Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Provision 1· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1984/27 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 An Act to consolidate the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1967 and certain related enactments, with amendments to give effect to recommendations of the Law Commission and the Scottish Law Commission. 1985-01-01 text text/xml en Statute Law Database 2026-03-18 Expert Participation 2026-03-11 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 s. 87(1)(a) Deregulation Act 2015 s. 50(2)(a) s. 115(3)(d) Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 s. 87(1)(aa) Deregulation Act 2015 s. 50(2)(b) s. 115(3)(d) Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 s. 87(1)(c) Deregulation Act 2015 s. 50(2)(c) s. 115(3)(d) Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 s. 87(1A) Deregulation Act 2015 s. 50(3) s. 115(3)(d) Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 s. 87 [...]

Provision 2· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

The traffic authority for a road outside Greater London may make an order under this section (referred to in this Act as a “ traffic regulation order ”) in respect of the road where it appears to the authority making the order that it is expedient to make it— a for avoiding danger to persons or other traffic using the road or any other road or for preventing the likelihood of any such danger arising, or b for preventing damage to the road or to any building on or near the road, or c for facilitating the passage on the road or any other road of any class of traffic (including pedestrians), or d for preventing the use of the road by vehicular traffic of a kind which, or its use by vehicular traffic in a manner which, is unsuitable having regard to the existing character of the road or adjoin [...]

Provision 3· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

make a traffic regulation order in respect of a road in relation to which the Secretary of State , a strategic highways company or the National Assembly for Wales is the traffic authority if— a the order is required for the provision of relevant bus scheme facilities or for the taking of relevant bus scheme measures , and b the Secretary of State or, the National Assembly for Wales, consents. 3B In subsection (3A) “ relevant bus scheme facilities ” means— za facilities provided pursuant to an advanced quality partnership scheme under Part 2 of the Transport Act 2000; a facilities provided pursuant to a quality partnership scheme under that Part ; aa facilities provided in connection with a franchising scheme under that Part (see section 123A(3)(d) of that Act); b facilities provided pursua [...]

Provision 4· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

exceptions as may be specified in the order or determined in a manner provided for by it, and b subject to such exceptions as may be so specified or determined, either at all times or at times, on days or during periods so specified. 2 The provision that may be made by a traffic regulation order includes any provision— a requiring vehicular traffic, or vehicular traffic of any class specified in the order, to proceed in a specified direction or prohibiting its so proceeding; b specifying the part of the carriageway to be used by such traffic proceeding in a specified direction; c prohibiting or restricting the waiting of vehicles or the loading and unloading of vehicles; d prohibiting the use of roads by through traffic; or e prohibiting or restricting overtaking. 3 The provision that may [...]

Provision 5· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

order shall not be made with respect to any road which would have the effect— a of preventing at any time access for pedestrians, or b of preventing for more than 8 hours in any period of 24 hours access for vehicles of any class, to any premises situated on or adjacent to the road, or to any other premises accessible for pedestrians, or (as the case may be) for vehicles of that class, from, and only from, the road. 2 Subsection (1) above, so far as it relates to vehicles, shall not have effect in so far as the authority making the order are satisfied, and it is stated in the order that they are satisfied, that— a for avoiding danger to persons or other traffic using the road to which the order relates or any other road, or b for preventing the likelihood of any such danger arising, or c f [...]

Provision 6· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

section 64 of this Act) and for the time being lawfully in place; and for the purposes of any such order so made any such traffic sign placed on and near a road shall be deemed to be lawfully in place unless the contrary is proved. 2 A traffic regulation order which imposes any restriction on the use by vehicles of a road, or the waiting of vehicles in a road, may include provision with respect to the issue and display of certificates or other means of identification of vehicles which are excepted from the restriction, whether generally or in particular circumstances or at particular times. 3 A traffic regulation order may also include provision with respect to the issue, display and operation of devices . . . for indicating the time at which a vehicle arrived at, and the time at which it [...]

Provision 7· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

a purpose mentioned in any of paragraphs (a) to (g) of section 1(1) of this Act. 2 In the case of a road for which the Secretary of State or a strategic highways company is the traffic authority, the power to make an order under this section is also exercisable, with his or its consent, by the local traffic authority. 3 Any order under this section may be made so as to apply— a to the whole area of a local authority, or to particular parts of that area, or to particular places or streets or parts of streets in that area; b throughout the day, or during particular periods; c on special occasions only, or at special times only; d to traffic of any class; e subject to such exceptions as may be specified in the order or determined in a manner provided for by it. 4 Where, by a notice published [...]

Provision 8· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

of this Act may make provision for identifying any part of any road to which, or any time at which or period during which, any provision contained in the order is for the time being to apply by means of a traffic sign of a type or character specified in the order (being a type prescribed or character authorised under section 64 of this Act) and for the time being lawfully in place; and, for the purposes of any order so made, any such traffic sign placed on or near a street shall be deemed to be lawfully in place unless the contrary is proved. 2 Any such order which imposes any restriction on the use by vehicles of streets in Greater London, or the waiting of vehicles in such streets, may include provision with respect to the issue and display of certificates or other means of identificatio [...]

