http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/22/section/29Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994An Act to consolidate the enactments relating to vehicle excise duty and the registration of vehicles.1994-07-05texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-08-06Expert Participation2026-07-15 Part III Offences Offence of using or keeping unlicensed vehicle Penalty for using or keeping unlicensed vehicle.291If a person uses, or keeps, a vehicle which is unlicensed he is guilty of an offence.2For the purposes of subsection (1) a vehicle is unlicensed if no vehicle licence or trade licence is in force for or in respect of the vehicle.2ASubsection (1) does not apply to a vehicle if—ait is an exempt vehicle in respect of which regulations under this Act require a nil licence to be in force and a nil licence is in force in respect of the vehicle, orbit is an exempt vehicle that is not one in respect of which regulations under this Act require a nil licence to be in force.2BSubsection (1) does not apply to a vehicle if—athe vehicle is being neither used nor kept on a public road, andbthe particulars and declaration required to be furnished and made by regulations under section 22(1D) have been furnished and made in accordance with the regulations and the terms of the declaration have at no time been breached.2CSubsection (1) does not apply to a vehicle if the vehicle is kept by a motor trader or vehicle tester at business premises.2DThe Secretary of State may by regulations make provision amending this section for the purpose of providing further exceptions from subsection (1) (or varying or revoking any such further exceptions).2EA person accused of an offence under subsection (1) is not entitled to the benefit of an exception from subsection (1) conferred by or under this section unless evidence is adduced that is sufficient to raise an issue with respect to that exception; but where evidence is so adduced it is for the prosecution to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the exception does not apply.3Subject to subsection (3A) a person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction to an excise penalty of—alevel 3 on the standard scale, orbfive times the amount of the vehicle excise duty chargeable in respect of using or keeping the vehicle on a public road,whichever is the greater.3AIn the case of a person who—ahas provided the Secretary of State with a declaration or statement (in pursuance of regulations under section 22) that the vehicle will not during a period specified in the declaration or statement be used or kept on a public road, andbcommits an offence under subsection (1) within a period prescribed by regulations,subsection (3) applies as if the reference in paragraph (a) to level 3 were a reference to level 4.4Where a vehicle for which a vehicle licence is in force is transferred by the holder of the licence to another person, the licence is to be treated for the purposes of subsection (2) as no longer in force ... .5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6The amount of the vehicle excise duty chargeable in respect of a vehicle is to be taken for the purposes of subsection (3)(b) to be an amount equal to the annual rate of duty applicable to the vehicle at the date on which the offence was committed.7Where in the case of a vehicle not being used on a public road that annual rate differs from the annual rate by reference to which the vehicle was at that date chargeable under section 2(3) to (6), the amount of the vehicle excise duty chargeable in respect of the vehicle is to be taken for those purposes to be an amount equal to the latter rate.8In the case of a conviction for a continuing offence, the offence is to be taken for the purposes of subsections (6) and (7) to have been committed on the date or latest date to which the conviction relates.Words in s. 29(3) inserted (29.4.1996 with effect as mentioned in Sch. 2 para. 9(2) of the amending Act) by 1996 c. 8, s. 23, Sch. 2 para. 9S. 29(3A) inserted (29.4.1996 with effect as mentioned in Sch. 2 para. 9(2) of the amending Act) by 1996 c. 8, s. 23, Sch. 2 para. 9Words in s. 29(7) substituted (30.11.2003) by Finance Act 2002 (c. 23), s. 19, Sch. 5 para. 7; S.I. 2003/3086, art. 2(b)S. 29(2A)-(2E) inserted (21.7.2008) by Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), Sch. 45 para. 2(3)Words in s. 29(7) substituted (21.7.2008) by Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), Sch. 45 para. 2(5)Words in s. 29(1) substituted (21.7.2008) by Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), Sch. 45 para. 2(2)Words in s. 29(3) substituted (21.7.2008) by Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), Sch. 45 para. 2(4)Words in s. 29(4) omitted (1.10.2014) by virtue of Finance Act 2014 (c. 26), Sch. 19 paras. 8(a), 22S. 29(5) omitted (1.10.2014) by virtue of Finance Act 2014 (c. 26), Sch. 19 paras. 8(b), 22S. 29(1) excluded by 1988 c. 52, s. 12E (as inserted (10.3.2017) by Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), ss. 73(3), 115(7); S.I. 2017/273, art. 2(a))