport undertaking which carries passengers or goods by road within Great Britain he shall, within four weeks after so doing, give notice of that acquisition in writing to the Secretary of State specifying the interest so acquired and the Secretary of State, after taking the matter into consideration, may if he thinks fit declare that the traffic commissioner has vacated his office.

Appointment and terms of office of deputies to traffic commissioners

3

In the case of illness, incapacity or absence of a traffic commissioner, the Secretary of State may appoint some other person to act as his deputy.

4

If the Secretary of State considers that the duties to be performed by a traffic commissioner, or any deputy appointed under paragraph 3 above to the traffic commissioner, cannot conveniently or efficiently be performed by one person, the Secretary of State may appoint one or more persons to act as deputy to the traffic commissioner.

5

A person appointed under paragraph 4 above shall be appointed upon such terms and conditions, including conditions as to the time which he is to devote to the duties of his office, as the Secretary of State may determine, and shall act for the traffic commissioner whose deputy he is in such matters as the traffic commissioner, or any deputy appointed by reason of the traffic commissioner’s illness, incapacity or absence, may from time to time direct or as the Secretary of State may from time to time by general directions require, and for that purpose shall exercise and perform all the powers and duties of the traffic commissioner.

6

(1)

Where the office of traffic commissioner for any traffic area becomes vacant the Secretary of State may, pending the appointment of a new traffic commissioner for that area under section 4 of this Act, appoint a person (whether or not over the age of sixty-five) under this paragraph to act as traffic commissioner for that area for a limited period.

(2)

Any person appointed under sub-paragraph (1) above shall—

(a)

hold office for such period as the Secretary of State specifies when making the appointment; and

(b)

during that period be treated for all purposes (except those of paragraph 9 below) as the traffic commissioner for the traffic area in question.

Staff of traffic commissioners

7

Subject to the approval of the Treasury, the Secretary of State may appoint such persons to act as officers and servants of a traffic commissioner as he considers appropriate.

Remuneration and pensions

8

F301(1)

There shall be paid to a traffic commissioner and deputy traffic commissioner, and to the persons acting as officers or servants of a traffic commissioner, such remuneration and allowances as may be determined by the Secretary of State with the consent of the Treasury.

F302(2)

There shall be paid to the senior traffic commissioner such additional remuneration in respect of the responsibilities of that office as may be so determined.

9

The principal civil service pension scheme (within the meaning of section 2 of the Superannuation Act M171972) which is for the time being in force shall apply to persons holding the office of traffic commissioner for each of the traffic areas.

F303SCHEDULE 2ADetention of certain PSVs used without PSV operators' licences

Interpretation

1

(1)

In this Schedule—

authorised person” means—

(a)

an examiner appointed by the Secretary of State under section 66A of the Road Traffic Act 1988, or

(b)

a person acting under the direction of such an examiner;

contents”, in relation to a vehicle, means any goods carried by that vehicle which are not personal effects;

immobilisation device” means any device or appliance which is an immobilisation device for the purposes of section 104 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984;

nominated custodian” is to be construed in accordance with paragraph 6(1) below;

operator”, in relation to a public service vehicle, means—

(a)

the driver, if he owns the vehicle, or

(b)

in any other case, the person for whom the driver works (whether under a contract of employment or any other description of contract personally to do the work),

but this is subject to any regulations that may be made under sub-paragraph (2)(a) below;

personal effects” means—

(a)

any personal effects of any individual, and

(b)

any articles being carried by a vehicle for the purpose of their delivery from one person to another.

(2)

Regulations may make provision for any purpose of this Schedule or regulations under it as to—

(a)

the person who is to be regarded as the “operator” of a public service vehicle in such circumstances as may be specified or described in the regulations;

(b)

the meaning of “owner” as regards a public service vehicle.

(3)

Regulations made by virtue of sub-paragraph (2)(b) above may, in particular, provide that the owner of a motor vehicle at a particular time is to be taken to be any person in whose name the vehicle is then registered by virtue of the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994.

Detention of property

2

(1)

Regulations may provide that where an authorised person has reason to believe that a public service vehicle adapted to carry more than 8 passengers is being, or has been, used on a road in contravention of section 12(1) of this Act, the person may detain the vehicle and its contents.

