Road Traffic Act 1988

Compulsory insurance or security against third-party risksE+W+S

143 Users of motor vehicles to be insured or secured against third-party risks. E+W+S

(1)Subject to the provisions of this Part of this Act—

(a)a person must not use a motor vehicle on a road [F1or other public place] unless there is in force in relation to the use of the vehicle by that person such a policy of insurance or such a security in respect of third party risks as complies with the requirements of this Part of this Act, and

(b)a person must not cause or permit any other person to use a motor vehicle on a road [F2or other public place] unless there is in force in relation to the use of the vehicle by that other person such a policy of insurance or such a security in respect of third party risks as complies with the requirements of this Part of this Act.

(2)If a person acts in contravention of subsection (1) above he is guilty of an offence.

(3)A person charged with using a motor vehicle in contravention of this section shall not be convicted if he proves—

(a)that the vehicle did not belong to him and was not in his possession under a contract of hiring or of loan,

(b)that he was using the vehicle in the course of his employment, and

(c)that he neither knew nor had reason to believe that there was not in force in relation to the vehicle such a policy of insurance or security as is mentioned in subsection (1) above.

(4)This Part of this Act does not apply to invalid carriages.

Textual Amendments

F1Words in s. 143(1)(a) inserted (3.4.2000) by S.I. 2000/726, art. 2(a)

F2Words in s. 143(1)(b) inserted (3.4.2000) by S.I. 2000/726, art. 2(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2S. 143 excluded (23.6.1999) by S.I. 1999/1736, art. 8(1)(b)(2)(b)

144 Exceptions from requirement of third-party insurance or security.E+W+S

(1)Section 143 of this Act does not apply to a vehicle owned by a person who has deposited and keeps deposited with the Accountant General of the [F3Senior Courts] the sum of [F4£500,000], at a time when the vehicle is being driven under the owner’s control.

[F5(1A)The Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument substitute a greater sum for the sum for the time being specified in subsection (1) above.

(1B)No order shall be made under subsection (1A) above unless a draft of it has been laid before and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.]

(2)Section 143 does not apply—

(a)to a vehicle owned—

(i)by the council of a county or county district in England and Wales [F6the Broads Authority], the Common Council of the City of London, the council of a London borough [F7 a National Park authority], the Inner London Education Authority, [F8a fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004,] [F9[F10the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority,]] [F9the London Fire Commissioner,] F11... [F12, a joint authority F13... established by Part 4 of the Local Government Act 1985, an economic prosperity board established under section 88 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 or a combined authority established under section 103 of that Act,]

(ii)by a [F14council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 in Scotland [F15or the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service], or]

(iii)by a joint board or committee in England or Wales, or joint committee in Scotland, which is so constituted as to include among its members representatives of any such council,

at a time when the vehicle is being driven under the owner’s control,

(b)to a vehicle owned by [F16a local policing body or] a police authority [F17or the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police district], at a time when it is being driven under the owner’s control, or to a vehicle at a time when it is being driven for police purposes by or under the direction of a constable, [F18by a member of a police and crime commissioner's staff (within the meaning of Part 1 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011), by a member of the staff of the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (within the meaning of that Part of that Act), by a member of the civilian staff of a police force (within the meaning of that Part of that Act), by a member of the civilian staff of the metropolitan police force (within the meaning of that Part of that Act), by a person employed by the Common Council of the City of London in its capacity as a police authority,] [F19by a police volunteer designated under section 38 of the Police Reform Act 2002,] or by a person employed by a police authority, F17..., or

F20(ba). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)to a vehicle at a time when it is being driven on a journey to or from any place undertaken for salvage purposes pursuant to Part IX of the [F21Merchant Shipping Act 1995],

F22(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F23(da)to a vehicle owned by a health service body, as defined in section 60(7) of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 F24...[F25or by a Local Health Board established under section 11 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006], at a time when the vehicle is being driven under the owner’s control.

(db)to an ambulance owned by a National Health Service trust established under [F26section 25 of the National Health Service Act 2006, section 18 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006] or the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978, at a time when a vehicle is being driven under the owner’s control]

[F27(dc) to an ambulance owned by an NHS foundation trust, at a time when the vehicle is being driven under the owner’s control, ]

(e)to a vehicle which is made available by the Secretary of State [F28or the Welsh Ministers] to any person, body or local authority in pursuance of [F29section 12 or 80 of the National Health Service Act 2006, or section 10 or 38 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006,] at a time when it is being used in accordance with the terms on which it is so made available,

(f)to a vehicle which is made available by the Secretary of State to any local authority, education authority or voluntary organisation in Scotland in pursuance of section 15 or 16 of the M1National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 at a time when it is being used in accordance with the terms on which it is so made available.

[F30(g) to a vehicle owned by [F31the Care Quality Commission], at a time when the vehicle is being driven under the owner’s control]

Textual Amendments

F3S. 144(1): words wherever they occur in any enactment substituted (1.10.2009) by virtue of Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59, 148, Sch. 11 para. 1(2); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2

F4Words in s. 144(1) substituted (1.7.1992) by Road Traffic Act 1991 (c. 40, SIF 107:1), s. 20(2); S.I. 1992/1286, art. 2, Sch.

