Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994

• Citation: 1994 c. 22
• Sections: 244

Section 1 Duty and licences.

(1) A duty of excise (“ vehicle excise duty ”) shall be charged in respect of every mechanically propelled vehicle that—

(a) is registered under this Act (see section 21), or

(b) is not so registered but is used, or kept, on a public road in the United Kingdom.

(1A) Vehicle excise duty shall also be charged in respect of every thing (whether or not it is a vehicle) that has been, but has ceased to be, a mechanically propelled vehicle and—

(a) is registered under this Act, or

(b) is not so registered but is used, or kept, on a public road in the United Kingdom.

(1B) In the following provisions of this Act “ vehicle ” means—

(a) a mechanically propelled vehicle, or

(b) any thing (whether or not it is a vehicle) that has been, but has ceased to be, a mechanically propelled vehicle.

(1C) Vehicle excise duty charged in respect of a vehicle by subsection (1)(a) or (1A)(a) shall be paid on a licence to be taken out—

(a) by the person in whose name the vehicle is registered under this Act, or

(b) if that person is not the person keeping the vehicle, by either of those persons.

(1D) Vehicle excise duty charged in respect of a vehicle by subsection (1)(b) or (1A)(b) shall be paid on a licence to be taken out by the person keeping the vehicle.

(2) A licence taken out for a vehicle is in this Act referred to as a “vehicle licence”.

Section 2 Annual rates of duty.

(1) Vehicle excise duty in respect of a vehicle of any description is chargeable by reference to the annual rate currently applicable to it in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 1 which relate to vehicles of that description.

(2) Subsection (1) applies subject to the following provisions of this section.

(3) Where vehicle excise duty is charged by section 1(1)(b) or (1A)(b) in respect of the keeping of a vehicle on a road (and not in respect of its use), duty in respect of such keeping is chargeable by reference to the general rate currently specified in paragraph 1(2) of Schedule 1.

(4) Subsections (5) and (6) apply where—

(a) vehicle excise duty is charged by section 1(1)(a) or (1A)(a) in respect of a vehicle, and

(b) were the vehicle not registered under this Act, duty would not be charged by section 1(1)(b) or (1A)(b) in respect of the use of the vehicle on a road.

(5) Where one or more use licences have previously been issued for the vehicle, the duty charged by section 1(1)(a) or (1A)(a) is chargeable by reference to the annual rate currently applicable to a vehicle of the same description as that of the vehicle on the occasion of the issue of that licence (or the last of those licences).

(6) In any other case, the duty charged by section 1(1)(a) or (1A)(a) is chargeable by reference to the general rate currently specified in paragraph 1(2) of Schedule 1.

(7) In subsection (5) “ use licence ” means—

(a) a vehicle licence issued for the use of a vehicle, or

(b) a vehicle licence that is issued by reason of a vehicle being registered under this Act but which would have been issued for the use of the vehicle if the vehicle had not been registered under this Act.

Section 3 Duration of licences.

(1) A vehicle licence may be taken out for any vehicle for any period of twelve months running from the beginning of the month in which the licence first has effect.

(2) A vehicle licence may be taken out for a vehicle for a period of six months running from the beginning of the month in which the licence first has effect if—

(a) the annual rate of vehicle excise duty in respect of the vehicle exceeds £50, or

(b) the vehicle is one to which the annual rate of vehicle excise duty specified in paragraph 11C(2)(a) of Schedule 1 applies (tractive units: special cases).

(3) The Secretary of State may by order provide that a vehicle licence may be taken out for a vehicle for such period as may be specified in the order.

(4) An order under subsection (3) may specify—

(a) a period of a fixed number of months (not exceeding fifteen) running from the beginning of the month in which the licence first has effect,

(b) in the case of the first vehicle licence for a vehicle of such description as may be specified in the order, a period exceeding by such number of days (not exceeding thirty) as may be determined by or under the order the period for which the licence would otherwise have effect by virtue of subsection (1) or (2) or of an order under paragraph (a), or

(c) in the case of a vehicle of such description (or of such description and used in such circumstances) as may be specified in the order, a period of less than one month.

(5) An order under subsection (3)—

(a) may be made so as to apply only to vehicles of specified descriptions, and

(b) may make different provision for vehicles of different descriptions or for different circumstances.

(6) The power to make an order under subsection (3) includes power to make transitional provisions and to amend or repeal subsection (1) or (2).

(7) Neither subsection (2) nor any order under subsection (3) permits the first vehicle licence for a vehicle to be taken out for a period of less than twelve months if the annual rate of vehicle excise duty chargeable on the licence would be lower if it were not the first vehicle licence for the vehicle.

Section 4 Amount of duty.

(1) Where a vehicle licence for a vehicle of any description is taken out for a period of 12 months, vehicle excise duty is to be paid on the licence—

(a) at the annual rate of duty applicable to vehicles of that description, or

(b) if the duty is to be paid by more than one instalment pursuant to an agreement under section 19B, at a rate equal to 105% of that annual rate.

(2) Subject to subsection (2A), where a vehicle licence for a vehicle of any description is taken out for a period of 6 months, vehicle excise duty is to be paid on the licence—

(a) at a rate equal to 55% of the annual rate of duty applicable to vehicles of that description, or

(b) if the duty is to be paid by direct debit pursuant to an agreement under section 19B, at a rate equal to 52.5% of that annual rate.

(2A) In the case of a vehicle which is charged to HGV road user levy, the reference in subsection (2)(a) to 55% is to be read as a reference to 50%.

(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) Where a vehicle licence for a vehicle of any description is taken out for a period specified in an order under section 3(3), vehicle excise duty shall be paid on the licence at such rate as may be specified in the order.

(5) A rate of vehicle excise duty specified in an order under section 3(3) in relation to a licence taken out for a vehicle for a period of—

(a) a fixed number of months other than twelve, or

(b) less than one month,

shall be such as to bear to the annual rate of duty applicable to the vehicle no less proportion than the period for which the licence is taken out bears to a year.

(6) A rate of vehicle excise duty specified in an order under section 3(3) in relation to a licence taken out for a vehicle for a period of three months or a period of four months shall not exceed for each month of the period ten per cent. of the annual rate of duty applicable to the vehicle.

(7) The power to make an order under section 3(3) includes power to amend or repeal subsection (2) ... of this section.

Section 5 Exempt vehicles.

(1) No vehicle excise duty shall be charged in respect of a vehicle if it is an exempt vehicle.

(2) Schedule 2 specifies descriptions of vehicles which are exempt vehicles.

(3) The Secretary of State may by order amend Schedule 2 in order to make provision about the descriptions of—

(a) tractors, and

(b) vehicles used for purposes relating to agriculture, horticulture or forestry,

that are to be exempt vehicles.