(2)

Regulations made by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) above may not authorise a person other than a constable in uniform to stop a vehicle on any road.

The vehicle and any other property detained, the passengers, and any personal effects

3

(1)

Regulations may, in connection with the detaining of a vehicle by virtue of paragraph 2 above, make provision with respect to any of the following—

(a)

the vehicle;

(b)

any other property detained or to be detained by virtue of paragraph 2 above;

(c)

any passengers who have been travelling on the vehicle;

(d)

any personal effects remaining on the vehicle.

(2)

Regulations under this paragraph must include provision requiring passengers who have been travelling on the vehicle to be transported in safety to their destination or to a suitable place from which to continue their journey.

Immobilisation of vehicle

4

(1)

Regulations may provide that, before a vehicle is removed by virtue of paragraph 6 below, an authorised person may—

(a)

fix an immobilisation device to the vehicle in the place where the vehicle has been detained, or

(b)

move the vehicle, or require it to be moved, to a more convenient place and fix an immobilisation device to the vehicle in that other place.

(2)

Regulations may also provide—

(a)

that, on any occasion when an immobilisation device is fixed to a vehicle, the person fixing the device must also fix to the vehicle an immobilisation notice (see sub-paragraph (3) below);

(b)

that a vehicle to which an immobilisation device has been fixed may only be released from the device by or under the direction of an authorised person; and

(c)

that an immobilisation notice must not be removed or interfered with except by or on the authority of an authorised person.

(3)

In this paragraph “immobilisation notice” means a notice—

(a)

indicating that an immobilisation device has been fixed to the vehicle,

(b)

warning that no attempt should be made to drive the vehicle or otherwise put it in motion, and

(c)

giving such other information as may be prescribed.

Offences relating to immobilisation

5

(1)

Regulations may provide that a person—

(a)

who removes or attempts to remove an immobilisation device fixed to a vehicle under regulations made by virtue of paragraph 4(1) above, but

(b)

who is not authorised to do so in accordance with paragraph 4(2)(b) above,

is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(2)

Regulations may provide that a person who removes or interferes with an immobilisation notice in contravention of regulations made by virtue of paragraph 4(2)(c) above is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.

Removal and delivery of property into custody of nominated custodian

6

(1)

Regulations may make provision for an authorised person to direct that any property—

(a)

detained by virtue of paragraph 2 above, or

(b)

consisting of personal effects remaining on a vehicle so detained,

be removed and delivered into the custody of a person (the “nominated custodian”) specified in the direction.

(2)

Regulations may provide that the nominated custodian must be a person who—

(a)

is identified in accordance with prescribed rules,

(b)

has made arrangements with the Secretary of State, and

(c)

has agreed to accept delivery of the property in accordance with those arrangements.

(3)

Arrangements falling within sub-paragraph (2) above may include provision for the payment of a sum to a person into whose custody any property is delivered.

(4)

Regulations may also provide that an authorised person who has given a direction by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) above in respect of a vehicle may allow the driver of the vehicle to deliver persons or property falling within sub-paragraph (5) below to their destination or some other suitable place, before delivering the vehicle into the custody of the nominated custodian.

(5)

The persons and property are—

(a)

any passengers who have been travelling on the vehicle,

(b)

any contents of the vehicle,

(c)

any personal effects remaining on the vehicle.

Informing persons that their property has been detained etc

7

(1)

This paragraph applies in relation to any property—

(a)

which is detained by virtue of paragraph 2 above, or

(b)

which consists of personal effects that remained on a vehicle so detained.

(2)

Regulations may make provision for informing persons who may be entitled to any such property that it has been so detained or, as the case may be, that it remained on a vehicle so detained.

(3)

The provision that may be made by virtue of sub-paragraph (2) above includes provision requiring—

(a)

the publication by an authorised person of such notices as may be prescribed, and

(b)

the giving of notice by an authorised person to such persons as may be prescribed.

Return of vehicle

8

Regulations may make provision authorising a vehicle detained by virtue of paragraph 2 above to be returned to the owner, in prescribed circumstances, without the need for any application under paragraph 9 below.