F7Words in s. 144(2)(a)(i) inserted (23.11.1995) by 1995 c. 25, S. 78, Sch. 10, para.29 (with ss. 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7); S.I. 1995/2950, art. 2

F8Words in s. 144(2)(a)(i) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 3.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 1 para. 59; S.I. 2017/399, reg. 2, Sch. para. 38

F9Words in s. 144(2)(a)(i) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.4.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 2 para. 84; S.I. 2018/227, reg. 4(c)

F10Words in s. 144(2)(a)(i) inserted (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 328(8), Sch. 29 Pt. I para. 54 (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/1094, art. 4(h)

F11Words in s. 144(2)(a)(i) omitted (26.5.2015) by virtue of Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), s. 115(7), Sch. 13 para. 6(23); S.I. 2015/994, art. 6(g)

F14Words in s. 144(2)(a)(ii) substituted (S.) (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 159(8); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4

F17Words in s. 144(2)(b) repealed (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, ss. 325, 423, Sch. 27 para. 61, Sch. 34 Pt. VII (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/1648,art. 2, Sch.

F19Words in s. 144(2)(b) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 15.12.2017 in so far as not already in force ) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 12 para. 8; S.I. 2017/1139, reg. 2(k) (as amended by S.I. 2017/1162, reg. 2)

F21Words in s. 144(2)(c) substituted (1.1.1996) by 1995 c. 21, ss. 314(2), 316(2) Sch. 13 para. 85 (with s. 312(1))

F22S. 144(2)(d) repealed (28.3.2009 for certain purposes otherwise prosp.) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), ss. 378(2), 383, Sch. 17; S.I. 2009/812, art. 3 (with transitional provisions in {S.I. 2009/1059})

F24Words in s. 144(2)(da) omitted (1.4.2013) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 306(4), Sch. 5 para. 46; S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3S. 144 excluded (23.6.1999) by S.I. 1999/1736, art. 8(1)(b)(2)(b)

C4S. 144(2)(a) extended by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1) s. 57(7), Sch. 13 para. 20 (as amended by Road Traffic (Consequential Provisions) Act 1988 (c. 54, SIF 107:1), s. 4, Sch. 3 para. 30)

S. 144(2)(a) amended (1.4.1995) by S.I. 1995/401, art. 18, Sch. para. 6

Marginal Citations

F32[144AOffence of keeping vehicle which does not meet insurance requirementsE+W+S

(1)If a motor vehicle registered under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 does not meet the insurance requirements, the person in whose name the vehicle is registered is guilty of an offence.

(2)For the purposes of this section a vehicle meets the insurance requirements if—

(a)it is covered by a such a policy of insurance or such a security in respect of third party risks as complies with the requirements of this Part of this Act, and

(b)either of the following conditions is satisfied.

(3)The first condition is that the policy or security, or the certificate of insurance or security which relates to it, identifies the vehicle by its registration mark as a vehicle which is covered by the policy or security.

(4)The second condition is that the vehicle is covered by the policy or security because—

(a)the policy or security covers any vehicle, or any vehicle of a particular description, the owner of which is a person named in the policy or security or in the certificate of insurance or security which relates to it, and

(b)the vehicle is owned by that person.

(5)For the purposes of this section a vehicle is covered by a policy of insurance or security if the policy of insurance or security is in force in relation to the use of the vehicle.]

Textual Amendments

F32Ss. 144A-144D inserted (4.2.2011) by Road Safety Act 2006 (c. 49), ss. 22(1), 61(1)(10) (with s. 61(3)); S.I. 2011/19, art. 2(a)

F32[144BExceptions to section 144A offenceE+W+S

(1) A person (“the registered keeper”) in whose name a vehicle which does not meet the insurance requirements is registered at any particular time (“ the relevant time ”) does not commit an offence under section 144A of this Act at that time if any of the following conditions are satisfied.

(2)The first condition is that at the relevant time the vehicle is owned as described—

(a)in subsection (1) of section 144 of this Act, or

(b)in paragraph (a), (b), (da), (db), (dc) or (g) of subsection (2) of that section,

(whether or not at the relevant time it is being driven as described in that provision).

(3)The second condition is that at the relevant time the vehicle is owned with the intention that it should be used as described in paragraph (c), (d), (e) or (f) of section 144(2) of this Act.

(4)The third condition is that the registered keeper—

(a)is not at the relevant time the person keeping the vehicle, and

(b)if previously he was the person keeping the vehicle, he has by the relevant time complied with any requirements under subsection (7)(a) below that he is required to have complied with by the relevant or any earlier time.

(5)The fourth condition is that—

(a)the registered keeper is at the relevant time the person keeping the vehicle,

(b)at the relevant time the vehicle is not used on a road or other public place, and

(c)the registered keeper has by the relevant time complied with any requirements under subsection (7)(a) below that he is required to have complied with by the relevant or any earlier time.

(6)The fifth condition is that—

(a)the vehicle has been stolen before the relevant time,

(b)the vehicle has not been recovered by the relevant time, and

(c)any requirements under subsection (7)(b) below that, in connection with the theft, are required to have been complied with by the relevant or any earlier time have been complied with by the relevant time.

[F33(6A)The sixth condition is that—

(a)the registered keeper is at the relevant time the person keeping the vehicle,

(b)neither a licence nor a nil licence under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 was in force for the vehicle on 31st January 1998,

(c)neither a licence nor a nil licence has been taken out for the vehicle for a period starting after that date, and

(d)the vehicle has not been used or kept on a public road after that date.]

(7)Regulations may make provision—

(a)for the purposes of subsection (4)(b) and (5)(c) above, requiring a person in whose name a vehicle is registered to furnish such particulars and make such declarations as may be prescribed, and to do so at such times and in such manner as may be prescribed, and

(b)for the purposes of subsection (6)(c) above, as to the persons to whom, the times at which and the manner in which the theft of a vehicle is to be notified.