(4) An order under subsection (3) may in particular repeal any of paragraphs 20A to 20D of Schedule 2.

Section 5A Additional power to exempt foreign vehicles

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations confer an exemption from vehicle excise duty in respect of a foreign vehicle.

(2) The regulations may, for or in connection with conferring the exemption, amend subordinate legislation made under this Act or the Motor Vehicles (International Circulation) Act 1952.

(3) The regulations may provide that the exemption of a foreign vehicle from vehicle excise duty is—

(a) subject to conditions;

(b) limited to a specified period.

(4) Regulations under this section may make—

(a) provision which applies generally or for particular purposes;

(b) retrospective provision.

(5) A provision of regulations under this section that has the effect of removing the exemption of a foreign vehicle from vehicle excise duty must not be made so as to have retrospective effect.

(6) In this section—

“ foreign vehicle ” means a vehicle that is registered under the law of any territory outside the United Kingdom;

“ specified ” means specified in the regulations;

“ subordinate legislation ” means Orders in Council, orders and regulations (including any regulations made under an Order in Council).

Section 6 Collection etc. of duty.

(1) Vehicle excise duty shall be levied by the Secretary of State.

(2) For the purpose of levying vehicle excise duty the Secretary of State and his officers (including any body or person authorised by the Secretary of State to act as his agent for the purposes of this Act) have the same powers, duties and liabilities as the Commissioners of Customs and Excise and their officers have with respect to—

(a) duties of excise (other than duties on imported goods),

(b) the issue and cancellation of licences on which duties of excise are imposed, and

(c) other matters (not being matters relating only to duties on imported goods),

under the enactments relating to duties of excise and excise licences.

(3) The enactments relating to duties of excise, or punishments and penalties in connection with those duties, (other than enactments relating only to duties on imported goods) apply accordingly.

(4) Subsections (2) and (3) have effect subject to the provisions of this Act (including in particular, in the case of subsection (3), subsection (6) of this section and sections 47, 48 and 56).

(5) The Secretary of State has with respect to vehicle excise duty and licences under this Act the powers given to the Commissioners of Customs and Excise by the enactments relating to duties of excise and excise licences for the mitigation or remission of any penalty or part of a penalty.

(6) Vehicle excise duty, and any sums received by the Secretary of State by virtue of this Act by way of fees, shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

Section 7 Issue of vehicle licences.

(1) Every person applying for a vehicle licence shall—

(a) make any such a declaration, and

(b) furnish any such particulars and any such documentary or other evidence ,

(whether or not with respect to the vehicle for which the licence is to be taken out) as may be specified by the Secretary of State.

(2) The declarations , particulars and evidence which may be so specified include, in relation to a person applying for a licence for a goods vehicle or a special vehicle , a declaration as to, particulars of and evidence in relation to , any of the matters specified in subsection (3) as to which the Secretary of State may require information with a view to an alteration in the basis on which vehicle excise duty is chargeable in respect of goods vehicles or, as the case may be, special vehicles .

(3) The matters referred to in subsection (2) are—

(a) the construction of the vehicle,

(b) the vehicle’s revenue weight,

(ba) the place where the vehicle has been or is normally kept, and

(c) the use to which the vehicle has been or is likely to be put.

(3A) A person applying for a licence shall not be required to make a declaration specified for the purposes of subsection (1)(a) if he agrees to comply with such conditions as may be specified in relation to him by the Secretary of State.

(3B) The conditions which may be specified under subsection (3A) include

(a) a condition that particulars for the time being specified for the purposes of subsection (1)(b) are furnished by being transmitted to the Secretary of State by such electronic means as he may specify ; and

(b) a condition requiring such payments as may be specified by the Secretary of State to be made to him in respect of—

(i) steps taken by him for facilitating compliance by any person with any condition falling within paragraph (a); and

(ii) in such circumstances as may be so specified, the processing of applications for vehicle licences where particulars are transmitted in accordance with that paragraph.

(4) A vehicle licence is issued for the vehicle specified in the application for the licence (and for no other).

(5) The Secretary of State is not required to issue a vehicle licence for which an application is made unless he is satisfied—

(a) that the licence applied for is the appropriate licence for the vehicle specified in the application, and

(b) in the case of an application for a licence for a vehicle purporting to be the first application for a licence for the vehicle, that a licence has not previously been issued for the vehicle.

(5A) The Secretary of State is not required to issue a vehicle licence for a heavy goods vehicle if not satisfied that the appropriate HGV road user levy has been paid.

(5B) The Secretary of State may not issue a vehicle licence in respect of a vehicle—

(a) completed before IP completion day,

(b) which is to be, or is normally, kept at a place in Great Britain, and

(c) in respect of which there is an EC certificate of conformity issued in reliance on a relevant European approval granted by or on the authority of an EU State,

unless the vehicle satisfies one of the conditions in subsection (5C).

(5C) The conditions are—

(a) the vehicle is qualifying Northern Ireland goods;

(b) the vehicle was in the United Kingdom immediately before IP completion day;

(c) a relevant UK certificate has effect with respect to the vehicle.

(5D) The Secretary of State may not issue a vehicle licence in respect of a vehicle which—

(a) is completed on or after IP completion day, and

(b) is to be kept, or is normally kept, at a place in Great Britain,

unless the vehicle satisfies one of the conditions in subsection (5E).

(5E) The conditions are—

(a) the vehicle is qualifying Northern Ireland goods in respect of which there is an EC certificate of conformity issued in reliance on a relevant European approval granted by or on the authority of an EU State;

(b) a relevant UK certificate has effect with respect to the vehicle.

(5F) The Secretary of State may not issue a vehicle licence in respect of a vehicle—

(a) completed before IP completion day, and

(b) which is to be, or is normally, kept at a place in Northern Ireland,

unless the vehicle satisfies one of the conditions in subsection (5G).

(5G) The conditions are—

(a) an EC certificate of conformity issued in reliance on a relevant European approval granted by or on the authority of an EU State has effect in respect of the vehicle;

(b) the vehicle was in the United Kingdom immediately before IP completion day and a relevant UK certificate issued before that day has effect with respect to it.

(5H) The Secretary of State may not issue a vehicle licence in respect of a vehicle—

(a) which is completed on or after IP completion day, and

(b) which is, or is to be, kept at a place in Northern Ireland,

unless the vehicle satisfies one of the conditions in subsection (5I).

(5I) The conditions are—

(a) an EC certificate of conformity issued in reliance on a relevant European approval granted by or on the authority of an EU State has effect in respect of the vehicle;

(b) a relevant Northern Ireland certificate has effect in respect of the vehicle.