Application to traffic commissioner for return of vehicle

9

(1)

Regulations must make provision enabling the owner of a vehicle which has been detained by virtue of paragraph 2 above to apply to the traffic commissioner for the area in which the vehicle was detained for the return of the vehicle.

(2)

Regulations may, in particular,—

(a)

require notice of an application to be given to the traffic commissioner within such period as may be determined in accordance with the regulations;

(b)

require notice of an application to be made in such form as may be prescribed.

(3)

Regulations must prescribe the grounds upon which the owner may apply for the return of the vehicle.

(4)

The grounds prescribed under sub-paragraph (3) above must include each of the following—

(a)

that, at the time the vehicle was detained, the person using the vehicle held a PSV operator's licence (whether or not authorising the use of the vehicle);

(b)

that, at the time the vehicle was detained, the vehicle was not being, and had not been, used in contravention of section 12(1) of this Act;

(c)

that, although at the time the vehicle was detained it was being, or had been, used in contravention of section 12(1) of this Act, the owner did not know that it was being, or had been, so used;

(d)

that, although knowing at the time the vehicle was detained that it was being, or had been, used in contravention of section 12(1) of this Act, the owner—

(i)

had taken steps with a view to preventing that use, and

(ii)

has taken steps with a view to preventing any further such use.

Hearings by traffic commissioner

10

(1)

Regulations must make provision—

(a)

enabling the traffic commissioner to hold a hearing before determining an application by virtue of paragraph 9 above;

(b)

requiring the traffic commissioner to hold a hearing, if requested by a person who claims to be the owner;

(c)

as to the time within which the hearing must be held; and

(d)

subject to such provision as may be made by the regulations, for the hearing to be held in public.

(2)

Regulations must also provide that, if no hearing is held, the traffic commissioner must determine the application within a prescribed time after receiving notice of the application.

Consequences of the traffic commissioner's determination

11

Regulations must provide that—

(a)

if the traffic commissioner determines that one of the grounds prescribed by virtue of paragraph 9(3) above is made out, the traffic commissioner must order the nominated custodian to return the vehicle to the owner; and

(b)

if the traffic commissioner determines that none of those grounds is made out, the vehicle may be sold or destroyed by the nominated custodian, in such manner as may be prescribed.

Appeal to F158Upper Tribunal from traffic commissioner

12

(1)

Regulations must provide for an appeal to the F304Upper Tribunal against the determination of the traffic commissioner.

F305(2)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sale or destruction of vehicle where no application made under paragraph 9

13

Regulations may provide that, if no application is made to the traffic commissioner in accordance with regulations made by virtue of paragraph 9 above, any vehicle detained by virtue of paragraph 2 above may be sold or destroyed in such manner as may be prescribed.

Return or disposal of contents and personal effects

14

(1)

Regulations may provide that the nominated custodian may retain custody of any property falling within sub-paragraph (2) below until—

(a)

the property is returned, in accordance with the regulations, to a person who establishes entitlement to it; or

(b)

the property is sold or destroyed by the nominated custodian in such manner as may be prescribed.

(2)

The property is—

(a)

any property detained by virtue of paragraph 2 above;

(b)

any personal effects that remained on the vehicle so detained.

(3)

Regulations may also make provision as to—

(a)

the period within which a person who claims to be entitled to the property may make a claim for its return;

(b)

the requirements to be satisfied by a person who claims to be entitled to the property (including requirements as to the person's entitlement); and

(c)

the manner in which entitlement is to be determined where there is more than one claim to the property.

(4)

The nominated custodian may not sell or destroy any property unless—

(a)

such steps as may be required by regulations made by virtue of paragraph 7(2) above have been taken and no person has, before the expiry of the period referred to in sub-paragraph (3)(a) above, established an entitlement to the property; or

(b)

the condition of the property requires it to be disposed of without delay.

Custody of property

15

(1)

Regulations must provide that while any property is in the custody of a nominated custodian, it is the duty of the nominated custodian to take such steps as are necessary for the safe custody of that property.

