Road Traffic Act 1988

108 Interpretation.E+W+S

(1)In this Part of this Act—

  • “agricultural tractor” means a tractor used primarily for work on land in connection with agriculture,

  • “articulated goods vehicle” means a motor vehicle which is so constructed that a trailer designed to carry goods may by partial superimposition be attached to it in such manner as to cause a substantial part of the weight of the trailer to be borne by the motor vehicle, and “articulated goods vehicle combination” means an articulated goods vehicle with a trailer so attached,

  • [F1“British external licence” and “British Forces licence” have the meanings given by section 88(8) of this Act,]

  • “Community licence” means a document issued in respect of a member State other than the United Kingdom by an authority of that or another member State (including the United Kingdom) authorising the holder to drive a motor vehicle, not being—

(a)a document containing a statement to the effect that that or a previous document was issued in exchange for a document issued in respect of a State other than a member State, or

(b)a document in any of the forms for an international driving permit annexed to the Paris Convention on Motor Traffic of 1926, the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic of 1949 or the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic of 1968,

  • “disability” has the meaning given by section 92 of this Act,

  • “disqualified” means disqualified for holding or obtaining a licence [F2(or, in cases where the disqualification is limited, a licence to drive motor vehicles of the class to which the disqualification relates)], and “disqualification” is to be interpreted accordingly,

  • “exchangeable licence” means a Community licence or a document which would be a Community licence if—

(a)Gibraltar, and

(b)each country or territory within this paragraph by virtue of an order under subsection (2) below,

  • were or formed part of a member State other than the United Kingdom,

  • [F3“full licence” means a licence other than a provisional licence,]

  • “licence” [F4(except where the context otherwise requires)]means a licence to drive a motor vehicle granted under this Part of this Act [F5and “counterpart”, in relation to a licence, means a document in such form as the Secretary of State may determine, issued with the licence, containing such information as he determines and designed for the endorsement of particulars relating to the licence],

  • “maximum gross weight”, in relation to a motor vehicle or trailer, means the weight of the vehicle laden with the heaviest load which it is constructed or adapted to carry,

  • “maximum train weight”, in relation to an articulated goods vehicle combination, means the weight of the combination laden with the heaviest load which it is constructed or adapted to carry,

  • “medium-sized goods vehicle” means a motor vehicle which is constructed or adapted to carry or to haul goods and is not adapted to carry more than nine persons inclusive of the driver and the permissible maximum weight of which exceeds 3.5 but not 7.5 tonnes,

  • [F6“Northern Ireland driving licence” or “Northern Ireland licence” means a licence to drive a motor vehicle granted under the law of Northern Ireland,

  • “passenger-carrying vehicle” has the meaning given by section 121(1) of this Act,]

  • “permissible maximum weight”, in relation to a goods vehicle (of whatever description), means—

(a)in the case of a motor vehicle which neither is an articulated goods vehicle nor is drawing a trailer, the relevant maximum weight of the vehicle,

(b)in the case of an articulated goods vehicle—

(i)when drawing only a semi-trailer, the relevant maximum train weight of the articulated goods vehicle combination,

(ii)when drawing a trailer as well as a semi-trailer, the aggregate of the relevant maximum train weight of the articulated goods vehicle combination and the relevant maximum weight of the trailer,

(iii)when drawing a trailer but not a semi-trailer, the aggregate of the relevant maximum weight of the articulated goods vehicle and the relevant maximum weight of the trailer,

(iv)when drawing neither a semi-trailer nor a trailer, the relevant maximum weight of the vehicle,

(c)in the case of a motor vehicle (not being an articulated goods vehicle) which is drawing a trailer, the aggregate of the relevant maximum weight of the motor vehicle and the relevant maximum weight of the trailer,

  • “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations,

  • “prospective disability” has the meaning given by section 92 of this Act,

  • “provisional licence” means a licence granted by virtue of section 97(2) of this Act,

  • “regulations” means regulations made under section 105 of this Act,

  • “relevant disability” has the meaning given by section 92 of this Act,

  • [F7“relevant external law” has the meaning given by section 88(8) of this Act,]

  • “relevant maximum weight”, in relation to a motor vehicle or trailer, means—

(a)in the case of a vehicle to which regulations under section 49 of this Act apply which is required by regulations under section 41 of this Act to have a maximum gross weight for the vehicle marked on a plate issued by the Secretary of State under regulations under section 41, the maximum gross weight so marked on the vehicle,