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(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8) In this section—

“the appropriate HGV road user levy”, in relation to a vehicle licence, means the HGV road user levy charged for the period for which the licence would have effect;

“ EC certificate of conformity ” has the meaning given in section 85 of the Road Traffic Act 1988;

“ EU State ” means—

in relation to the period before IP completion day, a member State other than the United Kingdom, and

in relation to the period on or after IP completion day, a member State;

“heavy goods vehicle” has the same meaning as in the HGV Road User Levy Act 2013;

“ qualifying Northern Ireland goods ” has the meaning given by regulations made under section 8C(6) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018;

“ relevant European approval ” has the meaning given in section 55(1C) of the Road Traffic Act 1988;

“ relevant Northern Ireland certificate ” means—

a certificate issued pursuant to regulation 16(7) or 18(10) of the Road Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 2020 ( S.I. 2020/818 ), as they apply in and in relation to Northern Ireland,

a certificate of conformity issued under Article 31A(3) of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981,

a Department’s approval certificate issued under Article 31A(4) or (5) of that Order, or

an EC certificate of conformity issued in reliance on a valid relevant European approval granted by or on the authority of the Secretary of State in relation to Northern Ireland;

“ relevant UK certificate ” means—

a certificate of conformity issued under section 57 of the Road Traffic Act 1988,

a Minister's approval certificate issued under section 58 of that Act,

a certificate issued pursuant to regulation 25(10) or 27(10) of the Road Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/717),

a certificate issued pursuant to regulation 16(7) or 18(10) of the Road Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 2020 ( S.I. 2020/818 ),

a certificate of conformity issued under Article 31A(3) of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981,

a Department's approval certificate issued under Article 31A(4) or (5) of that Order, or

an EC certificate of conformity which was issued otherwise than in reliance on a valid relevant European approval granted by or on the authority of an EU State;

“special vehicle” has the same meaning as in paragraph 4 of Schedule 1.

Section 7A Supplement payable on vehicle ceasing to be appropriately covered

(1) Regulations may make provision for a supplement of a prescribed amount to be payable where—

(a) a vehicle has ceased to be appropriately covered,

(b) the vehicle is not, before the end of the relevant prescribed period, appropriately covered as mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1A) below with effect from the time immediately after it so ceased or appropriately covered as mentioned in paragraph (d) of that subsection, and

(c) the circumstances are not such as may be prescribed.

(1A) For the purposes of this section and section 7B a vehicle is appropriately covered if (and only if)—

(a) a vehicle licence or trade licence is in force for or in respect of the vehicle,

(b) the vehicle 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 it,

(c) the vehicle is an exempt vehicle that is not one in respect of which regulations under this Act require a nil licence to be in force, or

(d) the vehicle is neither kept nor used on a public road and the declarations and particulars required to be delivered by regulations under section 22(1D) have been delivered in relation to it in accordance with the regulations ... .

(1B) Where a vehicle for ... which a vehicle licence is in force is transferred by the holder of the vehicle licence to another person, the vehicle licence is to be treated for the purposes of subsection (1A) as no longer in force ... .

(1C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(1D) In subsection (1)(b) “ the relevant prescribed period ” means such period beginning with the date on which the vehicle ceased to be appropriately covered as is prescribed.

(2) A supplement under this section—

(a) shall be payable by such person, or jointly and severally by such persons, as may be prescribed;

(b) shall become payable at such time as may be prescribed;

(c) may be of an amount that varies according to the length of the period between—

(i) the time of a notification (in accordance with regulations under section 7B(1)) to, or in relation to, a person by whom it is payable, and

(ii) the time at which it is paid.

(3) A supplement under this section that has become payable—

(a) is in addition to any vehicle excise duty charged in respect of the vehicle concerned;

(b) does not cease to be payable by reason of the vehicle being again appropriately covered after the supplement has become payable;

(c) may, without prejudice to section 6 or 7B(2) and (3) or any other provision of this Act, be recovered as a debt due to the Crown.

(4) In this section—

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) “ prescribed ” means prescribed by, or determined in accordance with, regulations;

(c) “ regulations ” means regulations made by the Secretary of State with the consent of the Treasury.

(5) No regulations to which subsection (6) applies shall be made under this section unless a draft of the regulations has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

(6) This subsection applies to regulations under this section that—

(a) provide for a supplement to be payable in a case where one would not otherwise be payable,

(b) increase the amount of a supplement,

(c) provide for a supplement to become payable earlier than it would otherwise be payable, or

(d) provide for a supplement to be payable by a person by whom the supplement would not otherwise be payable.

Section 7B Section 7A supplements: further provisions

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for notifying the person in whose name a vehicle is registered under this Act about—

(a) any supplement under section 7A that may or has become payable in relation to the vehicle;

(b) when the vehicle ceasing to be appropriately covered may result in the person being guilty of an offence under section 31A.

(2) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision—

(a) for assessing an amount of supplement due under section 7A from any person and for notifying that amount to that person or any person acting in a representative capacity in relation to that person;

(b) for an amount assessed and notified under such regulations to be deemed to be an amount of vehicle excise duty due from the person assessed and recoverable accordingly;

(c) for review of decisions under such regulations and for appeals with respect to such decisions or decisions on such reviews.

(3) Regulations under subsection (2) may, in particular, make provision that, subject to any modifications that the Secretary of State considers appropriate, corresponds or is similar to—

(a) any provision made by sections 12A and 12B of the Finance Act 1994 (assessments related to excise duty matters), or

(b) any provision made by sections 13A to 16 of that Act (customs and excise reviews and appeals).

(4) Sums received by way of supplements under section 7A shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

Section 7C Recovery of section 7A supplements: Scotland

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide for the recovery of supplement that has become payable under section 7A by diligence authorised by summary warrant.

(2) Regulations under subsection (1) may, in particular, provide—

(a) for such summary warrants—

(i) to be granted by the sheriff on the application of the Secretary of State; and

(ii) to authorise any of the diligences mentioned in subsection (3);

(b) for such applications to be accompanied by a certificate mentioned in subsection (4); and

(c) for the fees and outlays of sheriff officers incurred in executing such summary warrants to be chargeable against the debtor.

(3) The diligences referred to in subsection (2)(a)(ii) are—

(a) an attachment;

(b) an earnings arrestment;

(c) an arrestment and action of furthcoming or sale.

(4) The certificate referred to in subsection (2)(b) is a certificate by the Secretary of State —

(a) stating that none of the persons specified in the application has paid the supplement due;

(b) stating that payment of the amount due from each such person has been demanded from him;

(c) stating whether in response to that demand any such person disputes liability to pay; and

(d) specifying the amount due from and unpaid by each such person.

(5) No fee shall be chargeable by the sheriff officer against the debtor for—

(a) collecting; or

(b) accounting to the Secretary of State for,

sums paid to him by the debtor in respect of the amount owing.