(2)

Any such provision is subject to the powers of the nominated custodian to sell or destroy property by virtue of this Schedule.

Proceeds of sale

16

(1)

Regulations must provide for the proceeds of sale of any property sold under regulations made by virtue of paragraph 11(b), 13 or 14(1)(b) above—

(a)

to be applied towards meeting expenses incurred by any authorised person in exercising functions by virtue of this Schedule; and

(b)

in so far as they are not so applied, to be applied in such other manner as may be prescribed.

(2)

Regulations may in particular provide for a sum determined in accordance with the regulations to be paid to a person if—

(a)

the person claims, after the sale of property under regulations made by virtue of paragraph 11(b), 13 or 14(1)(b) above, to be or to have been its owner;

(b)

the claim is made within a prescribed time of the sale; and

(c)

any other prescribed conditions are fulfilled.

Disputes

17

(1)

Regulations may make provision about the proceedings to be followed where a dispute occurs as a result of regulations made by virtue of paragraph 14 or 16 above.

(2)

The provision that may be made by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) above includes provision—

(a)

for an application to be made to a magistrates' court or, in the case of an application made in Scotland, the sheriff;

(b)

for a court or the sheriff to order a sum to be paid by the Secretary of State.

(3)

Any application made to the sheriff in accordance with regulations made by virtue of sub-paragraph (2)(a) above must be made by way of summary application.

Obstruction of authorised person

18

Regulations may provide that a person who intentionally obstructs an authorised person in the exercise of the powers of such a person under regulations made by virtue of this Schedule is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

Offences as to securing possession of property

19

(1)

Regulations may provide that a person is guilty of an offence if—

(a)

the person makes a declaration with a view to securing the return of a vehicle under regulations made by virtue of paragraph 11 above;

(b)

the declaration is that the vehicle was not being, or had not been, used in contravention of section 12(1) of this Act; and

(c)

the declaration is, to the person's knowledge, either false or in any material respect misleading.

(2)

Regulations may provide that a person guilty of such an offence is liable—

(a)

on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum; and

(b)

on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine or to both.

SCHEDULE 3 Supplementary Provision as to Qualifications for PSV Operator’s Licence

Section F30614ZA,14ZB and 17(6).

Good repute

1

(1)

In determining whether an individual is of good repute, F307a traffic commissioner shall have regard to all the relevant evidence and in particular to—

(a)

relevant convictions of his and of his employees and agents;

F308(aa)

relevant fixed penalty notices issued to him and to his employees and agents; and

(b)

such other information as the F309commissioner may have as to his previous conduct, in whatever capacity, in relation to the operation of vehicles of any description in the course of a business.

(2)

In determining whether a company is of good repute, F307a traffic commissioner shall have regard to all the relevant evidence and in particular to—

(a)

relevant convictions of the company and its officers, employees and agents;

F310(aa)

relevant fixed penalty notices issued to the company's officers, employees and agents; and

(b)

such other information as the F309commissioner may have as to previous conduct of—

(i)

the company’s officers, employees and agents in relation to the operation of vehicles of any description in the course of any business carried on by the company; and

(ii)

each of the company’s directors, in whatever capacity, in relation to the operation of vehicles of any description in the course of any other business.

F311(2A)

In sub-paragraphs (1)(aa) and (2)(aa) above “relevant fixed penalty notice” means a fixed penalty notice or conditional offer issued under Part 3 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 in respect of an offence prescribed for the purposes of this Act.

F312(3)

A traffic commissioner shall determine that an individual is not of good repute if he has—

(a)

more than one conviction of a serious offence; or

(b)

been convicted of road transport offences.

F313(4)

For the purposes of sub-paragraph (3)(a) above a serious offence is—

(a)

an offence under the law in force in any part of the United Kingdom for which a sentence of imprisonment for a term exceeding three months, a fine exceeding level 4 on the standard F314scale, a F315community order requiring the offender to perform unpaid work for more than sixty hours F316or a community payback order requiring the offender to undertake unpaid work, or unpaid work and other activity, for more than sixty hours was imposed; and

(b)

any corresponding offence under the law of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom for which a corresponding punishment was imposed.