(8)Regulations may make provision amending this section for the purpose of providing for further exceptions to section 144A of this Act (or varying or revoking any such further exceptions).

(9)A person accused of an offence under section 144A of this Act is not entitled to the benefit of an exception conferred by or under this section unless evidence is adduced that is sufficient to raise an issue with respect to that exception; but where evidence is so adduced it is for the prosecution to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the exception does not apply.]

Textual Amendments

F32Ss. 144A-144D inserted (4.2.2011) by Road Safety Act 2006 (c. 49), ss. 22(1), 61(1)(10) (with s. 61(3)); S.I. 2011/19, art. 2(a)

F32[144CFixed penalty noticesE+W+S

(1)Where on any occasion the Secretary of State has reason to believe that a person has committed an offence under section 144A of this Act, the Secretary of State may give the person a notice offering him the opportunity of discharging any liability to conviction for that offence by payment of a fixed penalty to the Secretary of State.

(2)Where a person is given a notice under this section in respect of an offence under section 144A of this Act—

(a)no proceedings may be instituted for that offence before the end of the period of 21 days following the date of the notice, and

(b)he may not be convicted of that offence if he pays the fixed penalty before the end of that period.

(3)A notice under this section must give such particulars of the circumstances alleged to constitute the offence as are necessary for giving reasonable information of the offence.

(4)A notice under this section must also state—

(a)the period during which, by virtue of subsection (2) above, proceedings will not be taken for the offence,

(b)the amount of the fixed penalty, and

(c)the person to whom and the address at which the fixed penalty may be paid.

(5)Without prejudice to payment by any other method, payment of the fixed penalty may be made by pre-paying and posting a letter containing the amount of the penalty (in cash or otherwise) to the person mentioned in subsection (4)(c) above at the address so mentioned.

(6)Where a letter is sent in accordance with subsection (5) above payment is to be regarded as having been made at the time at which that letter would be delivered in the ordinary course of post.

(7)Regulations may make provision as to any matter incidental to the operation of this section, and in particular—

(a)as to the form of a notice under this section,

(b)as to the information to be provided in such a notice by virtue of this section, and

(c)as to any further information to be provided in a such notice.

(8)The fixed penalty payable under this section is, subject to subsection (9) below, £100.

(9)Regulations may substitute a different amount for the amount for the time being specified in subsection (8) above.

(10)Regulations may make provision for treating a fixed penalty payable under this section as having been paid if a lesser amount is paid before the end of a prescribed period.

(11)In any proceedings a certificate which—

(a)purports to be signed by or on behalf of the Secretary of State, and

(b)states that payment of a fixed penalty was or was not received by a date specified in the certificate,

is evidence of the facts stated.]

Textual Amendments

F32Ss. 144A-144D inserted (4.2.2011) by Road Safety Act 2006 (c. 49), ss. 22(1), 61(1)(10) (with s. 61(3)); S.I. 2011/19, art. 2(a)

F32[144DSection 144A offence: supplementaryE+W+S

(1)Schedule 2A makes provision about the immobilisation of vehicles as regards which it appears that an offence under section 144A of this Act is being committed and about their removal and disposal.

(2)A person authorised by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this subsection may on behalf of the Secretary of State conduct and appear in any proceedings by or against the Secretary of State in connection with the enforcement of an offence under section 144A of this Act or under regulations made under section 160 of this Act by virtue of Schedule 2A to this Act—

(a)in England and Wales, in a magistrates' court, and

(b)in Scotland, in any court other than the High Court of Justiciary or the Court of Session.]

Textual Amendments

F32Ss. 144A-144D inserted (4.2.2011) by Road Safety Act 2006 (c. 49), ss. 22(1), 61(1)(10) (with s. 61(3)); S.I. 2011/19, art. 2(a)

145 Requirements in respect of policies of insurance.E+W+S

(1)In order to comply with the requirements of this Part of this Act, a policy of insurance must satisfy the following conditions.

(2)The policy must be issued by an authorised insurer.

(3)Subject to subsection (4) below, the policy—

(a)must insure such person, persons or classes of persons as may be specified in the policy in respect of any liability which may be incurred by him or them in respect of the death of or bodily injury to any person or damage to property caused by, or arising out of, the use of the vehicle on a road [F34or other public place] in Great Britain, and

[F35(aa)must, in the case of a vehicle normally based in the territory of another member State, insure him or them in respect of any civil liability which may be incurred by him or them as a result of an event related to the use of the vehicle in Great Britain if,—

(i)according to the law of that territory, he or they would be required to be insured in respect of a civil liability which would arise under that law as a result of that event if the place where the vehicle was used when the event occurred were in that territory, and

(ii)the cover required by that law would be higher than that required by paragraph (a) above, and]

(b)must [F36 in the case of a vehicle normally based in Great Britain] insure him or them in respect of any liability which may be incurred by him or them in respect of the use of the vehicle and of any trailer, whether or not coupled, in the territory other than Great Britain and Gibraltar of each of the member States of the [F37European Union] according to

[F38(i)the law on compulsory insurance against civil liability in respect of the use of vehicles of the State in whose territory the event giving rise to the liability occurred; or

(ii)if it would give higher cover, the law which would be applicable under this Part of this Act if the place where the vehicle was used when that event occurred were in Great Britain; and]

(c)must also insure him or them in respect of any liability which may be incurred by him or them under the provisions of this Part of this Act relating to payment for emergency treatment.