(6) No summary warrant for recovery of supplement payable under section 7A may be granted against a person if—

(a) he disputes liability to pay; or

(b) an action for payment to recover such supplement from him has already been raised.

(7) Failure to respond to a demand to pay shall not be taken to mean liability to pay is disputed.

(8) An action for payment to recover supplement payable under section 7A may be raised against a person notwithstanding that a summary warrant has already been granted for recovery of such supplement from him but only if none of the diligences mentioned in subsection (3) has been executed against him.

(9) Where such an action is raised, the summary warrant shall cease to have effect in relation to such person.

(10) This section extends to Scotland only.

Section 8 Vehicles removed into UK.

(1) Where an application is made for a vehicle licence for a vehicle which—

(a) appears to the Secretary of State to have been removed into the United Kingdom from a place outside the United Kingdom, and

(b) is not already registered under this Act,

the Secretary of State may refuse to issue the licence unless subsection (2) applies to the vehicle.

(2) This subsection applies to a vehicle if the Secretary of State is satisfied in relation to the removal of the vehicle into the United Kingdom—

(a) that any value added tax charged on any supply involving the removal of the vehicle into the United Kingdom has been or will be paid or remitted,

(b) that any value added tax or customs duty charged on the importation of the vehicle ... has been or will be paid or remitted, or

(c) that no such tax or duty has been charged on the ... importation of the vehicle or on any supply involving its removal into the United Kingdom.

Section 9 Temporary vehicle licences.

(1) Where an application is made for a vehicle licence for a vehicle for any period, the Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit, instead of issuing immediately a vehicle licence for that period—

(a) issue a vehicle licence (a “temporary licence”) for fourteen days, or such other period as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State, having effect from such day as may be so prescribed, and

(b) from time to time issue a further temporary licence for the vehicle.

(2) Nothing in this section affects the amount of any duty payable on a vehicle licence.

(3) Where an application for a vehicle licence is made to a body (other than a Northern Ireland department) authorised by the Secretary of State to act as his agent for the purpose of issuing licences, the body may, before issuing a licence under subsection (1)(a), require the applicant to pay to it in connection with the issue a fee of £2.35

(4) The Secretary of State may by regulations substitute for the sum for the time being specified in subsection (3) such other sum as may be prescribed by the regulations.

Section 10 Transfer ... of vehicle licences.

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Section 11 Issue of trade licences.

(1) Where—

(a) a motor trader or vehicle tester, or

(b) a person who satisfies the Secretary of State that he intends to commence business as a motor trader or vehicle tester,

applies to the Secretary of State (in the manner specified by the Secretary of State) to take out a licence under this section (a “trade licence”), the Secretary of State may, subject to the conditions prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State , issue such a licence to him on payment of vehicle excise duty at the rate applicable to the licence.

(1A) The power to prescribe conditions under subsection (1) includes, in particular, the power to prescribe conditions which are to be complied with after the licence is issued.

(2) In the case of a motor trader who is a manufacturer of vehicles, a trade licence is a licence for—

(a) all vehicles which are from time to time temporarily in his possession in the course of his business as a motor trader,

(b) all vehicles kept and used by him solely for purposes of conducting research and development in the course of his business as such a manufacturer, and

(c) all vehicles which are from time to time submitted to him by other manufacturers for testing on roads in the course of that business.

(3) In the case of any other motor trader, a trade licence is a licence for all vehicles which are from time to time temporarily in his possession in the course of his business as a motor trader.

(4) In the case of a vehicle tester, a trade licence is a licence for all vehicles which are from time to time submitted to him for testing in the course of his business as a vehicle tester.

Section 12 Use of vehicles by holders of trade licences.

(1) The holder of a trade licence is not entitled by virtue of the licence—

(a) to use more than one vehicle at any one time,

(b) to use a vehicle for any purpose other than a purpose prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State, or

(c) except in such circumstances as may be so prescribed, to keep any vehicle on a road if it is not being used on the road.

(2) The Secretary of State shall by regulations prescribe—

(a) the conditions subject to which trade licences are to be issued, and

(b) the purposes for which the holder of a trade licence may use a vehicle by virtue of the licence.

(3) The purposes which may be prescribed as those for which the holder of a trade licence may use a vehicle under the licence shall not include the conveyance of goods or burden of any description other than—

(a) a load which is carried solely for the purpose of testing or demonstrating the vehicle or any of its accessories or equipment and which is returned to the place of loading without having been removed from the vehicle except for that purpose or in the case of accident,

(b) in the case of a vehicle which is being delivered or collected, a load consisting of another vehicle used or to be used for travel from or to the place of delivery or collection,

(c) a load built in as part of the vehicle or permanently attached to it,

(d) a load consisting of parts, accessories or equipment designed to be fitted to the vehicle and of tools for fitting them to the vehicle, or

(e) a load consisting of a trailer other than a trailer which is for the time being a disabled vehicle.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (3), where a vehicle is so constructed that a trailer may by partial superimposition be attached to the vehicle in such a manner as to cause a substantial part of the weight of the trailer to be borne by the vehicle, the vehicle and the trailer are deemed to constitute a single vehicle.

(5) In subsection (3)(e) “ disabled vehicle ” includes a vehicle which has been abandoned or is scrap.

Section 13 Trade licences: duration and amount of duty.

(1) A trade licence may be taken out—

(a) for one calendar year,

(b) for a period of six months beginning with the first day of January or of July, or

(c) where subsection (2) applies, for a period of seven, eight, nine, ten or eleven months beginning with the first day of any month other than January or July and ending no later than the relevant date .

(1A) In subsection (1)(c) “ the relevant date ” means—

(a) in relation to a licence taken out for a period beginning with the first day of any of the months February to June in any year, 31st December of that year;

(b) in relation to a licence taken out for a period beginning with the first day of any of the months August to December in any year, 30th June of the following year.

(2) This subsection applies where the person taking out the licence—

(a) is not a motor trader or vehicle tester (having satisfied the Secretary of State as mentioned in section 11(1)(b)), or

(b) does not hold any existing trade licence.

(3) The rate of duty applicable to a trade licence taken out for a calendar year (“the applicable annual rate”) is—

(a) the annual rate currently applicable to a vehicle under sub-paragraph (1)(d) of paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 if the licence is to be used only for vehicles to which that paragraph applies, and

(b) otherwise, the basic goods vehicle rate currently applicable .

(3A) Where a trade licence is taken out for a calendar year and the duty is to be paid by more than one instalment pursuant to an agreement under section 19B, the rate of duty is 105% of the applicable annual rate.

(4) The rate of duty applicable to a trade licence taken out for a period of 6 months is—

(a) 55% of the applicable annual rate for a corresponding trade licence taken out for a calendar year, or

(b) if the duty is to be paid by direct debit pursuant to an agreement under section 19B, 52.5% of that applicable annual rate.