F317(5)

For the purposes of sub-paragraph (3)(b) above a road transport offence is—

(a)

an offence under the law of any part of the United Kingdom relating to road transport including in particular—

(i)

an offence relating to drivers’ hours of work or rest periods, the weights or dimensions of commercial vehicles, road or vehicle safety or the protection of the environment; and

(ii)

any other offence concerning professional liability; or

(b)

any corresponding offence under the law of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom.

(6)

In sub-paragraph (4)(a) above “a sentence of imprisonment” includes any form of custodial sentence or order other than one under the enactments relating to mental F318health, “a community order” F319means an order under section 177 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, a community punishment order made before the commencement of that section or a community service order under the Community Service by Offenders (Scotland) Act 1978 F320 or a service community order or overseas community order under the Armed Forces Act 2006 F321and “a community payback order” means a community payback order under section 227A or 227M of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 imposing an unpaid work or other activity requirement.

F313(7)

In sub-paragraphs (4)(a) and (5)(a) above references to an offence under the law in force in any part of the United Kingdom include a reference to F322an offence under section 42 of the Armed Forces Act 2006.

F313(8)

For the purposes of sub-paragraph (3) above spent convictions shall be disregarded; and a traffic commissioner may also disregard an offence if such time as he considers appropriate has elapsed since the date of the conviction.

F313(9)

Sub-paragraph (3) above is without prejudice to the power of a traffic commissioner to determine that an individual is not of good repute for reasons other than convictions of the kind there mentioned.

F313(10)

In this paragraph references to an individual include references to a transport manager as well as to an individual who is an applicant for, or the holder, of, a PSV operator’s licence.

Appropriate financial standing

2

F323(1)

Being of appropriate financial standing in relation to an application for, or holder of, F324a restricted licence consists in having available sufficient financial resources to ensure the establishment and proper administration of the business carried on, or proposed to be carried on, under the licence.

F325(2)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Professional competence

3

References in Part II of this Act to professional competence are to the professional competence of an individual; and a company satisfies the requirement as to professional competence if, and so long as, F326it has a transport manager or transport managers of its road transport business who, or each of whom, is of good repute and professionally competent.

4

Where an individual is not himself professionally competent, the requirement as to professional competence shall be regarded as satisfied in relation to him if, and so long as, he has a transport manager of his road passenger transport business who is of good repute and professionally competent.

F3275

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6

F328(1)

F329... an individual shall be regarded as professionally competent for the purposes of Part II of this Act if, and only if,—

F330(a)

he has demonstrated that he possesses the requiste skills by passing a written examination organised by an approved body and is the holder of a certificate to that effect issued by that body; or

(b)

he is the holder of any other certificate of competence, diploma or other qualification recognised for the purposes of this paragraph by the Secretary of State.

F331(1A)

The approved body may exempt an individual from certain parts of the examination mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(a) if the individual is the holder of a certificate of competence, diploma or other qualification which covers those parts and which is recognised for the purposes of this sub-paragraph by the Secretary of State.

F332(2)

The written examination mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(a) may be supplemented by an oral examination organised by the approved body in the form set out in Annex I to F333the 2009 Regulation.

(3)

The certificate mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(a) must take the form of the certificate set out in F334Annex III to that Regulation and must have security features in compliance with Annex II to that Regulation.

7

In paragraph 6 above “approved body” means—

(a)

a body approved by the Secretary of State for the purposes of that paragraph; or

(b)

a body approved by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland for the purposes of section 46A(5)(c) of the M18Transport Act (Northern Ireland) 1967; or

(c)

a body or authority designated by another member State for the purposes of F335Article 8.3 of the 2009 Regulation;

and “the requisite skills” means F336knowledge corresponding to the level of training, for either national or international transport operations as the case may be, provided for in Annex I to F337that Regulation in the subjects there listed.

F338Determinations in respect of transport managers

7A.

