Road Traffic Act 1988

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 [F1 or 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 [F2 or 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

F1 Words in s. 143(1)(a) inserted (3.4.2000) by S.I. 2000/726, art. 2(a)

F2 Words in s. 143(1)(b) inserted (3.4.2000) by S.I. 2000/726, art. 2(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 No commentary item could be found for this reference key-8a89cbf10f3ce66142cd3e28f52a66adS. 143 modified by Energy Act 1976 (c. 76, SIF 44:3), s. 4(2), Sch. 1 para. 4(1) (as amended by Road Traffic (Consequential Provisions) Act 1988 (c. 54, SIF 107:1), s. 4, Sch. 3 para. 17(b))

C2 S. 143 excluded (23.6.1999) by S.I. 1999/1736, art. 8(1)(b)(2)(b)