Archive Website of the UK government

Road traffic law

The following list can be found abbreviated throughout the Code. It is not intended to be a comprehensive guide, but a guide to some of the important points of law. For the precise wording of the law, please refer to the various Acts and Regulations (as amended) indicated in the Code. Abbreviations are listed below.

Most of the provisions apply on all roads throughout Great Britain, although there are some exceptions. The definition of a road in England and Wales is ‘any highway and any other road to which the public has access and includes bridges over which a road passes’ (RTA 1988 sect 192(1)). In Scotland, there is a similar definition which is extended to include any way over which the public have a right of passage (R(S)A 1984 sect 151(1)).

It is important to note that references to ‘road’ therefore generally include footpaths, bridleways and cycle tracks, and many roadways and driveways on private land (including many car parks). In most cases, the law will apply to them and there may be additional rules for particular paths or ways. Some serious driving offences, including drink-driving offences, also apply to all public places, for example public car parks.

Acts and regulations [abbreviations in brackets]

Acts and regulations from 1988 can be viewed on the UK legislation website. Acts and regulations prior to 1988 are only available in their original print format which may be obtained from The Stationery Office. For further information visit the Stationery Office website (TSO).

• UK legislation Opens new window

• The Stationery Office website Opens new window

Acts and regulations prior to 1988

Chronically Sick & Disabled Persons Act 1970 [CSDPA]

Functions of Traffic Wardens Order 1970 [FTWO]

Greater London (General Powers) Act 1974 [GL(GP)A]

Highway Act 1835 or 1980 (as indicated) [HA]

Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets) Regulations 1980 [MC(PH)R]

Motorways Traffic (England & Wales) Regulations 1982 [MT(E&W)R]

Motorways Traffic (England & Wales) Amended Regulations [MT(E&W)(A)R]

Pedal Cycles (Construction & Use) Regulations 1983 [PCUR]

Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 [PPVA]

Road Traffic Act 1984, 1988 or 1991 (as indicated) [RTA]

Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 [RTRA]

Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regulations 1986 [CUR]

Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 [R(S)A]

Acts and regulations from 1988 onwards

• Horses (Protective Headgear for Young Riders) Act 1990 [H(PHYR)A] Opens new window

• Horses (Protective Headgear for Young Riders) Regulations 1992 [H(PHYR)R] Opens new window

• Motor Cycles (Eye Protectors) Regulations 1999 [MC(EP)R] (PDF, 40K) Opens new window

• Motorways Traffic (Scotland) Regulations 1995 [MT(S)R] Opens new window

• Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999 [MV(DL)R] (PDF, 353K) Opens new window

• Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) Regulations 1993 [MV(WSB)R] Opens new window

• Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 [MV(WSB)(A)R] Opens new window

• Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts by Children in Front Seats) Regulations 1993 [MV(WSBCFS)R] Opens new window

• New Roads and Streetworks Act 1991 [NRSWA] Opens new window

• Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 [PCC(S)A] Opens new window

• Police Reform Act 2002 [PRA] Opens new window

• Prohibition of Smoking in Certain Premises (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (SI no 90) [PSCP(S)R]* (PDF, 63K) Opens new window

• Road Safety Act 2006 [RSA] (PDF, 547K) Opens new window

• Road Traffic Act 1988 [RTA] Opens new window

• Road Traffic Act 1991 [RTA] Opens new window

• Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995 [RT(ND)A] Opens new window

• Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 [RTOA] Opens new window

• Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 [RV(DRM)R] (PDF, 146K) Opens new window

• Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 [RVLR] Opens new window

• Road Vehicles (Registration & Licensing) Regulations 2002 [RV(R&L)R] (PDF, 45K) Opens new window

• Traffic Management Act 2004 [TMA] Opens new window

• Traffic Signs Regulations & General Directions 2002 [TSRGD] Opens new window

• Use of Invalid Carriages on Highways Regulations 1988 [UICHR] Opens new window

• Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 [VERA] Opens new window

• Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations and General Directions 1997 [ZPPPCRGD] Opens new window

Help with PDF files

• Help with PDF files

*Specific legislation applies to smoking in vehicles which constitute workplaces. For information, visit the links below:

• Smokefree England Opens new window

• Clearing the Air Scotland Opens new window

• Smoking Ban Wales Opens new window