(5) The rate of duty applicable to a trade licence taken out for a period of seven, eight, nine, ten or eleven months is the aggregate of—

(a) fifty-five per cent. of the applicable annual rate for a corresponding trade licence taken out for a calendar year, and

(b) one-sixth of the amount arrived at under paragraph (a) in respect of each month in the period in excess of six.

(6) In determining a rate of duty under subsection (3A), (4) or (5) any fraction of five pence—

(a) if it exceeds two and a half pence, shall be treated as five pence, and

(b) otherwise, shall be disregarded.

(7) In this section “ the basic goods vehicle rate ” means the annual rate applicable, by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 9 of Schedule 1, to a rigid goods vehicle which—

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) falls within column (3) of the table in that sub-paragraph and has a revenue weight exceeding 3,500 kilograms and not exceeding 7,500 kilograms.

Section 14 Trade licences: supplementary.

(1) Nothing in sections 11 to 13 prevents a person entitled to take out a trade licence from holding two or more trade licences.

(2) The holder of a trade licence may at any time request that the Secretary of State cancel the licence .

(3) Where—

(a) the Secretary of State refuses an application for a trade licence by a person entitled to make such an application, and

(b) the applicant, within the period prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State, requests him to review his decision,

the Secretary of State shall comply with the request and (in doing so) consider any representations made to him in writing during that period by the applicant.

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 15 Vehicles becoming chargeable to duty at higher rate.

(1) Where—

(a) a vehicle licence has been taken out for a vehicle at any rate of vehicle excise duty, and

(b) at any time while the licence is in force the vehicle is used so as to subject it to a higher rate,

duty at the higher rate becomes chargeable in respect of the licence for the vehicle.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) a vehicle is used so as to subject it to a higher rate if it is used in an altered condition, in a manner or for a purpose which—

(a) brings it within, or

(b) if it was used solely in that condition, in that manner or for that purpose, would bring it within,

a description of vehicle to which a higher rate of duty is applicable.

(2A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) For the purposes of subsection (1) a vehicle in respect of which a lower rate of duty is chargeable by virtue of regulations under paragraph 13 of Schedule 1 is also used so as to subject it to a higher rate if it is used in contravention of a condition imposed under or by virtue of sub-paragraph (2) of that paragraph.

(4) Subject to section 7(5), Where duty at a higher rate becomes chargeable under subsection (1) in respect of a vehicle licence, the licence may be exchanged for a new vehicle licence for the period—

(a) beginning with the date on which the higher rate of duty becomes chargeable, and

(b) ending with the period for which the original licence was issued.

(5) A new vehicle licence may be obtained under subsection (4) only on payment of the appropriate proportion of the difference between—

(a) the amount of duty payable on the original licence, and

(b) the amount of duty payable on a vehicle licence taken out for the period for which the original licence was issued but at the higher rate of duty.

(6) For the purposes of subsection (5) “ the appropriate proportion ” means the proportion which the number of months in the period—

(a) beginning with the date on which the higher rate of duty becomes chargeable, and

(b) ending with the period for which the original licence was issued,

bears to the number of months in the whole of the period for which the original licence was issued (any incomplete month being treated as a whole month).

(7) If the higher rate has been changed since the issue of the original licence, the amount under subsection (5)(b) is calculated as if that rate had been in force at all material times at the level at which it is in force when it becomes chargeable.

Section 15A Exception for tractive units from charge at higher rate

(1) Where—

(a) a vehicle licence has been taken out for a tractive unit, and

(b) the licence was taken out at a rate of vehicle excise duty applicable to a tractive unit which is to be used with semi-trailers with a minimum number of axles,

duty at a higher rate does not become chargeable under section 15 by reason only that while the licence is in force the tractive unit is used with a semi-trailer with fewer axles than that minimum number, if the condition in subsection (2) is satisfied.

(2) The condition is that the rate of duty at which the licence was taken out is equal to or exceeds the rate which would have been applicable if the revenue weight of the tractive unit had been a weight equal to the actual laden weight, at the time of the use, of the articulated vehicle consisting of the tractive unit and the semi-trailer.

Section 16 Exceptions from charge at higher rate in case of tractive units.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 17 Other exceptions from charge at higher rate.

(1) Where a vehicle licence has been taken out for a vehicle of any description, duty at a higher rate applicable to a vehicle of another description does not become chargeable under section 15 unless the vehicle as used while the licence is in force satisfies all the conditions which must be satisfied in order to bring the vehicle into the other description of vehicle for the purposes of vehicle excise duty.

(2) Where—

(a) duty has been paid in respect of a vehicle at a rate applicable under Part VIII of Schedule 1, and

(b) the vehicle is to a substantial extent being used for the conveyance of goods or burden belonging to a particular person (whether the person keeping the vehicle or not),

duty at a higher rate does not become chargeable under section 15 by reason only that the vehicle is used for the conveyance without charge in the course of their employment of employees of the person to whom the goods or burden belong.

(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8) This section does not have effect where section 15 applies by reason of the use of a vehicle in contravention of a condition imposed under or by virtue of paragraph 13(2) of Schedule 1.

Section 18 Vehicles for export becoming liable to VAT.

(1) Where, by virtue of sub-paragraph (2) of paragraph 23 of Schedule 2, a vehicle which is an exempt vehicle under sub-paragraph (1) of that paragraph is deemed never to have been an exempt vehicle under that sub-paragraph, vehicle excise duty is payable—

(a) by the person by whom the vehicle was acquired from its manufacturer, in relation to the whole period since the registration of the vehicle, or

(b) by any other person who is for the time being the keeper of the vehicle, in relation to the period since the vehicle was first kept by him,

unless, or except to the extent that, the Secretary of State waives payment of the duty.

(2) Subsection (1) is without prejudice to section 30; but duty with respect to a vehicle is not payable by a person under that subsection in relation to any part of a period if an amount with respect to it has been ordered to be paid by him under that section in relation to the part of the period.

Section 19 Rebates

(1) If any of the rebate conditions is satisfied in relation to a vehicle in respect of which a vehicle licence is in force, the relevant person is entitled to receive (by way of rebate of duty paid on the licence) the relevant amount from the Secretary of State .

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) The rebate conditions are as follows—

(a) the vehicle has been stolen and the Secretary of State has been notified of that by the relevant person,

(b) the vehicle has been destroyed and the Secretary of State has been notified of that by the relevant person,

(c) a nil licence for the vehicle has been issued in accordance with regulations under section 22,

(d) a qualifying application for a vehicle licence for the vehicle has been received by the Secretary of State,

(e) the vehicle is neither used nor kept on a public road and the particulars and declaration required to be furnished and made by regulations under section 22(1D) have been furnished and made in relation to it in accordance with the regulations,

(f) the vehicle has been sold or disposed of and the particulars prescribed by regulations under section 22(1)(d) have been furnished in relation to it in accordance with the regulations, or

(g) the vehicle has been removed from the United Kingdom with a view to its remaining permanently outside the United Kingdom and the Secretary of State has been notified of that by the relevant person,

(h) a relevant application for a vehicle licence for the vehicle has been received by the Secretary of State.