(b)in the case of a vehicle which is required by regulations under section 41 of this Act to have a maximum gross weight for the vehicle marked on the vehicle and does not also have a maximum gross weight marked on it as mentioned in paragraph (a) above, the maximum gross weight marked on the vehicle,

(c)in the case of a vehicle on which a maximum gross weight is marked by the same means as would be required by regulations under section 41 of this Act if those regulations applied to the vehicle, the maximum gross weight so marked on the vehicle,

(d)in the case of a vehicle on which a maximum gross weight is not marked as mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) above, the notional maximum gross weight of the vehicle, that is to say, such weight as is produced by multiplying the unladen weight of the vehicle by the number prescribed by the Secretary of State for the class of vehicle into which that vehicle falls,

  • “relevant maximum train weight”, in relation to an articulated goods vehicle combination, means—

(a)in the case of an articulated goods vehicle to which regulations under section 49 of this Act apply which is required by regulations under section 41 of this Act to have a maximum train weight for the combination marked on a plate issued by the Secretary of State under regulations under section 41, the maximum train weight so marked on the motor vehicle,

(b)in the case of an articulated goods vehicle which is required by regulations under section 41 of this Act to have a maximum train weight for the combination marked on the vehicle and does not also have a maximum train weight marked on it as mentioned in paragraph (a) above, the maximum train weight marked on the motor vehicle,

(c)in the case of an articulated goods vehicle on which a maximum train weight is marked by the same means as would be required by regulations under section 41 of this Act if those regulations applied to the vehicle, the maximum train weight so marked on the motor vehicle,

(d)in the case of an articulated goods vehicle on which a maximum train weight is not marked as mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) above, the notional maximum gross weight of the combination, that is to say, such weight as is produced by multiplying the sum of the unladen weights of the motor vehicle and the semi-trailer by the number prescribed by the Secretary of State for the class of articulated goods vehicle combination into which that combination falls,

  • “semi-trailer”, in relation to an articulated goods vehicle, means a trailer attached to it in the manner described in the definition of articulated goods vehicle,

  • “small goods vehicle” means a motor vehicle (other than a motor cycle or invalid carriage) which is constructed or adapted to carry or to haul goods and is not adapted to carry more than nine persons inclusive of the driver and the permissible maximum weight of which does not exceed 3.5 tonnes,

  • “small passenger vehicle” means a motor vehicle (other than a motor cycle or invalid carriage) which is constructed solely to carry passengers and their effects and is adapted to carry not more than nine persons inclusive of the driver, and

  • “test of competence to drive” means such a test conducted under section 89 of this Act.

  • [F8“approved training course for motor cyclists” and, in relation to such a course, “prescribed certificate of completion” mean respectively any course of training approved under, and the certificate of completion prescribed in, regulations under section 97(3A) of this Act.]

(2)If the Secretary of State is satisfied that satisfactory provision for the granting of licences to drive motor vehicles is made by the law of a country or territory which neither is nor forms part of a member State, he may by order made by statutory instrument designate that country or territory as a country or territory within paragraph (b) of the definition of exchangeable licence in subsection (1) above.

(3)Before making any order under subsection (2) above, the Secretary of State shall consult with such representative organisations as he thinks fit.

Subordinate Legislation Made

P1S. 108 for previous exercises of this power see Index to Government Orders.

P2S. 108(1): s. 105 (with ss. 89(1)(f)(3), 101 and 108(1)) power exercised by S.I. 1991/485

S. 108(1): s. 105 (with ss. 89(1)(f), 97(3), 108(1), 114(1), 120, 121 and 192(1)(3)) power exercised by S.I. 1991/515

P3S. 108(1): s. 89(3)(with ss. 89(4)(b), 105(1)(4) and 108(1)) power exercised by S.I. 1991/1121

S. 108(1): s. 89(3)(with ss. 89(4)(b), 105(1)(4) and 108(1)) power exercised by S.I. 1991/1122

P4S. 108(1): s. 105 (with ss. 89(3)(b) and 108(1)) power exercised (8.7.1991) by S.I. 1991/1541

