Inspection of public passenger vehicles and goods vehicles

68 Inspection of public passenger vehicles and goods vehicles.

1

A vehicle examiner—

a

may at any time, on production if so required of his authority, inspect any vehicle to which this section applies and for that purpose detain the vehicle during such time as is required for the inspection, and

b

may at any time which is reasonable having regard to the circumstances of the case enter any premises on which he has reason to believe that such a vehicle is kept.

2

The power conferred by subsection (1) above to inspect a vehicle includes power to test it and to drive it for the purpose of testing it.

3

A person who intentionally obstructs an examiner in the exercise of his powers under subsection (1) above is guilty of an offence.

4

A vehicle examiner or a constable in uniform may at any time require any person in charge of a vehicle to which this section applies and which is stationary on a road to proceed with the vehicle for the purpose of having it inspected under this section to any place where an inspection can be suitably carried out (not being more than five miles from the place where the requirement is made).

5

A person in charge of a vehicle who refuses or neglects to comply with a requirement made under subsection (4) above is guilty of an offence.

6

This section applies to—

a

goods vehicles,

b

public service vehicles, and

c

motor vehicles which are not public service vehicles but are adapted to carry more than eight passengers;

but subsection (1)(b) above shall not apply in relation to vehicles within paragraph (c) above or in relation to vehicles used to carry passengers for hire or reward only under permits granted under section 19 or 22 of the Transport Act 1985 (use of vehicles by educational and other bodies or in providing community bus services).