(3ZA) An application for a vehicle licence is a qualifying application for the purposes of subsection (3)(d) if—

(a) paragraph 1ZA of Schedule 1 applies to the vehicle when the application is made, but

(b) that paragraph did not apply to the vehicle when the licence which is unexpired when the application is made was taken out.

(3ZB) An application for a vehicle licence is a relevant application for the purposes of subsection (3)(h) if—

(a) there is an unexpired licence for the vehicle in respect of which the application is made,

(b) when the unexpired licence was taken out, the vehicle was chargeable to HGV road user levy under section 5 of the HGV Road User Levy Act 2013 at a rate applicable to a vehicle that does not meet Euro 6 emissions standards, and

(c) the vehicle now meets those standards, and an application for a rebate of HGV road user levy has been made under section 7 of that Act as a result of an entitlement arising under subsection (2A) of that section.

(3A) Subject to subsections (3B) and (3C) , the relevant amount is an amount equal to one-twelfth of the annual rate of duty chargeable on the licence (at the time when it was taken out) in respect of each complete month of the period of the currency of the licence which is unexpired when the rebate condition is satisfied .

(3B) Where—

(a) the licence is the first vehicle licence for the vehicle,

(b) the rebate condition in question is that in subsection (3)(e), (f) or (g), and

(c) the annual rate of duty rate chargeable on the licence (at the time when it was taken out) would have been lower if it had not been the first vehicle licence for the vehicle,

the relevant amount is an amount equal to one-twelfth of that lower annual rate of duty in respect of each such complete month.

(3C) Where the annual rate of duty chargeable on a vehicle licence at the time when it was taken out is determined in accordance with paragraph 1GE(2) of Schedule 1 (higher rates of duty: vehicles with a price exceeding £40,000) the relevant amount is given by—

where—

H is the annual rate of duty chargeable on the licence at the time when it was taken out;

R is the number of complete months (if any) of that part of the currency of the licence which is unexpired—

in respect of which the rebate condition is satisfied, and

which are within the period of six years beginning with the day of registration;

L is the annual rate of duty that would have been chargeable on the licence at the time when it was taken out if that time had been after the period of six years beginning with the day of registration;

P is the number of complete months (if any) of that part of the currency of the licence which is unexpired—

in respect of which the rebate condition is satisfied, and

which are not within R.

(3D) In subsection (3C) the “ day of registration ” means the day on which the vehicle in respect of which the licence is in force was first registered under this Act or under the law of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom.

(4) In subsections (1) and (3) “ the relevant person ” means the person in whose name the vehicle is registered immediately before the rebate condition is satisfied.

(5) The Secretary of State may specify requirements which must be complied with before a rebate condition can be satisfied.

(5A) The requirements that may be specified include (in particular)—

(a) a requirement that particulars which are required to be furnished to the Secretary of State are transmitted to the Secretary of State by such electronic means as may be specified, and

(b) in a case within subsection (3)(a), requirements relating to the reporting to the police that the vehicle has been stolen.

(7) Where any of the rebate conditions (other than the condition in subsection (3)(h)) is satisfied in relation to a licence, the licence ceases to be in force.

(7A) Where the rebate condition in subsection (3)(h) is satisfied in relation to a licence, the licence ceases to be in force immediately before the first day of the period for which the relevant person is treated as not having paid levy in respect of the vehicle as a result of section 19(3)(c) of the HGV Road User Levy Act 2013.

(8) Where a request is made under section 14(2), the holder of the trade licence is entitled to receive from the Secretary of State (by way of rebate of the duty paid on the licence) an amount equal to one-twelfth of the annual rate of duty chargeable on the licence (at the time when it was taken out) in respect of each complete month of the period of the currency of the licence which is unexpired at the date the request is received by the Secretary of State .

Section 19A Payment for licences by cheque.

(1) The Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit, issue a vehicle licence or a trade licence on receipt of a cheque for the amount of the duty payable on it.

(2) In a case where—

(a) a vehicle licence or a trade licence is issued to a person on receipt of a cheque which is subsequently dishonoured, and

(b) the Secretary of State sends a notice ... to the person informing him that the licence is void as from the time when it was granted,

the licence shall be void as from the time when it was granted.

(3) In a case where—

(a) a vehicle licence or a trade licence is issued to a person on receipt of a cheque which is subsequently dishonoured,

(b) the Secretary of State sends a notice ... to the person requiring him to secure that the duty payable on the licence is paid within such reasonable period as is specified in the notice,

(c) the requirement in the notice is not complied with, and

(d) the Secretary of State sends a further notice ... to the person informing him that the licence is void as from the time when it was granted,

the licence shall be void as from the time when it was granted.

(4) Section 102 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 (payment for excise licences by cheque) shall not apply in relation to a vehicle licence or a trade licence.

Section 19B Issue of licences before payment of duty.

(1) The Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit, issue a vehicle licence or a trade licence to a person who has agreed with the Secretary of State to pay the duty payable on the licence in a manner provided for in the agreement.

(1A) An agreement to pay the duty payable on a vehicle licence or a trade licence may provide—

(a) for the duty to be paid by instalments,

(b) that if any of the rebate conditions in section 19(3) is satisfied in relation to the vehicle for which the licence was issued, the licence is to cease to be in force from the time specified in the agreement and any instalments falling due after that time are no longer to be due, and

(c) for any instalments falling due after a request under section 14(2) is received by the Secretary of State no longer to be due.

(2) In a case where—

(a) a vehicle licence or a trade licence is issued to a person in accordance with subsection (1),

(b) the duty payable on the licence is not received by the Secretary of State in accordance with the agreement, and

(c) the Secretary of State sends a notice ... to the person informing him that the licence is void as from the time when it was granted,

the licence shall be void as from the time when it was granted.

(3) In a case where—

(a) paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (2) apply,

(b) the Secretary of State sends a notice ... to the person requiring him to secure that the duty payable on the licence is paid within such reasonable period as is specified in the notice,

(c) the requirement in the notice is not complied with, and

(d) the Secretary of State sends a further notice ... to the person informing him that the licence is void as from the time when it was granted,

the licence shall be void as from the time when it was granted.

(4) But subsections (2) and (3) do not apply in a case where the agreement under subsection (1) provides for the duty payable to be paid by more than one instalment (and for this case see subsection (5)).