(1)

A traffic commissioner must not in any proceedings under this Act or the 2009 Regulation make a finding that a transport manager is not of good repute or is not professionally competent unless the commissioner is satisfied that the transport manager has been served with a notice—

(a)

stating that the question whether the transport manager is of good repute or (as the case may be) professionally competent is an issue in the proceedings;

(b)

setting out the nature of the allegations against the transport manager;

(c)

stating that the transport manager is entitled to make representations under this paragraph within 28 days beginning with the date on which the notice is served on the transport manager; and

(d)

stating that the transport manager is entitled to request an inquiry as provided in section 54.

(2)

Where a transport manager makes representations under this paragraph, the traffic commissioner must consider the representations—

(a)

in considering whether or not to hold an inquiry as provided in section 54; and

(b)

in determining whether the transport manager is of good repute or (as the case may be) professionally competent.

(3)

The traffic commissioner must hold an inquiry as provided in section 54 if the transport manager requests one under sub-paragraph (1)(d).

(4)

A notice is deemed for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) to have been served on a transport manager on the date on which it would have been delivered in the ordinary course of post if it was sent by post addressed to the transport manager at the transport manager’s last known address, notwithstanding that the notice was returned as undelivered or was for any other reason not received by the transport manager.

7B.

(1)

In proceedings under this Act or the 2009 Regulation for determining whether a person who is a transport manager is of good repute or professionally competent, a traffic commissioner must consider whether a finding that the person was no longer of good repute or (as the case may be) professionally competent would constitute a disproportionate response.

(2)

If the commissioner determines that the person is no longer of good repute or (as the case may be) professionally competent, the commissioner must order the person to be disqualified (either indefinitely or for such period as the commissioner thinks fit) from acting as a transport manager.

(3)

While a disqualification under sub-paragraph (2) is in force—

(a)

the person may not act as transport manager for any road transport undertaking;

(b)

a certificate issued to the person under Article 8.8 of the 2009 Regulation (certificate of professional competence) is not valid.

(4)

A person in respect of whom an order has been made under sub-paragraph (2) may appeal to the Upper Tribunal against the order.

(5)

The traffic commissioner may direct that an order under sub-paragraph (2) is not to take effect until the expiry of the time within which an appeal may be made to the Upper Tribunal against the order and, if such an appeal is made, until the appeal has been disposed of.

(6)

If the traffic commissioner refuses to give a direction under sub-paragraph (5), the person in respect of whom the order has been made may apply to the Upper Tribunal for such a direction.

7C.

(1)

The traffic commissioner by whom a disqualification order is made under paragraph 7B(2) may, subject to sub-paragraph (2), at any time cancel the order or, with the consent of the disqualified person, vary the order.

(2)

The traffic commissioner by whom a disqualification order is made under paragraph 7B(2) may specify measures with which the disqualified person must comply before the order can be cancelled or varied.

(3)

Measures specified under sub-paragraph (2) may be varied by the traffic commissioner—

(a)

on the application of the disqualified person, or

(b)

by the traffic commissioner.

(4)

Before making a variation under sub-paragraph (3)(b), the traffic commissioner must serve a notice on the disqualified person—

(a)

stating the traffic commissioner’s intention to vary the measures specified under sub-paragraph (2),

(b)

stating that the person is entitled to make representations under sub-paragraph (5) within 28 days beginning with the date on which the notice is served on the person, and

(c)

stating that the person is entitled to request an inquiry as provided in section 54.

(5)

Where a person makes representations under this sub-paragraph, the traffic commissioner must consider the representations in deciding whether to vary the measures specified under sub-paragraph (2).

(6)

The traffic commissioner must hold an inquiry as provided in section 54 if the disqualified person requests one under sub-paragraph (4)(c).

(7)

A notice is deemed for the purposes of sub-paragraph (4) to have been served on a person on the date on which it would have been delivered in the ordinary course of post if it was sent by post addressed to the person at the person’s last known address, notwithstanding that the notice was returned as undelivered or was for any other reason not received by the person

F339. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F3398

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F3399

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F33910

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SCHEDULES 4, 5 . . . F340

SCHEDULE 6 Transitional Provisions and Savings

Section 88.

Periods of time

1

Where a period of time specified in an enactment repealed by this Act is current at the commencement of this Act, this Act shall have effect as if the corresponding provision thereof had been in force when that period began to run.