(4)The policy shall not, by virtue of subsection (3)(a) above, be required—

(a)to cover liability in respect of the death, arising out of and in the course of his employment, of a person in the employment of a person insured by the policy or of bodily injury sustained by such a person arising out of and in the course of his employment, or

(b)to provide insurance of more than [F39£1,200,000] in respect of all such liabilities as may be incurred in respect of damage to property caused by, or arising out of, any one accident involving the vehicle, or

(c)to cover liability in respect of damage to the vehicle, or

(d)to cover liability in respect of damage to goods carried for hire or reward in or on the vehicle or in or on any trailer (whether or not coupled) drawn by the vehicle, or

(e)to cover any liability of a person in respect of damage to property in his custody or under his control, or

(f)to cover any contractual liability.

[F40(4A)In the case of a person—

(a)carried in or upon a vehicle, or

(b)entering or getting on to, or alighting from, a vehicle,

the provisions of paragraph (a) of subsection (4) above do not apply unless cover in respect of the liability referred to in that paragraph is in fact provided pursuant to a requirement of the M2 Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969. ]

[F41(5)“Authorised insurer” has the same meaning as in section 95.]

(6)If any person or body of persons ceases to be a member of the Motor Insurers’ Bureau, that person or body shall not by virtue of that cease to be treated as an authorised insurer for the purposes of this Part of this Act F42. . . —

(a)in relation to any policy issued by the insurer before ceasing to be such a member, or

(b)in relation to any obligation (whether arising before or after the insurer ceased to be such a member) which the insurer may be called upon to meet under or in consequence of any such policy or under section 157 of this Act F42. . . by virtue of making a payment in pursuance of such an obligation.

Textual Amendments

F34Words in s. 145(3)(a) inserted (3.4.2000) by S.I. 2000/726, art. 2(3)

F35S. 145(3)(aa) inserted (31.12.1992) by S.I. 1992/3036, reg. 2(1).

F36Words in s. 145(3)(b) inserted (31.12.1992) by S.I. 1992/3036, reg. 2(2)

F38Words in s. 145(3)(b) substituted (31.12.1992) by S.I. 1992/3036, reg. 2(2).

F40S. 145(4A) inserted (31.12.1992) by S.I. 1992/3036, reg. 2(3).

F41S. 145(5) substituted (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/3649, arts. 1, 313

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C5S. 145 excluded (23.6.1999) by S.I. 1999/1736, art. 8(1)(b)(2)(b)

C6S. 145(2) excluded by virtue of S.I. 1973/2143, reg. 8 (as amended by S.I. 1974/791, reg. 6); 1988 c. 54, s. 2

Marginal Citations

146 Requirements in respect of securities.E+W+S

(1)In order to comply with the requirements of this Part of this Act, a security must satisfy the following conditions.

(2)The security must be given either by an authorised insurer or by some body of persons which carries on in the United Kingdom the business of giving securities of a like kind and has deposited and keeps deposited with the Accountant General of the [F43Senior Courts] the sum of £15,000 in respect of that business.

(3)Subject to subsection (4) below, the security must consist of an undertaking by the giver of the security to make good, subject to any conditions specified in it, any failure by the owner of the vehicle or such other persons or classes of persons as may be specified in the security duly to discharge any liability which may be incurred by him or them, being a liability required under section 145 of this Act to be covered by a policy of insurance.

(4)In the case of liabilities arising out of the use of a motor vehicle on a road [F44or other public place] in Great Britain the amount secured need not exceed—

(a)in the case of an undertaking relating to the use of public service vehicles (within the meaning of the M3Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981), £25,000,

(b)in any other case, £5,000.

Textual Amendments

F43S. 146(2): words substituted (1.10.2009) by virtue of Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59, 148, Sch. 11 para. 4(1); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2

F44Words in s. 146(4) inserted (3.4.2000) by S.I. 2000/726, art. 2(4)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7S. 146 excluded (23.6.1999) by S.I. 1999/1736, art. 8(1)(b)(2)(b)

Marginal Citations

147 Issue F45... of certificates of insurance and of security.E+W+S

(1)[F46An insurer issuing a policy of insurance for the purposes of this Part of this Act must deliver] to the person by whom the policy is effected a certificate (in this Part of this Act referred to as a “certificate of insurance”) in the prescribed form and containing such particulars of any conditions subject to which the policy is issued and of any other matters as may be prescribed.

[F47(1A)A certificate of insurance is to be treated for the purposes of [F48subsection (1) as having been delivered ] to the person by whom the policy is effected if—

(a)it is transmitted electronically by the insurer to the person in accordance with subsection (1B) below, or

(b)it is made available by the insurer to the person on a website in accordance with subsection (1C) below.

(1B)A certificate is transmitted electronically by an insurer to a person in accordance with this subsection if—

(a)on effecting the policy to which the certificate relates, the person agreed to its electronic transmission for the purposes of subsection (1) above, and

(b)the certificate is transmitted by the insurer to an electronic address specified by the person for this purpose.

(1C)A certificate is made available by an insurer to a person on a website in accordance with this subsection if—

(a)on effecting the policy to which the certificate relates, the person agreed to its being made available on a website for the purposes of subsection (1) above,

(b)the insurer makes the certificate available to the person by placing an electronic copy of it on a website, and

(c)the person is notified by the insurer, in a manner agreed by the person, of—

(i)the certificate's presence on the website,

(ii)the address of the website,

(iii)the place on the website where he may access the certificate, and

(iv)how he may access the certificate.