(5) In a case where—

(a) a vehicle licence or a trade licence is issued to a person in accordance with subsection (1),

(b) the duty payable on the licence is not received by the Secretary of State in accordance with the agreement,

(c) the agreement provides for the duty payable to be paid by more than one instalment,

(d) the Secretary of State sends a notice to the person requiring the person to secure that the duty payable on the licence (both in respect of instalments which have fallen due and in respect of future instalments) is paid within the period specified in the notice,

(e) the requirement in the notice is not complied with, and

(f) the Secretary of State sends a further notice to the person informing that person that the licence is void from the time specified in the notice,

the licence is to be void from the time specified.

Section 19C Fee for payment of duty by credit card

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a person applies for a vehicle licence or a trade licence, and

(b) the Secretary of State, or an authorised body, accepts a credit card payment in respect of the duty payable on the licence.

(2) Before issuing the licence, the Secretary of State, or the authorised body, shall require—

(a) the applicant, or

(b) a person acting on behalf of the applicant,

to pay to him, or it, such fee (if any) in respect of the acceptance of the credit card payment as may be prescribed by, or determined in accordance with, regulations.

(3) In cases of such descriptions as the Secretary of State may, with the consent of the Treasury, determine, the whole or a part of a fee paid under this section may be refunded.

(4) In this section—

“ authorised body ” means a body (other than a Northern Ireland department) which is authorised by the Secretary of State to act as his agent for the purpose of issuing licences;

“credit card” has such meaning as may be prescribed by regulations;

“ regulations ” means regulations made by the Secretary of State.

Section 20 Combined road-rail transport of goods.

(1) This section applies where—

(a) goods are loaded on a relevant goods vehicle for transport between member States,

(b) the vehicle is transported by rail between the nearest suitable rail loading station to the point of loading and the nearest suitable rail unloading station to the point of unloading, and

(c) part of the rail transport of the vehicle takes place in the United Kingdom at a time when a vehicle licence for it is in force.

(2) Where this section applies, the holder of the licence is, on making a claim, entitled to receive from the Secretary of State (by way of rebate of the duty paid on the licence) an amount calculated by the method prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(3) In this section “ relevant goods vehicle ” means any vehicle the rate of duty applicable to which is provided for in Part VIII of Schedule 1 or which would be such a vehicle if Part VI of that Schedule did not apply to the vehicle.

(4) The Secretary of State may by regulations prescribe—

(a) when and how a claim for a rebate under this section is to be made, and

(b) the evidence to be provided in support of such a claim.

Section 21 Registration of vehicles.

(1) Subject to subsection (3), on the issue by the Secretary of State for a vehicle which is not registered under this section of either—

(a) a vehicle licence, or

(b) a nil licence,

the Secretary of State shall register the vehicle in such manner as he thinks fit without any further application by the person to whom the licence is issued.

(2) Subject to subsection (3) Where particulars in respect of a vehicle are furnished to the Secretary of State in accordance with regulations under section 24 before he first issues a vehicle licence for the vehicle, he shall so register the vehicle on receiving the particulars.

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide that in such circumstances as may be prescribed by the regulations a vehicle shall not be registered under this section until a fee of such amount as may be so prescribed is paid.

(4) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about repayment of any sum paid by way of a fee mentioned in subsection (3), and the regulations may in particular include provision—

(a) that repayment shall be made only if a specified person is satisfied that specified conditions are met or in other specified circumstances;

(b) that repayment shall be made in part only;

(c) that, in the case of partial repayment, the amount repaid shall be a specified sum or determined in a specified manner;

(d) for repayment of different amounts in different circumstances;

and “ specified ” here means specified in the regulations.

Section 22 Registration regulations.

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations—

(a) make provision with respect to the registration of vehicles (including, in particular, the form of and the particulars to be included in the register of trade licences),

(b) require the Secretary of State to make with respect to registered vehicles the returns prescribed by the regulations,

(c) provide for making any particulars contained in the register available for use by the persons prescribed by the regulations on payment, in cases so prescribed, of a fee of such amount as appears to the Secretary of State reasonable in the circumstances of the case,

(d) require a person by , through or to whom any vehicle is sold or disposed of to furnish the particulars prescribed by the regulations in the manner so prescribed,

(dd) require a person by or through whom any vehicle is sold or disposed of to furnish the person to whom it is sold or disposed of with such document relating to the vehicle’s registration as may be prescribed by the regulations, and to do so at such time as may be so prescribed.

(e) provide for the issue of registration documents in respect of the registration of a vehicle,

(f) provide for the transfer, surrender and production of registration documents,

(g) provide for the inspection of registration documents by the persons prescribed by the regulations, ...

(h) provide for the issue of new registration documents in place of registration documents which are or may be lost, stolen , surrendered , destroyed or damaged or which contain any particulars which have become illegible or inaccurate ,

(ha) require the destruction of a registration document where a new registration document is issued in place of it,

(i) provide for a fee of such amount as appears to the Secretary of State to be reasonable to be paid on the issue of new registration documents in any of the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (h).

(1A) The Secretary of State may make regulations providing for the sale of information derived from particulars contained in the register—

(a) to such persons as the Secretary of State thinks fit, and

(b) for such price and on such other terms, and subject to such restrictions, as he thinks fit,

if the information does not identify any person or contain anything enabling any person to be identified.

(1B) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (d) of subsection (1) ... , regulations under that paragraph may require—

(a) any person there mentioned to furnish particulars to another person there mentioned or to the Secretary of State or to another such person and to the Secretary of State;

(b) any person there mentioned who is furnished with particulars in pursuance of the regulations to furnish them to the Secretary of State.

(1C) Regulations under subsection (1)(e) may, in particular, provide that registration documents need not be issued in respect of the registration of a vehicle until the vehicle has been inspected by a person specified by the Secretary of State.

(1D) The Secretary of State may by regulations require a person—

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(aa) who does not renew a vehicle licence for a vehicle registered under this Act in his name,

(b) who does not renew a vehicle licence for a vehicle kept by him, or

(c) who keeps an unlicensed vehicle at any place in the United Kingdom,

to furnish such particulars and make such declarations as may be prescribed by the regulations, and to do so at such times and in such manner as may be so prescribed.

(1DA) For the purposes of subsection (1D)(aa) a person shall be regarded as not renewing a vehicle licence for a vehicle registered in his name if—

(a) a vehicle for which a vehicle licence is in force is registered in his name, and

(b) he does not, at such time as may be prescribed by the regulations or within such period as may be so prescribed, take out a vehicle licence to have effect from the expiry of the vehicle licence mentioned in paragraph (a).

(1E) For the purposes of subsection (1D)(b) a person shall be regarded as not renewing a vehicle licence for a vehicle kept by him if—

(a) he keeps a vehicle for which a vehicle licence is in force, and

(b) he does not, at such time as may be prescribed by the regulations or within such period as may be so prescribed, take out a vehicle licence to have effect from the expiry of the vehicle licence mentioned in paragraph (a).