Saving for transitional provisions and savings in orders under section 70(5) and (6) of Transport Act 1980

2

Where any provision of the M19Transport Act 1980 which is repealed by this Act was brought into force by an order which contains transitional provisions and savings in connection with that provision, an order under section 89(2) of this Act may contain corresponding provisions and savings in connection with any provision of this Act corresponding to the repealed provision.

Certificates of initial fitness

3

A certificate of fitness issued in respect of a vehicle under section 129 of the M20Road Traffic Act 1960 which was in force immediately before the date on which section 17 of the Transport Act 1980 came into force and had effect on and after that date as if it were a certificate of initial fitness shall, notwithstanding the repeal by this Act of subsection (2) of the said section 17, continue to have effect as if it were a certificate of initial fitness issued in respect of the vehicle on that date.

4

For the purposes of subsection (1) of section 6 of this Act, the requirement of paragraph (b) of that subsection shall be treated as complied with if a certificate under section 130 of the Road Traffic Act 1960 was in force in respect of the vehicle concerned immediately before section 17 of the Transport Act 1980 came into force or has since that date been issued in respect of the vehicle.

X2SCHEDULE 7 Consequential Amendments

Section 88.

Annotations:
Editorial Information

X2The text of Schedules 7, 8 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and, except as specified, does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1953 (c. 26)

1

In section 4(4) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1953 in the definition of “public service vehicle” for the words from “Part I” to “section 2(1)” there shalll be substituted the words “ the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 if in section 1(1) ”.

Local Government (Omnibus Shelters and Queue Barriers) (Scotland) Act 1958 (c. 50)

2

In section 7(1) of the Local Government (Omnibus Shelters and Queue Barriers) (Scotland) Act 1958 in the definition of “public service vehicle” for the words from “Part I” to “section 2(1)” there shall be substituted the words “ the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 if in section 1(1) ”.

Finance Act 1965 (c. 25)

F3413

In section 92 of the Finance Act 1965, in the definition of “operator” in subsection (8), for the words “Part I of the Transport Act 1980” there shall be substituted the words “ the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 ”.

4–8

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F342

Transport Act 1968 (c. 73)

F3439

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10

In section 159(1) of that Act—

(a)

in the definition of “bus service” for the words “Part I of the Transport Act 1980” there shall be substituted the words “ the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 ” and for the words “section 3(3)(a) of the Transport Act 1980” there shall be substituted the words “ section 2(3)(a) of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 ”; and

(b)

in the definition of “express carriage” and “stage carriage” and in the definition of “public service vehicle” for the words “Act of 1960” there shall be substituted the words “ Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 ”.

Transport (London)Act 1969 (c. 35)

F34411

In section 23 of the Transport (London) Act 1969—

(a)

in subsection (2) for the words “Part III of the Act of 1960” there shall be substituted the words “ the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981. ”;

(b)

in subsection (7) in the definition of “road service licence” for the words “Act of 1960” there shall be substituted the words “ Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 ” and for the definition of “service of express carriages” there shall be substituted—

““service express carriages” means an express carriage service within the meaning of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 or a stage carriage service within the meaning of that Act as to which the condition in section 2(3)(a) of that Act (long journeys only) is satisfied.”

12–15

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F345

Road Traffic (Foreign Vehicles) Act 1972 (c. 27)

16

In section 4(2)(b) of the Road Traffic (Foreign Vehicles) Act 1972 for the words from “section 19(1)” to “section 160(1)(k) of that Act” there shall be substituted the words “ section 12(1) of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 as modified by regulations for the time being in force under section 60(1)(m) of that Act ”.

17

In section 7(1) of that Act—

F346(a)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)

in the definition of “public service vehicle” for the words “Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1960” there shall be substituted the words “ the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 ”.

18

In Schedule 1 to that Act for the words “Section 16(1) of the Transport Act 1980” there shall be substituted the words “ Section 8(1) of the Public Passneger Vehicles Act 1981 ”.

Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 (c. 57)

19

In section 63(3)(b) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 for the words “Part I of the Transport Act 1980” there shall be substituted the words “ the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 ”.

20

In section 80(1) of that Act, in the definition of “public service vehicle”, for the words “Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1960” there shall be substituted the words “ the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 ”.