P5S. 108(1): s. 105(1)(2)(e)(4) (with ss. 97(1)(a) and 108(1)) power exercised (1.11.1991) by S.I.1991/2492

S. 108(1): s. 105(1)(2)(e)(4) (with ss. 97(1)(a) and 108(1)) power exercised (1.11.1991) by S.I.1991/2493

Textual Amendments

F6Definition inserted by Road Traffic (Driver Licensing and Information Systems) Act 1989 (c. 22, SIF 107:1), s. 7, Sch. 3 para. 15(e) (in force 1.6.1990 as to definition of “Northern Ireland driving licence" and “Northern Ireland licence" and 1.4.1991 as to residue)

108 Interpretation.E+W+S

(1)In this Part of this Act—

  • “agricultural tractor” means a tractor used primarily for work on land in connection with agriculture,

  • “articulated goods vehicle” means a motor vehicle which is so constructed that a trailer designed to carry goods may by partial superimposition be attached to it in such manner as to cause a substantial part of the weight of the trailer to be borne by the motor vehicle, and “articulated goods vehicle combination” means an articulated goods vehicle with a trailer so attached,

  • [F9“British external licence” and “British Forces licence” have the meanings given by section 88(8) of this Act,]

  • “Community licence” means a document issued in respect of a member State other than the United Kingdom by an authority of that or another member State (including the United Kingdom) authorising the holder to drive a motor vehicle, not being—

(a)a document containing a statement to the effect that that or a previous document was issued in exchange for a document issued in respect of a State other than a member State, or

(b)a document in any of the forms for an international driving permit annexed to the Paris Convention on Motor Traffic of 1926, the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic of 1949 or the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic of 1968,

  • “disability” has the meaning given by section 92 of this Act,

  • “disqualified” means disqualified for holding or obtaining a licence [F10(or, in cases where the disqualification is limited, a licence to drive motor vehicles of the class to which the disqualification relates)], and “disqualification” is to be interpreted accordingly,

  • “exchangeable licence” means a Community licence or a document which would be a Community licence if—

(a)Gibraltar, and

(b)each country or territory within this paragraph by virtue of an order under subsection (2) below,

  • were or formed part of a member State other than the United Kingdom,

  • [F11“full licence” means a licence other than a provisional licence,]

  • “licence” [F12(except where the context otherwise requires)]means a licence to drive a motor vehicle granted under this Part of this Act [F13and “counterpart”, in relation to a licence, means a document in such form as the Secretary of State may determine, issued with the licence, containing such information as he determines and designed for the endorsement of particulars relating to the licence],

  • “maximum gross weight”, in relation to a motor vehicle or trailer, means the weight of the vehicle laden with the heaviest load which it is constructed or adapted to carry,

  • “maximum train weight”, in relation to an articulated goods vehicle combination, means the weight of the combination laden with the heaviest load which it is constructed or adapted to carry,

  • “medium-sized goods vehicle” means a motor vehicle which is constructed or adapted to carry or to haul goods and is not adapted to carry more than nine persons inclusive of the driver and the permissible maximum weight of which exceeds 3.5 but not 7.5 tonnes,

  • [F14“Northern Ireland driving licence” or “Northern Ireland licence” means a licence to drive a motor vehicle granted under the law of Northern Ireland,

  • “passenger-carrying vehicle” has the meaning given by section 121(1) of this Act,]

  • “permissible maximum weight”, in relation to a goods vehicle (of whatever description), means—

(a)in the case of a motor vehicle which neither is an articulated goods vehicle nor is drawing a trailer, the relevant maximum weight of the vehicle,

(b)in the case of an articulated goods vehicle—

(i)when drawing only a semi-trailer, the relevant maximum train weight of the articulated goods vehicle combination,

(ii)when drawing a trailer as well as a semi-trailer, the aggregate of the relevant maximum train weight of the articulated goods vehicle combination and the relevant maximum weight of the trailer,

(iii)when drawing a trailer but not a semi-trailer, the aggregate of the relevant maximum weight of the articulated goods vehicle and the relevant maximum weight of the trailer,

(iv)when drawing neither a semi-trailer nor a trailer, the relevant maximum weight of the vehicle,

(c)in the case of a motor vehicle (not being an articulated goods vehicle) which is drawing a trailer, the aggregate of the relevant maximum weight of the motor vehicle and the relevant maximum weight of the trailer,

