Part 8

Enforcement
Chapter 2

Common enforcement powers

Entry, search and seizure

Power to enter and inspect vehicles
248
1
For the purposes of carrying out any relevant functions, an enforcement officer may at any time—
a
enter and inspect any vehicle;
b
stop and detain any vehicle for the purposes of entering and inspecting it.
This is subject to section 249 (which provides that a warrant is necessary to enter a dwelling).
2
Where—
a
an enforcement officer has stopped a vehicle under this section, and
b
the officer considers that it would be impracticable to inspect the vehicle in the place where it has stopped,
the officer may require the vehicle to be taken to such place as the officer directs to enable the vehicle to be inspected.
3
An enforcement officer may require—
a
any person travelling in a vehicle, or
b
the registered keeper of a vehicle,
to afford such facilities and assistance with respect to matters under that person's control as the officer considers would facilitate the exercise of any power conferred by this section.
4
The powers conferred by this section may be exercised in any place (whether or not it is a place to which the public has access).
5
In this section “vehicle” does not include any vessel.
S. 248 in force at 12.1.2010 by S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 21
Pt. 8 Ch. 2 applied (with modifications) (N.I.) (18.9.2013) by Marine Act (Northern Ireland) 2013 (c. 10), ss. 39(1), 49 (with ss. 1(1), 46(3), 47)