Provision 9· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

lie to the Secretary of State from the traffic commissioner for the Metropolitan Traffic Area under section 42 of the Transport Act 1985 in the case of a decision of his with respect to a London local service licence if and so far as he certifies that the decision was necessary to secure conformity with any order in force under section 6 of this Act which prescribes— a the routes to be followed, or streets which are not to be used, by vehicles affected by the decision, or b the places in streets where such vehicles may or may not wait, or c the stopping places for such vehicles. 6 Before the Secretary of State makes any order under section 6 of this Act which will impose new or additional duties on the police, he shall consult the the Commissioner of Police for any police area in which is [...]

Provision 10· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

provision— a as respects a road outside Greater London, as may be made by a traffic regulation order; b as respects a road in Greater London, as may be made by an order under section 6, 45, 46, 49, or 83(2) or by virtue of section 84(1)(a) of this Act. 2 An experimental traffic order made by a local traffic authority outside Greater London may, with the consent of the Secretary of State or a strategic highways company , extend to a road in relation to which he or it is the traffic authority if the order forms part of a scheme of general traffic control relating to roads of which at least one has a junction with the length of road in question. 2A In the case of a road in Greater London for which the Secretary of State or a strategic highways company is the traffic authority, the power to ma [...]

Provision 11· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

order (whether or not that order has been varied, or has been modified or suspended under section 10(2) of this Act), and b in consequence of the council causing a public inquiry to be held into the order so proposed to be made, they would be unable to make it so that it would come into operation before the experimental traffic order ceases to be in force, the Secretary of State may, at the request of the council , from time to time direct that the experimental traffic order shall continue in force for a further period not exceeding 6 months from the date when it would otherwise cease to be in force. 5A So much of section 4(1) or 7(1) of this Act as provides for a presumption that a traffic sign is lawfully placed shall apply for the purposes of an order under this section making any such [...]

Provision 12· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

the amenities of the area through which any road affected by the order runs. The power conferred by such a provision shall be exercised only after consulting the appropriate chief officer of police and giving such public notice as the Secretary of State may direct. 3 Any such power to modify an experimental traffic order as is mentioned in subsection (2) above does not extend to making additions to the order or to designating additional on-street parking places for which charges are made; but subject to that the modifications may be of any description. 4 No appeal shall lie to the Secretary of State from the commissioner for the Metropolitan Traffic Area under section 42 of the Transport Act 1985 in the case of a decision of the commissioner with respect to a London local service licence i [...]

Provision 13· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Temporary suspension Temporary suspension of provisions under s. 6 or 9 orders. 13A 1 The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis or the Commissioner of Police for the City of London may temporarily suspend the operation of any provision of an order made under section 6 or 9 of this Act so far as that provision relates to any road or part of a road in Greater London which is within his area, in order to prevent or mitigate congestion or obstruction of traffic, or danger to or from traffic in consequence of extraordinary circumstances. 2 Subject to subsection (3) below, the period of suspension under subsection (1) above shall not continue for more than 7 days. 3 If the Secretary of St [...]

Provision 14· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

of any class, or by pedestrians, to such extent and subject to such conditions or exceptions as they may consider necessary. 1A Before making an order under subsection (1) above, the authority shall consult the National Park authority for any National Park which would be affected by the order. 2 The traffic authority for a road may at any time by notice restrict or prohibit temporarily the use of the road, or of any part of it, by vehicles, or vehicles of any class, or by pedestrians, where it appears to them that it is— a necessary or expedient for the reason mentioned in paragraph (a) or the purpose mentioned in paragraph (c) of subsection (1) above; or b necessary for the reason mentioned in paragraph (b) of that subsection, that the restriction or prohibition should come into force wit [...]

Provision 15· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

the initiating authority or by that notice; b if the initiating authority is not the traffic authority for the alternative road, by an order made by the initiating authority with the consent of the traffic authority for the alternative road. 6 Section 3(1) and (2) of this Act shall apply to the provisions that may be made under subsection (5) above as they apply to the provisions of a traffic regulation order. 7 An order or notice made or issued under this section may— a suspend any statutory provision to which this subsection applies; or b for either of the reasons or for the purpose mentioned in subsection (1) above suspend any such provision without imposing any such restriction or prohibition as is mentioned in subsection (1) or (2) above. 8 Subsection (7) above applies to— a any statu [...]

Provision 16· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

cycle track or byway open to all traffic, for more than six months; and b in any other case, for more than eighteen months, from the date on which it comes into force. 2 The time-limit of eighteen months in subsection (1) above shall not apply to an order made for the reason mentioned in section 14(1)(a) of this Act if the authority making it are satisfied, and it is stated in the order that they are satisfied, that the execution of the works in question will take longer; but in any such case the authority shall revoke the order as soon as the works are completed. 3 Where an order subject to the time-limit of eighteen months in subsection (1) above (in this subsection referred to as “ the temporary order ”) has not ceased to be in force and the national authority is satisfied that— a an or [...]