(1D)Where a certificate made available on a website is treated by virtue of subsection (1A)(b) above as having been delivered by an insurer to a person, the insurer must ensure that the certificate remains continuously accessible to the person on the website until the expiry of the last day on which the policy to which it relates has effect.

(1E)For the purposes of subsection (1D) above, a certificate is to be treated as remaining continuously accessible to a person on a website, despite its being temporarily inaccessible to him on the website, if the insurer has taken all reasonable steps to make it continuously accessible to him on the website (including steps to remedy any temporary inaccessibility).]

(2)[F49A person giving a security for the purposes of this Part of this Act must deliver] to the person to whom it is given a certificate (in this Part of this Act referred to as a “certificate of security”) in the prescribed form and containing such particulars of any conditions subject to which the security is issued and of any other matters as may be prescribed.

(3)Different forms and different particulars may be prescribed for the purposes of subsection (1) or (2) above in relation to different cases or circumstances.

F50(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F50(4A). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F50(4B). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F50(4C). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F50(4D). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F50(4E). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F50(4F). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F50(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F45Words in s. 147 heading omitted (30.6.2015) by virtue of Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), s. 115(7), Sch. 3 para. 2(b); S.I. 2015/994, art. 9(a) (with Sch. Pt. 3A) (as amended by S.I. 2015/1405, art. 2)

F46Words in s. 147(1) substituted (30.6.2015) by Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), ss. 9(2), 115(7); S.I. 2015/994, art. 9(a) (with Sch. Pt. 3A) (as amended by S.I. 2015/1405, art. 2)

F48Words in s. 147(1A) substituted (30.6.2015) by Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), s. 115(7), Sch. 3 para. 2(a); S.I. 2015/994, art. 9(a) (with Sch. Pt. 3A) (as amended by S.I. 2015/1405, art. 2)

F49Words in s. 147(2) substituted (30.6.2015) by Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), ss. 9(3), 115(7); S.I. 2015/994, art. 9(a) (with Sch. Pt. 3A) (as amended by S.I. 2015/1405, art. 2)

F50S. 147(4)-(5) omitted (30.6.2015) by virtue of Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), ss. 9(4), 115(7); S.I. 2015/994, art. 9(a) (with Sch. Pt. 3A) (as amended by S.I. 2015/1405, art. 2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C8S. 147 excluded (23.6.1999) by S.I. 1999/1736, art. 8(1)(b)(2)(b)

148 Avoidance of certain exceptions to policies or securities.E+W+S

(1)[F51Where a policy or security is issued or given for the purposes of this Part of this Act,] so much of the policy or security as purports to restrict—

(a)the insurance of the persons insured by the policy, or

(b)the operation of the security,

(as the case may be) by reference to any of the matters mentioned in subsection (2) below shall, as respects such liabilities as are required to be covered by a policy under section 145 of this Act, be of no effect.

(2)Those matters are—

(a)the age or physical or mental condition of persons driving the vehicle,

(b)the condition of the vehicle,

(c)the number of persons that the vehicle carries,

(d)the weight or physical characteristics of the goods that the vehicle carries,

(e)the time at which or the areas within which the vehicle is used,

(f)the horsepower or cylinder capacity or value of the vehicle,

(g)the carrying on the vehicle of any particular apparatus, or

(h)the carrying on the vehicle of any particular means of identification other than any means of identification required to be carried by or under [F52the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994].

(3)Nothing in subsection (1) above requires an insurer or the giver of a security to pay any sum in respect of the liability of any person otherwise than in or towards the discharge of that liability.

(4)Any sum paid by an insurer or the giver of a security in or towards the discharge of any liability of any person which is covered by the policy or security by virtue only of subsection (1) above is recoverable by the insurer or giver of the security from that person.

(5)A condition in a policy or security issued or given for the purposes of this Part of this Act providing—

(a)that no liability shall arise under the policy or security, or

(b)that any liability so arising shall cease,

in the event of some specified thing being done or omitted to be done after the happening of the event giving rise to a claim under the policy or security, shall be of no effect in connection with such liabilities as are required to be covered by a policy under section 145 of this Act.

(6)Nothing in subsection (5) above shall be taken to render void any provision in a policy or security requiring the person insured or secured to pay to the insurer or the giver of the security any sums which the latter may have become liable to pay under the policy or security and which have been applied to the satisfaction of the claims of third parties.

(7)Notwithstanding anything in any enactment, a person issuing a policy of insurance under section 145 of this Act shall be liable to indemnify the persons or classes of persons specified in the policy in respect of any liability which the policy purports to cover in the case of those persons or classes of persons.

Textual Amendments

F51Words in s. 148(1) substituted (30.6.2015) by Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), s. 115(7), Sch. 3 para. 3; S.I. 2015/994, art. 9(a) (with Sch. Pt. 3A) (as amended by S.I. 2015/1405, art. 2)

F52Words in 148(2)(h) substituted (1.9.1994) by 1994 C. 22, ss. 63, 66, Sch. 3 para. 24(1) (with s. 57(4))

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C9S. 148 excluded (23.6.1999) by S.I. 1999/1736, art. 8(1)(b)(2)(b)

149 Avoidance of certain agreements as to liability towards passengers.E+W+S

(1)This section applies where a person uses a motor vehicle in circumstances such that under section 143 of this Act there is required to be in force in relation to his use of it such a policy of insurance or such a security in respect of third-party risks as complies with the requirements of this Part of this Act.

