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Road Traffic Act 1988

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Road Traffic Act 1988, Cross Heading: Physical fitness is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 28 March 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

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Physical fitnessE+W+S

92 Requirements as to physical fitness of drivers.E+W+S

(1)An application for the grant of a licence must include a declaration by the applicant, in such form as the Secretary of State may require, stating whether he is suffering or has at any time (or, if a period is prescribed for the purposes of this subsection, has during that period) suffered from any relevant disability or any prospective disability.

(2)In this Part of this Act—

  • disability” includes disease [F1and the persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol, whether or not such misuse amounts to dependency],

  • relevant disability” in relation to any person means—

    (a)

    any prescribed disability, and

    (b)

    any other disability likely to cause the driving of a vehicle by him in pursuance of a licence to be a source of danger to the public, and

  • prospective disability” in relation to any person means any other disability which—

    (a)

    at the time of the application for the grant of a licence or, as the case may be, the material time for the purposes of the provision in which the expression is used, is not of such a kind that it is a relevant disability, but

    (b)

    by virtue of the intermittent or progressive nature of the disability or otherwise, may become a relevant disability in course of time.

(3)If it appears from the applicant’s declaration, or if on inquiry the Secretary of State is satisfied from other information, that the applicant is suffering from a relevant disability, the Secretary of State must, subject to the following provisions of this section, refuse to grant the licence.

(4)The Secretary of State must not by virtue of subsection (3) above refuse to grant a licence—

(a)on account of any relevant disability which is prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph, if the applicant has at any time passed a relevant test and it does not appear to the Secretary of State that the disability has arisen or become more acute since that time or was, for whatever reason, not disclosed to the Secretary of State at that time,

(b)on account of any relevant disability which is prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph, if the applicant satisfies such conditions as may be prescribed with a view to authorising the grant of a licence to a person in whose case the disability is appropriately controlled,

(c)on account of any relevant disability which is prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph, if the application is for a provisional licence.

(5)Where as a result of a test of competence to drive [F2or of information obtained under the relevant powers] the Secretary of State is satisfied that the person who took the test [F2or in relation to whom the information was obtained] is suffering from a disability such that there is likely to be a danger to the public—

(a)if he drives any vehicle, F3. . .

(b)if he drives a vehicle other than a vehicle of a particular [F4class],

[F5or

F5(c)if he drives a vehicle except in accordance with particular conditions,]

the Secretary of State must serve notice in writing to that effect on that person and must include in the notice a description of the disability.

(6)Where a notice is served in pursuance of subsection (5)(a) above, then—

(a)if the disability is not prescribed under subsection (2) above, it shall be deemed to be so prescribed in relation to the person [F6on whom the notice is served], and

(b)if the disability is prescribed for the purposes of subsection (4)(c) above it shall be deemed not to be so prescribed in relation to him.

[F7(7)Where a notice is served in pursuance of subsection (5)(b) above, the Secretary of State may—

(a)if the person on whom the notice is served is an applicant for a licence, grant him a licence limited to vehicles of the particular class specified in the notice, or

(b)if he held a licence which is revoked by the Secretary of State and he complies with subsection (7ZB) below, grant him a licence limited to vehicles of that class,

and, if the Secretary of State so directs in the notice, his entitlement to drive other classes of vehicle by virtue of section 98(2) of this Act shall be limited as specified in the notice.

F7(7ZA)Where a notice is served in pursuance of subsection (5)(c) above, the Secretary of State may—

(a)if the person on whom the notice is served is an applicant for a licence, grant him a licence authorising him to drive vehicles subject to the particular conditions specified in the notice, or

(b)if he held a licence which is revoked by the Secretary of State and he complies with subsection (7ZB) below, grant him a licence authorising him to drive vehicles subject to those conditions,

and, if the Secretary of State so directs in the notice, any entitlement which the person has to drive vehicles by virtue of section 98(2) of this Act shall be subject to conditions as specified in the notice.

F7(7ZB)A person complies with this subsection if—

(a)he surrenders the existing licence F8..., and

(b)where the Secretary of State so requires, he provides evidence of his name, address, sex and date and place of birth and a photograph which is a current likeness of him.

F7(7A)If he considers it appropriate to do so, the Secretary of State may, after serving a notice under any of the paragraphs of subsection (5) above, serve a further notice under that paragraph or a notice under another of those paragraphs; and on his serving the later notice the notice previously served shall cease to have effect and any licence previously granted in accordance with it shall be revoked by the later notice.]

F9[(7B)In subsection (5) above the references to a test of competence to drive and to information obtained under the relevant power are references respectively to a test of competence prescribed for the purposes of section 89 or so much of such a test as is required to be taken in pursuance of section 94(5)(c) of this Act and to information obtained in pursuance of section 94(5)(a) or (b) of this Act.