Provision 17· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

in subsection (1) above, from time to time direct that the order shall continue in force for a further period from the date on which it would otherwise cease to be in force. 6 Where the national authority refuses a request under subsection (5) above in respect of an order no further order to which that subsection applies shall be made in respect of any length of road to which the previous order related unless the national authority has consented to the making of the further order or at least three months have expired since the date on which the previous order ceased to be in force. 7 A notice under section 14 of this Act shall not continue in force— a if issued for the reason mentioned in paragraph (a) or the purpose mentioned in paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of that section, for more th [...]

Provision 18· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

and Wales— a “ footpath ” does not include a highway over which the public have a right of way on foot only which is at the side of a public road; b “ cycle track ” has the same meaning as in the Highways Act 1980; and c “ byway open to all traffic ” means a highway over which the public have a right of way for vehicular and all other kinds of traffic but which is used by the public mainly for the purpose for which footpaths and bridleways are used. 10 In the application of this section to Scotland “ footpath ” and “ cycle track ” have the same meaning as in the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984. Supplementary provisions as to orders and notices under s. 14. 16 1 A person who contravenes, or who uses or permits the use of a vehicle in contravention of, a restriction or prohibition imposed under se [...]

Provision 19· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prohibition or restriction on roads in connection with certain events. 16A 1 In this section “ relevant event ” means any sporting event, social event or entertainment which is held on a road. 2 If the traffic authority for a road are satisfied that traffic on the road should be restricted or prohibited for the purpose of— a facilitating the holding of a relevant event, b enabling members of the public to watch a relevant event, or c reducing the disruption to traffic likely to be caused by a relevant event, the authority may by order restrict or prohibit te [...]

Provision 20· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

trial or it is authorised by or under regulations under section 12G of that Act ; b may not be made in relation to any competition or trial falling within subsection (1) of section 13 of that Act (regulation of motoring events on public ways) unless the competition or trial is authorised by or under regulations under that section; and c may not be made in relation to any race or trial falling within subsection (1) of section 31 of that Act (regulation of cycle racing on public ways) unless the race or trial is authorised by or under regulations made under that section. 5 An order under this section may relate to the road on which the relevant event is to be held or to any other road. 6 In the case of a road for which the Secretary of State or a strategic highways company is the traffic aut [...]

Provision 21· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

or driving of horses, cattle, sheep or other animals, but no such order shall be made with respect to any road which would have the effect of preventing at any time access for pedestrians to any premises situated on or adjacent to the road, or to any other premises accessible for pedestrians from, and only from, the road. 10 An order under this section may— a suspend any statutory provision to which this subsection applies; or b for any of the purposes mentioned in subsection (2) above, suspend any such provision without imposing any such restriction or prohibition as is mentioned in that subsection. 11 Subsection (10) above applies to— a any statutory provision of a description which could have been contained in an order under this section; b an order under section 32(1)(b), 35, 45, 46 or [...]

Provision 22· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

that it should continue in force for a longer period. 2 Where an order under section 16A of this Act has not ceased to be in force and the relevant event to which it relates has not ended, the Secretary of State or a strategic highways company may, subject to subsections (4) and (5) below, from time to time direct that the order shall continue in force for a further period not exceeding three days beginning with the day on which it would otherwise cease to be in force. 3 A direction under subsection (2) above may relate to all the roads to which the order under section 16A of this Act relates or only to specified roads. 4 Where an order under section 16A of this Act relates only to roads for which the Secretary of State or a strategic highways company (whichever made the order or agreed th [...]

Provision 23· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

a length of road is affected by an order under section 16A of this Act if the order contains provisions— a prohibiting or restricting traffic on that length of road; or b suspending any statutory provision applying to traffic on that length of road. Supplementary provisions as to orders under s. 16A. 16C 1 A person who contravenes, or who uses or permits the use of a vehicle in contravention of, a restriction or prohibition imposed by an order under section 16A of this Act shall be guilty of an offence. 2 The Secretary of State may make regulations with respect to the procedure to be followed in connection with the making of orders under section 16A of this Act including provision for notifying the public of the exercise or proposed exercise of the powers conferred by that section and of t [...]

Provision 24· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

particular— a regulate the manner in which and the conditions subject to which special roads may be used by traffic authorised to do so; b authorise, or enable such authority as may be specified in the regulations to authorise, the use of special roads on occasion or in an emergency or for the purpose of crossing, or for the purpose of securing access to premises abutting on or adjacent to the roads, by traffic other than that described in paragraph (a) above; . . . c relax, or enable any authority so specified to relax, any prohibition or restriction imposed by the regulations. d include provisions having effect in such places, at such times, in such manner or in such circumstances as may for the time being be indicated by traffic signs in accordance with the regulations. 3 Regulations ma [...]

Provision 25· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

the Welsh Ministers. 3ZD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3A Before making regulations under subsection (2) above, the Scottish Ministers shall consult the National Park authority for any National Park which would be affected by the regulations. a the National Park authority for any National Park which would be affected by the regulations. ... b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3B Before making regulations under subsection (2), the Welsh Ministers must consult the National Park authority for any National Park that would be affected by the regulations. 4 If a person uses a special road in contravention of this section or of regulations under subsection (2) above, he shall be guilty of an offence. 5 The provisions of this section [...]