(2)If any other person is carried in or upon the vehicle while the user is so using it, any antecedent agreement or understanding between them (whether intended to be legally binding or not) shall be of no effect so far as it purports or might be held—

(a)to negative or restrict any such liability of the user in respect of persons carried in or upon the vehicle as is required by section 145 of this Act to be covered by a policy of insurance, or

(b)to impose any conditions with respect to the enforcement of any such liability of the user.

(3)The fact that a person so carried has willingly accepted as his the risk of negligence on the part of the user shall not be treated as negativing any such liability of the user.

(4)For the purposes of this section—

(a)references to a person being carried in or upon a vehicle include references to a person entering or getting on to, or alighting from, the vehicle, and

(b)the reference to an antecedent agreement is to one made at any time before the liability arose.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C10S. 149 excluded (23.6.1999) by S.I. 1999/1736, art. 8(1)(b)(2)(b)

150 Insurance or security in respect of private use of vehicle to cover use under car-sharing arrangements.E+W+S

(1)To the extent that a policy or security issued or given for the purposes of this Part of this Act—

(a)restricts the insurance of the persons insured by the policy or the operation of the security (as the case may be) to use of the vehicle for specified purposes (for example, social, domestic and pleasure purposes) of a non-commercial character, or

(b)excludes from that insurance or the operation of the security (as the case may be)—

(i)use of the vehicle for hire or reward, or

(ii)business or commercial use of the vehicle, or

(iii)use of the vehicle for specified purposes of a business or commercial character,

then, for the purposes of that policy or security so far as it relates to such liabilities as are required to be covered by a policy under section 145 of this Act, the use of a vehicle on a journey in the course of which one or more passengers are carried at separate fares shall, if the conditions specified in subsection (2) below are satisfied, be treated as falling within that restriction or as not falling within that exclusion (as the case may be).

(2)The conditions referred to in subsection (1) above are—

(a)the vehicle is not adapted to carry more than eight passengers and is not a motor cycle,

(b)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 (which for the purposes of this paragraph shall be taken to include an appropriate amount in respect of depreciation and general wear), and

(c)the arrangements for the payment of fares by the passenger or passengers carried at separate fares were made before the journey began.

(3)Subsections (1) and (2) above apply however the restrictions or exclusions described in subsection (1) are framed or worded.

(4)In subsections (1) and (2) above “fare” and “separate fares” have the same meaning as in section 1(4) of the M4Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C11S. 150 excluded (23.6.1999) by S.I. 1999/1736, art. 8(1)(b)(2)(b)

Marginal Citations

151 Duty of insurers or persons giving security to satisfy judgment against persons insured or secured against third-party risks.E+W+S

(1)This section applies where, after [F53a policy or security is issued or given for the purposes of this Part of this Act,] a judgment to which this subsection applies is obtained.

(2)Subsection (1) above applies to judgments relating to a liability with respect to any matter where liability with respect to that matter is required to be covered by a policy of insurance under section 145 of this Act and either—

(a)it is a liability covered by the terms of the policy or security F54..., and the judgment is obtained against any person who is insured by the policy or whose liability is covered by the security, as the case may be, or

(b)it is a liability, other than an excluded liability, which would be so covered if the policy insured all persons or, as the case may be, the security covered the liability of all persons, and the judgment is obtained against any person other than one who is insured by the policy or, as the case may be, whose liability is covered by the security.

(3)In deciding for the purposes of subsection (2) above whether a liability is or would be covered by the terms of a policy or security, so much of the policy or security as purports to restrict, as the case may be, the insurance of the persons insured by the policy or the operation of the security by reference to the holding by the driver of the vehicle of a licence authorising him to drive it shall be treated as of no effect.

(4)In subsection (2)(b) above “excluded liability” means a liability in respect of the death of, or bodily injury to, or damage to the property of any person who, at the time of the use which gave rise to the liability, was allowing himself to be carried in or upon the vehicle and knew or had reason to believe that the vehicle had been stolen or unlawfully taken, not being a person who—

(a)did not know and had no reason to believe that the vehicle had been stolen or unlawfully taken until after the commencement of his journey, and

(b)could not reasonably have been expected to have alighted from the vehicle.

In this subsection the reference to a person being carried in or upon a vehicle includes a reference to a person entering or getting on to, or alighting from, the vehicle.

(5)Notwithstanding that the insurer may be entitled to avoid or cancel, or may have avoided or cancelled, the policy or security, he must, subject to the provisions of this section, pay to the persons entitled to the benefit of the judgment—

(a)as regards liability in respect of death or bodily injury, any sum payable under the judgment in respect of the liability, together with any sum which, by virtue of any enactment relating to interest on judgments, is payable in respect of interest on that sum,

(b)as regards liability in respect of damage to property, any sum required to be paid under subsection (6) below, and

(c)any amount payable in respect of costs.

(6)This subsection requires—

(a)where the total of any amounts paid, payable or likely to be payable under the policy or security in respect of damage to property caused by, or arising out of, the accident in question does not exceed [F55£1,200,000], the payment of any sum payable under the judgment in respect of the liability, together with any sum which, by virtue of any enactment relating to interest on judgments, is payable in respect of interest on that sum,

(b)where that total exceeds [F55£1,200,000], the payment of either—

(i)such proportion of any sum payable under the judgment in respect of the liability as [F55£1,200,000] bears to that total, together with the same proportion of any sum which, by virtue of any enactment relating to interest on judgments, is payable in respect of interest on that sum, or

(ii)the difference between the total of any amounts already paid under the policy or security in respect of such damage and [F55£1,200,000], together with such proportion of any sum which, by virtue of any enactment relating to interest on judgments, is payable in respect of interest on any sum payable under the judgment in respect of the liability as the difference bears to that sum,

whichever is the less, unless not less than [F55£1,200,000] has already been paid under the policy or security in respect of such damage (in which case nothing is payable).