Energy Act 1976 (c. 76)

21

In paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the Energy Act 1976—

(a)

in sub-paragraph (1)(c) for the words “Part I of the Transport Act 1980” there shall be substituted the words “ Part II or III of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 ”;

(b)

in sub-paragraph (1)(d) for the words “section 14” there shall be substituted the words “ section 40 ”; and

(c)

in sub-paragraph (2) for the words “section 160 of the Road Traffic Act 1960” there shall be substituted the words “ section 60 of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 ”.

22

In paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 to that Act for the words “section 144 of the Road Traffic Act 1960” there shall be substituted the words “ section 22 of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 ”.

Transport Act 1978 (c. 55)

23

In section 1(2)(a) of the Transport Act 1978 for the words “the Minibus Act 1977” there shall be substituted the words “ section 42 of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 ”.

24

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F347

X3SCHEDULE 8 Repeals

Section 88.

Annotations:
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
Editorial Information

X3The text of Schedules 7, 8 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and, except as specified, does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

Chapter

Short title

Extent of repeal

1960 c. 16.

The Road Traffic Act 1960.

Part III.

In section 232(1), paragraph (a).

Section 239.

In section 247(2) the words “except offences under section 148(2)”.

Section 252.

In section 257(1) the words from “and the expressions” to the end of the subsection.

Section 260.

In section 263, in subsection (1) the word “III” and subsection (2).

In section 265, subsection (1) and in subsection (2) the words from the beginning to “Part III of this Act and”.

1960 c. 63.

The Road Traffic and Roads Improvement Act 1960.

Section 24.

The Schedule.

1962 c. 46.

The Transport Act 1962.

In Schedule 2, in Part I the entry relating to section 157 of the Raod Traffic Act 1960.

1962 c. 59.

The Road Traffic Act 1962.

In Schedule 4, the amendment of section 130 of the Road Traffic Act 1960.

1968 c. 73.

The Transport Act 1968.

In section 35, subsection (3).

In section 130(6), paragraph (c).

. . . F348

In Schedule 10, in Part I the entry relating to section 123 of the Road Traffic Act 1960 and in Part II the entry relating to section 123 of the Road Traffic Act 1960.

1969 c. 35.

The Transport (London) Act 1969.

In section 24, subsections (1) to (4).

1972 c. 11.

The Superannuation Act 1972.

In Schedule 6, the amendment of section 126 of the Road Traffic Act 1960.

1974 c. 50.

The Road Traffic Act 1974.

In section 10(7) the words “the amendments of Part III of the 1960 Act specified in Schedule 2 to this Act.”

In section 21(1) paragraph (a) and the words “Part I or” and “as the case may require”.

In Schedule 2, paragraph 2.

In Schedule 5, Part I.

In Schedule 6, paragraph 2.

1975 c. 53.

The Public Service Vehicles (Arrest of Offenders) Act 1975.

In section 1 the words from “regulations having effect” to “public service vehicles) or of”.

Section 2(2).

1977 c. 21.

The Passenger Vehicles (Experimental Areas) Act 1977.

The whole Act.

1977 c. 25.

The Minibus Act 1977.

The whole Act.

1978 c. 55.

The Transport Act 1978.

Sections 5 and 7.

In section 24(2), the definition of “the 1960 Act”.

In Schedule 2, paragraph 5.

1980 c. 34.

The Transport Act 1980.

Sections 1 to 31.

In section 32, subsections (1) to (4).

Section 33.

Section 36.

In section 37, subsection (1)

Sections 38 to 41.

In section 42—

(a) in subsection (2), paragraph (a) and sub-paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iv) of paragraph (b); and

(b) subsections (3) and (4).

In section 43, subsection (2).

Section 44.

Schedules 1 to 3.

In Schedule 4, the entries relating to sections 144, 146, 147 and 157 of the Road Traffic Act 1960.

In Schedule 5, Part I and in Part II the paragraphs amending the Transport (London) Act 1969, the Road Traffic Act 1974, the Passenger Vehicles (Experimental Areas) Act 1977, the Minibus Act 1977 and the Transport Act 1978.