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Part IIIN.I.Construction and Use of Vehicles and Equipment

Inspection of [F1vehicles]N.I.

Inspection of [F2vehicles]N.I.

76.—(1) A vehicle examiner—

(a)may at any time, on production if so required of his authority, inspect any vehicle to which this Article applies and for that purpose may stop and detain the vehicle during such time as its required for the inspection, and

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

(2) The power conferred by paragraph (1) to inspect vehicles 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 paragraph (1) is guilty of an offence.

(4) A vehicle examiner or member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary may at any time require any person in charge of a vehicle to which this Article applies and which is stationary on a road to proceed with the vehicle for the purpose of having it inspected under this Article to any place where an inspection can be suitably carried out (not being more than 10 miles from the place where the requirement is made).

[F3(4A) Paragraphs (5) to (8) of Article 75 apply in relation to an inspection under this Article as they apply in relation to a test under paragraph (1) of that Article, but–

(a)with the substitution for references to an authorised examiner of references to a vehicle examiner; and

(b)with the substitution for references to test and testing of references to examination and examining.]

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

(6) This Article applies to—

(a)goods vehicles,

[F4(aa)taxis;]

(b)public service vehicles, and

(c)motor vehicles which are not public service vehicles but are adapted to carry more than 8 passengers;

[F5(d)a motor car;]

but paragraph (1)(b) shall not apply in relation to vehicles within sub-paragraph (c) [F6or (d)] or in relation to vehicles used to carry passengers for hire or reward only under permits granted under section 10B of the Transport Act (Northern Ireland) 1967F7 (use of vehicles by educational and other bodies).

[F8(7) A vehicle examiner or member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary may place traffic signs on or near a road for the purposes of this Article.

(8) Article 50 shall apply to traffic signs placed under paragraph (7) and the power to place traffic signs conferred by that paragraph includes power to place them on a vehicle used by the Department or for police purposes.]