  • “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations,

  • “prospective disability” has the meaning given by section 92 of this Act,

  • “provisional licence” means a licence granted by virtue of section 97(2) of this Act,

  • “regulations” means regulations made under section 105 of this Act,

  • “relevant disability” has the meaning given by section 92 of this Act,

  • [F15“relevant external law” has the meaning given by section 88(8) of this Act,]

  • “relevant maximum weight”, in relation to a motor vehicle or trailer, means—

(a)in the case of a vehicle to which regulations under section 49 of this Act apply which is required by regulations under section 41 of this Act to have a maximum gross weight for the vehicle marked on a plate issued by the Secretary of State under regulations under section 41, the maximum gross weight so marked on the vehicle,

(b)in the case of a vehicle which is required by regulations under section 41 of this Act to have a maximum gross weight for the vehicle marked on the vehicle and does not also have a maximum gross weight marked on it as mentioned in paragraph (a) above, the maximum gross weight marked on the vehicle,

(c)in the case of a vehicle on which a maximum gross weight is marked by the same means as would be required by regulations under section 41 of this Act if those regulations applied to the vehicle, the maximum gross weight so marked on the vehicle,

(d)in the case of a vehicle on which a maximum gross weight is not marked as mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) above, the notional maximum gross weight of the vehicle, that is to say, such weight as is produced by multiplying the unladen weight of the vehicle by the number prescribed by the Secretary of State for the class of vehicle into which that vehicle falls,

  • “relevant maximum train weight”, in relation to an articulated goods vehicle combination, means—

(a)in the case of an articulated goods vehicle to which regulations under section 49 of this Act apply which is required by regulations under section 41 of this Act to have a maximum train weight for the combination marked on a plate issued by the Secretary of State under regulations under section 41, the maximum train weight so marked on the motor vehicle,

(b)in the case of an articulated goods vehicle which is required by regulations under section 41 of this Act to have a maximum train weight for the combination marked on the vehicle and does not also have a maximum train weight marked on it as mentioned in paragraph (a) above, the maximum train weight marked on the motor vehicle,

(c)in the case of an articulated goods vehicle on which a maximum train weight is marked by the same means as would be required by regulations under section 41 of this Act if those regulations applied to the vehicle, the maximum train weight so marked on the motor vehicle,

(d)in the case of an articulated goods vehicle on which a maximum train weight is not marked as mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) above, the notional maximum gross weight of the combination, that is to say, such weight as is produced by multiplying the sum of the unladen weights of the motor vehicle and the semi-trailer by the number prescribed by the Secretary of State for the class of articulated goods vehicle combination into which that combination falls,

  • “semi-trailer”, in relation to an articulated goods vehicle, means a trailer attached to it in the manner described in the definition of articulated goods vehicle,

  • “small goods vehicle” means a motor vehicle (other than a motor cycle or invalid carriage) which is constructed or adapted to carry or to haul goods and is not adapted to carry more than nine persons inclusive of the driver and the permissible maximum weight of which does not exceed 3.5 tonnes,

  • “small passenger vehicle” means a motor vehicle (other than a motor cycle or invalid carriage) which is constructed solely to carry passengers and their effects and is adapted to carry not more than nine persons inclusive of the driver, and

  • “test of competence to drive” means such a test conducted under section 89 of this Act.

  • [F16“approved training course for motor cyclists” and, in relation to such a course, “prescribed certificate of completion” mean respectively any course of training approved under, and the certificate of completion prescribed in, regulations under section 97(3A) of this Act.]

(2)If the Secretary of State is satisfied that satisfactory provision for the granting of licences to drive motor vehicles is made by the law of a country or territory which neither is nor forms part of a member State, he may by order made by statutory instrument designate that country or territory as a country or territory within paragraph (b) of the definition of exchangeable licence in subsection (1) above.

(3)Before making any order under subsection (2) above, the Secretary of State shall consult with such representative organisations as he thinks fit.

Textual Amendments

F14Definition inserted by Road Traffic (Driver Licensing and Information Systems) Act 1989 (c. 22, SIF 107:1), s. 7, Sch. 3 para. 15(e) (in force 1.6.1990 as to definition of “Northern Ireland driving licence" and “Northern Ireland licence" and 1.4.1991 as to residue)