(7C)A person whose licence is revoked by virtue of subsection (7A) above must deliver the licence F8... to the Secretary of State forthwith after the revocation and a person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to do so is guilty of an offence.]

F10[(7D)In subsection (7B) above the references to section 94 of this Act include references to that section as applied by section 99D [F11or 109C] of this Act.]

(8)In this section “relevant test”, in relation to an application for a licence, means any such test of competence as is mentioned in section 89 of this Act or a test as to fitness or ability in pursuance of section 100 of the M1Road Traffic Act 1960 as originally enacted, being a test authorising the grant of a licence in respect of vehicles of the classes to which the application relates.

(9)Without prejudice to subsection (8) above, for the purposes of subsection (4)(a) above—

[F12(a)an applicant shall be treated as having passed a relevant test if, and on the day on which, he passed a test of competence to drive which—

(i)under a provision of the law of Northern Ireland or a relevant external law corresponding to subsections (3) and (4) or (6) of section 89 of this Act, either is prescribed in relation to vehicles of classes corresponding to the classes to which the application relates or is sufficient under that law for the granting of a licence authorising the driving of vehicles of those classes, or

(ii)is sufficient for the granting of a British Forces licence authorising the driving of vehicles of those classes, and]

(b)in the case of an applicant who is treated as having passed a relevant test by virtue of paragraph (a) above, disclosure of a disability to [F13his licensing authority] shall be treated as disclosure to the Secretary of State.

F14. . .

F15[(10)A person who holds a licence authorising him to drive a motor vehicle of any class and who drives a motor vehicle of that class on a road is guilty of an offence if the declaration included in accordance with subsection (1) above in the application on which the licence was granted was one which he knew to be false.]

Textual Amendments

F1Words in the definition of “disability" in s. 92(2) inserted (23.7.1996) by S.I. 1996/1974, reg. 2, Sch. 1 para. 3(2)

F3Word in s. 92(5)(a) repealed (1.7.1998) by S.I. 1998/1420, reg. 17, Sch.

F5S. 92(5)(c) and the word “or" immediately preceding it inserted (1.7.1998) by S.I. 1998/1420, reg. 4(2)

F6Words in s. 92(6)(a) substituted (23.7.1996 for specified purposes and otherwise 1.1.1997) by S.I. 1996/1974, reg. 2, Sch. 1 para. 3(3)

F7S. 92(7)-(7A) substituted (1.7.1998) for s. 92(7)(7A) by S.I. 1998/1420, reg. 4(3)

F8Words in s. 93(7ZB)(a)(7C) repealed (8.6.2015) by Road Safety Act 2006 (c. 49), s. 61(1)(10), Sch. 3 para. 4, Sch. 7(4); S.I. 2015/560, art. 3 (with arts. 4-9)

F10S. 92(7D) inserted (23.7.1996 for specified purposes and otherwise 1.1.1997) by S.I. 1996/1974, reg. 2, Sch. 1 para. 3(5)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Marginal Citations

93 Revocation of licence because of disability or prospective disability.E+W+S

(1)If the Secretary of State is at any time satisfied on inquiry—

(a)that a licence holder is suffering from a relevant disability, and

(b)that the Secretary of State would be required by virtue of section 92(3) F16. . . of this Act to refuse an application for the licence made by him at that time,

the Secretary of State may serve notice in writing on the licence holder revoking the licence with effect from such date as may be specified in the notice, not being earlier than the date of service of the notice.

(2)If the Secretary of State is at any time satisfied on inquiry that a licence holder is suffering from a prospective disability, the Secretary of State may—

(a)serve notice in writing on the licence holder revoking the licence with effect from such date as may be specified in the notice, not being earlier than the date of service of the notice, and

(b)on receipt of the licence so revoked F17... and of an application made for the purposes of this subsection, grant to the licence holder, free of charge, a new licence for a period determined by the Secretary of State under section 99(1)(b) of this Act.

[F18(2A)The Secretary of State may require a person to provide—

(a)evidence of his name, address, sex and date and place of birth, and

(b)a photograph which is a current likeness of him,

before granting a licence to him on an application made for the purposes of subsection (2) above [F19or subsection (6) below].]

(3)A person whose licence is revoked under subsection (1) or (2) above must deliver up the licence F17... to the Secretary of State forthwith after the revocation [F20and a person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to do so is guilty of an offence.]

(4)Where a person whose licence is revoked under subsection (1) or (2) above—

(a)is not in possession of his licence F21... in consequence of the fact that he has surrendered [F22it] to a constable or authorised person (within the meaning of Part III of the M2Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988) on receiving a fixed penalty notice given to him under section 54 of that Act but

(b)delivers [F23it] to the Secretary of State immediately on [F24its] return,

he is not in breach of the duty under subsection (3) above.