(7)Where an insurer becomes liable under this section to pay an amount in respect of a liability of a person who is insured by a policy or whose liability is covered by a security, he is entitled to recover from that person—

(a)that amount, in a case where he became liable to pay it by virtue only of subsection (3) above, or

(b)in a case where that amount exceeds the amount for which he would, apart from the provisions of this section, be liable under the policy or security in respect of that liability, the excess.

(8)Where an insurer becomes liable under this section to pay an amount in respect of a liability of a person who is not insured by a policy or whose liability is not covered by a security, he is entitled to recover the amount from that person or from any person who—

(a)is insured by the policy, or whose liability is covered by the security, by the terms of which the liability would be covered if the policy insured all persons or, as the case may be, the security covered the liability of all persons, and

(b)caused or permitted the use of the vehicle which gave rise to the liability.

(9)In this section—

(a)“insurer” includes a person giving a security,

F56(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)“liability covered by the terms of the policy or security” means a liability which is covered by the policy or security or which would be so covered but for the fact that the insurer is entitled to avoid or cancel, or has avoided or cancelled, the policy or security.

(10)In the application of this section to Scotland, the words “by virtue of any enactment relating to interest on judgments” in subsections (5) and (6) (in each place where they appear) shall be omitted.

Textual Amendments

F53Words in s. 151(1) substituted (30.6.2015) by Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), s. 115(7), Sch. 3 para. 4(2); S.I. 2015/994, art. 9(a) (with Sch. Pt. 3A) (as amended by S.I. 2015/1405, art. 2)

F54Words in s. 151(2)(a) omitted (30.6.2015) by virtue of Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), s. 115(7), Sch. 3 para. 4(3); S.I. 2015/994, art. 9(a) (with Sch. Pt. 3A) (as amended by S.I. 2015/1405, art. 2)

F56S. 151(9)(b) repealed (1.7.1992) by Road Traffic Act 1991 (c. 40, SIF 107:1), s. 83, Sch.8; S.I. 1992/1286, art. 2,Sch.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C12S. 151 excluded (23.6.1999) by S.I. 1999/1736, art. 8(1)(b)(2)(b)

152 Exceptions to section 151.E+W+S

(1)No sum is payable by an insurer under section 151 of this Act—

(a)in respect of any judgment unless, before or within seven days after the commencement of the proceedings in which the judgment was given, the insurer had notice of the bringing of the proceedings, or

(b)in respect of any judgment so long as execution on the judgment is stayed pending an appeal, or

(c)in connection with any liability if, before the happening of the event which was the cause of the death or bodily injury or damage to property giving rise to the liability, the policy or security was cancelled by mutual consent or by virtue of any provision contained in itF57...

(i)before the happening of that event the certificate was surrendered to the insurer, or [F58(in the case of a certificate delivered otherwise than as described in section 147(1A) above)] the person to whom the certificate was delivered made a statutory declaration stating that the certificate had been lost or destroyed, or

(ii)after the happening of that event, but before the expiration of a period of fourteen days from the taking effect of the cancellation of the policy or security, the certificate was surrendered to the insurer, or [F59(in the case of a certificate delivered otherwise than as described in section 147(1A) above)] the person to whom it was delivered made a statutory declaration stating that the certificate had been lost or destroyed, or

(iii)either before or after the happening of that event, but within that period of fourteen days, the insurer has commenced proceedings under this Act in respect of the failure to surrender the certificate.

(2)Subject to subsection (3) below, no sum is payable by an insurer under section 151 of this Act if, in an action commenced before, or within three months after, the commencement of the proceedings in which the judgment was given, he has obtained a declaration—

(a)that, apart from any provision contained in the policy or security, he is entitled to avoid [F60the policy under either of the relevant insurance enactments, or the security] on the ground that it was obtained—

(i)by the non-disclosure of a material fact, or

(ii)by a representation of fact which was false in some material particular, or

(b)if he has avoided the policy [F61 under either of the relevant insurance enactments, or the security] on that ground, that he was entitled so to do apart from any provision contained in [F62the policy or security]

[F63and, for the purposes of this section, “material” means of such a nature as to influence the judgment of a prudent insurer in determining whether he will take the risk and, if so, at what premium and on what conditions.].

(3)An insurer who has obtained such a declaration as is mentioned in subsection (2) above in an action does not by reason of that become entitled to the benefit of that subsection as respects any judgment obtained in proceedings commenced before the commencement of that action unless before, or within seven days after, the commencement of that action he has given notice of it to the person who is the plaintiff (or in Scotland pursuer) in those proceedings specifying [F64the relevant insurance enactment or, in the case of a security,] the non-disclosure or false representation on which he proposes to rely.

(4)A person to whom notice of such an action is so given is entitled, if he thinks fit, to be made a party to it.

[F65(5)In this section, “relevant insurance enactment” means the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 or Part 2 of the Insurance Act 2015.]