[F25(5)Where the Secretary of State—

(a)is at any time sent by the licensing authority in Northern Ireland a licence under a provision of Northern Ireland law corresponding to section 109B of this Act, and

(b)by virtue of the reasons given by that authority for sending the licence is at that time satisfied as mentioned in subsection (1)(a) and (b) above or that the licence holder is suffering from a prospective disability,

the Secretary of State may serve notice in writing on the licence holder revoking the licence with effect from such date as may be specified in the notice, not being earlier than the date of service of the notice.

(6)Where the reasons given by the licensing authority in Northern Ireland for sending the licence relate to a prospective disability of the holder, the Secretary of State may, on an application made for the purposes of this subsection, grant to the holder, free of charge, a new licence for a period determined by the Secretary of State under section 99(1)(b) of this Act.]

Textual Amendments

F16Words in s. 93(1)(b) omitted (23.7.1996 for specified purposes otherwise 1.1.1997) by virtue of S.I. 1996/1974, reg. 2, Sch. 1 para. 4

F17Words in s. 93(2)(b)(3) repealed (8.6.2015) by Road Safety Act 2006 (c. 49), s. 61(1)(10), Sch. 3 para. 5(2), Sch. 7(4); S.I. 2015/560, art. 3 (with arts. 4-9)

F18S. 93(2A) inserted (1.7.1998) by S.I. 1998/1420, reg. 5

Marginal Citations

94 Provision of information, etc. relating to disabilities.E+W+S

(1)If at any time during the period for which his licence remains in force, a licence holder becomes aware—

(a)that he is suffering from a relevant or prospective disability which he has not previously disclosed to the Secretary of State, or

(b)that a relevant or prospective disability from which he has at any time suffered (and which has been previously so disclosed) has become more acute since the licence was granted,

the licence holder must forthwith notify the Secretary of State in writing of the nature and extent of his disability.

(2)The licence holder is not required to notify the Secretary of State under subsection (1) above if—

(a)the disability is one from which he has not previously suffered, and

(b)he has reasonable grounds for believing that the duration of the disability will not extend beyond the period of three months beginning with the date on which he first becomes aware that he suffers from it.

(3)A person who fails without reasonable excuse to notify the Secretary of State as required by subsection (1) above is guilty of an offence.

F26[(3A)A person who holds a licence authorising him to drive a motor vehicle of any class and who drives a motor vehicle of that class on a road is guilty of an offence if at any earlier time while the licence was in force he was required by subsection (1) above to notify the Secretary of State but has failed without reasonable excuse to do so.]

(4)If [F27the prescribed circumstances obtain in relation to a person who is an applicant for, or the holder of, a licence of if] the Secretary of State has reasonable grounds for believing that a person who is an applicant for, or the holder of, a licence may be suffering from a relevant or prospective disability, subsection (5) below applies for the purpose of enabling the Secretary of State to satisfy himself whether or not [F28that person may be suffering from that or any other relevant or prospective disability].

(5)The Secretary of State may by notice in writing served on the applicant or holder—

(a)require him to provide the Secretary of State, within such reasonable time as may be specified in the notice, with such an authorisation as is mentioned in subsection (6) below, or

(b)require him, as soon as practicable, to arrange to submit himself for examination—

(i)by such registered medical practitioner or practitioners as may be nominated by the Secretary of State, or

(ii)with respect to a disability of a prescribed description, by such officer of the Secretary of State as may be so nominated,

for the purpose of determining whether or not he suffers or has at any time suffered from a relevant or prospective disability, or

(c)except where the application is for, or the licence held is, a provisional licence, require him to submit himself for [F29such a test of competence to drive as the Secretary of State directs in the notice.]

(6)The authorisation referred to in subsection (5)(a) above—

(a)shall be in such form and contain such particulars as may be specified in the notice by which it is required to be provided, and

(b)shall authorise any [F30registered healthcare professional identified in those particulars] to release to the Secretary of State any information which he may have, or which may be available to him, with respect to the question whether, and if so to what extent, the applicant or licence holder concerned may be suffering, or may at any time have suffered, from a relevant or prospective disability.

[F31(6A)Where a registered healthcare professional (A) identified in the particulars of an authorisation provided under subsection (5)(a) considers that another registered healthcare professional (P) has information with respect to the question set out in subsection (6)(b), A may give a copy of that authorisation to P.

(6B)Where a registered healthcare professional has received a copy of an authorisation in accordance with subsection (6A), that registered healthcare professional is authorised to release to the Secretary of State any information which they may have with respect to the question set out in subsection (6)(b).]

(7)If he considers it appropriate to do so in the case of any applicant or licence holder, the Secretary of State—

(a)may include in a single notice under subsection (5) above requirements under more than one paragraph of that subsection, and

(b)may at any time after the service of a notice under that subsection serve a further notice or notices under that subsection.

(8)If any person on whom a notice is served under subsection (5) above—

(a)fails without reasonable excuse to comply with a requirement contained in the notice, or

(b)fails any test of competence which he is required to take as mentioned in paragraph (c) of that subsection,

the Secretary of State may exercise his powers under sections 92 and 93 of this Act as if he were satisfied that the applicant or licence holder concerned is suffering from a relevant disability which is not prescribed for the purposes of any paragraph of section 92(4) of this Act or, if the Secretary of State so determines, as if he were satisfied that the applicant or licence holder concerned is suffering from a prospective disability.

(9)[F32Except where the requirement is made in the circumstances prescribed for the purposes of subsection (5) above, it shall be for the Secretary of State (and not for any other person) to] defray any fees or other reasonable expenses of a [F33registered healthcare professional] in connection with—

(a)the provision of information in pursuance of an authorisation required to be provided under subsection (5)(a) above, F34...

(b)any examination which a person is required to undergo as mentioned in subsection (5)(b) above [F35, or

(c)the provision of information authorised by subsection (6B)].

[F36(10)In this section, “registered healthcare professional” means a person on the register of one or more of the following bodies—

(a)the General Chiropractic Council;

(b)the General Medical Council;

(c)the General Optical Council;

(d)the General Osteopathic Council;

(e)the Nursing and Midwifery Council;

(f)the Health and Care Professions Council.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F3794A Driving after refusal or revocation of licence.E+W+S

(1)A person who drives a motor vehicle of any class on a road otherwise than in accordance with a licence authorising him to drive a motor vehicle of that class is guilty of an offence if—

F38(a)at any earlier time the Secretary of State—

(i)has in accordance with section 92(3) of this Act refused to grant such a licence,

(ii)has under [F39section 93] of this Act revoked such a licence, or

(iii)has served notice on that person in pursuance of section 99C(1) or (2) [F40or 109B] of this Act requiring him to deliver to the Secretary of State a Community licence [F41or Northern Ireland licence] authorising him to drive a motor vehicle of that or a corresponding class, and

F38(b)since that earlier time he has not been granted—

(i)a licence under this Part of this Act, or

(ii) a Community licence [F42or Northern Ireland licence],

authorising him to drive a motor vehicle of that or a corresponding class.]

(2)Section 88 of this Act shall apply in relation to subsection (1) above as it applies in relation to section 87.

Textual Amendments

F38S. 94A(1)(a)(b) substituted (23.7.1996 for specified purposes and otherwise 1.1.1997) by S.I. 1996/1974, reg. 2, Sch. 1 para. 5(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

95 Notification of refusal of insurance on grounds of health.E+W+S

(1)If an authorised insurer refuses to issue to any person such a policy of insurance as complies with the requirements of Part VI of this Act on the ground that the state of health of that person is not satisfactory, or on grounds which include that ground, the insurer shall as soon as practicable notify the Secretary of State of that refusal and of the full name, address, sex and date of birth of that person as disclosed by him to the insurer.

[F43(2)“Authorised insurer” means an insurer who is a member of the Motor Insurers Bureau (a company limited by guarantee and incorporated under the Companies Act 1929 on 14th June 1946).

(3)“Insurer” means—

(a)a person who has permission under [F44Part 4A] of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 to effect or carry out relevant contracts of insurance, F45...

F45(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)A contract is a relevant contract of insurance if the risk insured against relates to—

(a)the insured sustaining accidental injury or death as a result of travelling as a passenger;

(b)land vehicles;

(c)goods in transit; or

(d)motor vehicle liability.

(5)This section must be read with—

(a)section 22 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000;

(b)any order for the time being in force under that section; and

(c)Schedule 2 to that Act.]

96 Driving with uncorrected defective eyesight.E+W+S

(1)If a person drives a motor vehicle on a road while his eyesight is such (whether through a defect which cannot be or one which is not for the time being sufficiently corrected) that he cannot comply with any requirement as to eyesight prescribed under this Part of this Act for the purposes of tests of competence to drive, he is guilty of an offence.

(2)A constable having reason to suspect that a person driving a motor vehicle may be guilty of an offence under subsection (1) above may require him to submit to a test for the purpose of ascertaining whether, using no other means of correction than he used at the time of driving, he can comply with the requirement concerned.

(3)If that person refuses to submit to the test he is guilty of an offence.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

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