Textual Amendments

F57Words in s. 152(1)(c) omitted (30.6.2015) by virtue of Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), s. 115(7), Sch. 3 para. 5; S.I. 2015/994, art. 9(a) (with Sch. Pt. 3A) (as amended by S.I. 2015/1405, art. 2)

F60Words in s. 152(2)(a) substituted (12.8.2016) by Insurance Act 2015 (c. 4), ss. 21(4)(a)(i), 23(2) (with s. 22(1))

F61Words in s. 152(2)(b) substituted (12.8.2016) by Insurance Act 2015 (c. 4), ss. 21(4)(a)(ii), 23(2) (with s. 22(1))

F64Words in s. 152(3) inserted (12.8.2016) by Insurance Act 2015 (c. 4), ss. 21(4)(b), 23(2) (with s. 22(1))

F65S. 152(5) added (12.8.2016) by Insurance Act 2015 (c. 4), ss. 21(4)(c), 23(2) (with s. 22(1))

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C13S. 152 excluded (23.6.1999) by S.I. 1999/1736, art. 8(1)(b)(2)(b)

153 Bankruptcy, etc., of insured or secured persons not to affect claims by third parties.E+W+S

(1)Where, after [F66a person has effected a policy of insurance or been given a security for the purposes of this Part of this Act,] [F67an event which results in that person being a relevant person for the purposes of the Third Parties (Rights against Insurers) Act 2010] happens, the happening of that event shall, notwithstanding anything in the [F68that Act] , not affect any such liability of that person as is required to be covered by a policy of insurance under section 145 of this Act.

F69(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)Nothing in subsection (1) above affects any rights conferred by the [F70Third Parties (Rights against Insurers) Act 2010] on the person to whom the liability was incurred, being rights so conferred against the person by whom the policy was issued or the security was given.

Textual Amendments

F66Words in s. 153(1) substituted (30.6.2015) by Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), s. 115(7), Sch. 3 para. 6; S.I. 2015/994, art. 9(a) (with Sch. Pt. 3A) (as amended by S.I. 2015/1405, art. 2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C14S. 153 excluded (23.6.1999) by S.I. 1999/1736, art. 8(1)(b)(2)(b)

154 Duty to give information as to insurance or security where claim made.E+W+S

(1)A person against whom a claim is made in respect of any such liability as is required to be covered by a policy of insurance under section 145 of this Act must, on demand by or on behalf of the person making the claim—

(a)state whether or not, in respect of that liability—

(i)he was insured by a policy having effect for the purposes of this Part of this Act or had in force a security having effect for those purposes, or

(ii)he would have been so insured or would have had in force such a security if the insurer or, as the case may be, the giver of the security had not avoided or cancelled the policy or security, and

(b)if he was or would have been so insured, or had or would have had in force such a security—

(i)give such particulars with respect to that policy or security as were specified in any certificate of insurance or security delivered in respect of that policy or security, as the case may be, under section 147 of this Act, or

(ii)where no such certificate was delivered under that section, give the following particulars, that is to say, the registration mark or other identifying particulars of the vehicle concerned, the number or other identifying particulars of the insurance policy issued in respect of the vehicle, the name of the insurer and the period of the insurance cover.

(2)If without reasonable excuse, a person fails to comply with the provisions of subsection (1) above, or wilfully makes a false statement in reply to any such demand as is referred to in that subsection, he is guilty of an offence.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C15S. 154 excluded (23.6.1999) by S.I. 1999/1736, art. 8(1)(b)(2)(b)

155 Deposits.E+W+S

(1)Where a person has deposited a sum with the Accountant General of the [F71Senior Courts] under section 144 or 146 of this Act, then, so long as any liabilities incurred by him, being such liabilities as are required to be covered by a policy of insurance under section 145 of this Act, have not been discharged or otherwise provided for, no part of that sum shall be applicable in discharge of any other liabilities incurred by him.

(2)Any regulations made, or having effect as if made, by [F72the Treasury] under section 20 of the M5Insurance Companies Act 1958 which apply to deposits made by insurers carrying on motor vehicle insurance business shall, with such necessary modifications and adaptations as, after consultation with the Lord Chancellor, may be prescribed, apply to deposits made with the Accountant General under section 144 or 146 of this Act.

(3)Such provision as might be made by [F72the Treasury] under section 20 of the Insurance Companies Act 1958 with respect to deposits under that Act may, after consultation with the Lord Chancellor, be made by regulations with respect to deposits made with the Accountant General under section 144 or 146 of this Act.

Textual Amendments

F71S. 155(1): words wherever they occur in any enactment substituted (1.10.2009) by virtue of Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59, 148, Sch. 11 para. 4(1); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2

F72Words in s. 155(2)(3) substituted (5.1.1998) by S.I. 1997/2781, art. 8(1), Sch. Pt. II para. 115

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C16S. 155 excluded (23.6.1999) by S.I. 1999/1736, art. 8(1)(b)(2)(b)

Marginal Citations

156 Power to require evidence of insurance or security on application for vehicle excise licence.E+W+S

Provision may be made by regulations under [F73section 57 of the Vehicle Excise and RegistrationAct 1994] for requiring a person applying for a licence under that Act in respect of a motor vehicle to produce such evidence as may be prescribed that either—

(a)on the date when the licence comes into operation there will be in force the necessary policy of insurance or the necessary security in relation to the use of the vehicle by the applicant or by other persons on his order or with his permission, or

(b)the vehicle is a vehicle to which section 143 of this Act does not apply at a time when it is being driven under the owner’s control.

Textual Amendments

F73Words in s. 156 substituted (1.9.1994) by S.I. 1994 c. 22, ss. 63, 66(2), Sch. 3 para. 24(5) (with s. 57(4))

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C17S. 156 excluded (23.6.1999) by S.I. 1999/1736, art. 8(1)(b)(2)(b)