(1F) For the purposes of subsection (1D)(c) a vehicle is unlicensed if no vehicle licence is in force for the vehicle.

(1G) Regulations under subsection (1D) may make such transitional provision as appears to the Secretary of State to be appropriate.

(2) Regulations made by the Secretary of State may—

(a) extend any of the provisions as to registration (and provisions incidental to any of those provisions) to, and

(b) provide for the identification of,

any exempt vehicles or any vehicles belonging to the Crown ....

(2A) Regulations under subsection (2) may, in particular—

(a) require a person applying for a nil licence—

(i) to make any such declaration, and

(ii) to furnish any such particulars and any such documentary or other evidence ,

(whether or not with respect to the vehicle for which the licence is to be taken out) as may be prescribed by the regulations, ...

(b) provide for any requirement to make such a declaration not to apply in such circumstances as may be so prescribed.

(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d) require a person issued with a nil licence which ceases to be in force in circumstances prescribed by the regulations to furnish to the Secretary of State any such particulars and any such documentary or other evidence and make any such declarations as may be so prescribed, and to do so at such times and in such manner as may be so prescribed.

(2B) The circumstances which may be prescribed by the regulations by virtue of subsection (2A)(b) include where a person applying for a nil licence agrees to comply with such conditions as may be specified in relation to him by the Secretary of State.

(2C) The conditions which may be specified by virtue of subsection (2B) include—

(a) a condition that particulars for the time being prescribed by the regulations by virtue of subsection (2A)(a) are furnished by being transmitted to the Secretary of State by such electronic means as he may specify; and

(b) a condition such as is mentioned in section 7(3B)(b) (treating the references to paragraph (a) of subsection (3B) as references to paragraph (a) of this subsection).

(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 22A Vehicle identity checks

(1) This section applies to regulations under section 22(1)(h) which confer a power on the Secretary of State to refuse to issue a new registration document in respect of a registered vehicle if he is not satisfied that the vehicle for which the document is being sought is the registered vehicle.

(2) Such regulations may, in particular, provide for—

(a) the examination (whether by the Secretary of State or by persons authorised by him) of all vehicles for which new registration documents are being sought, or such vehicles of a particular description, for the purpose of ascertaining whether they are the registered vehicles concerned,

(b) the provision of other evidence in relation to all vehicles for which new registration documents are being sought, or such vehicles of a particular description, for the purpose of ascertaining whether they are the registered vehicles concerned.

(3) Regulations made by virtue of subsection (2) may, in particular, provide for—

(a) notification of examinations (including their purpose), the issue of certificates as to the outcome of examinations and the keeping of records in relation to examinations and certificates,

(b) the issue of duplicates or copies of certificates and the fees to be paid on applications for such duplicates or copies,

(c) the correction of errors in certificates,

(d) the payment of fees for examinations, and for re-examinations resulting from appeals and the repayment of the whole or part of the fee paid for such a re-examination where it appears to the Secretary of State that there were substantial grounds for contesting the whole or part of the decision appealed against,

(e) the making of appeals against the outcome of examinations,

(f) the carrying out of examinations in the absence of the keepers or owners of the vehicles concerned,

(g) courses of instruction in connection with the carrying out of examinations and the charging of fees in respect of attendance on such courses,

(h) the authorisation of examiners, the imposition of conditions to be complied with by authorised examiners (including the payment of fees to the Secretary of State) and the withdrawal of authorisations,

(i) the manner in which, conditions under which and apparatus with which examinations are carried out by authorised examiners, and the inspection of premises at which and apparatus with which such examinations are being, or are to be, carried out,

(j) the charges to be paid by authorised examiners to the Secretary of State in connection with—

(i) the issue of certificates,

(ii) the issue of duplicates or copies of certificates, and

(iii) the correction of errors in certificates.

(4) The Secretary of State may use information contained in relevant records—

(a) to check the accuracy of information which has been obtained under regulations made by virtue of subsection (2), and

(b) where appropriate, to amend or supplement any such information.

(5) The Secretary of State may use information which has been obtained under regulations made by virtue of subsection (2)—

(a) to check the accuracy of relevant records, and

(b) where appropriate, to amend or supplement information contained in those records.

(6) In subsections (4) and (5) “ relevant records ” means records—

(a) maintained by the Secretary of State in connection with any functions exercisable by him under or by virtue of this Act,

(b) records maintained by the Secretary of State (or caused by him to be maintained) under section 45(6B) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (c.52).

(7) Subsections (4) to (6) do not limit any powers of the Secretary of State apart from those subsections.

(8) This section is without prejudice to the generality of the powers conferred by section 22.

Section 22B Registration of vehicles: certificates of conformity etc.

(1) Subsections (2) to (3C) have effect notwithstanding any other enactment.

(2) A vehicle—

(a) which was completed before IP completion day, and

(b) in respect of which there is an EC certificate of conformity issued in reliance on a relevant European approval granted by or on the authority of an EU State,

may not be registered under section 21 in Great Britain unless one of the conditions in subsection (3) applies to the vehicle.

(3) The conditions are—

(a) the vehicle is qualifying Northern Ireland goods;

(b) the vehicle was in the United Kingdom immediately before IP completion day;

(c) a relevant UK certificate has effect with respect to the vehicle.

(3A) A vehicle which is completed on or after IP completion day may not be registered under section 21 in Great Britain unless—

(a) it is qualifying Northern Ireland goods in respect of which there is an EC certificate of conformity issued in reliance on a relevant European approval granted by or on the authority of an EU State, or

(b) a relevant UK certificate has effect with respect to it.

(3B) A vehicle completed before IP completion day may not be registered under section 21 in Northern Ireland unless—

(a) an EC certificate of conformity issued in reliance on a relevant European approval granted by or on the authority of an EU State has effect in respect of it, or

(b) it was in the United Kingdom immediately before IP completion day and a relevant UK certificate issued before that day has effect with respect to it.

(3C) A vehicle completed on or after IP completion day may not be registered under section 21 in Northern Ireland unless—

(a) an EC certificate of conformity issued in reliance on a relevant European approval granted by or on the authority of an EU State has effect in respect of it, or

(b) a relevant Northern Ireland certificate has effect with respect to it.

(4) In this section—

“ EC certificate of conformity ” has the meaning given in section 85 of the Road Traffic Act 1988;

“ EU State ” means—

in relation to the period before exit day, a member State other than the United Kingdom,

in relation to the period on or after exit day, a member State;

“ qualifying Northern Ireland goods ” has the meaning given by regulations made under section 8C(6) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018;

“ relevant European approval ” has the meaning given in section 55(1C) of that Act;

“ relevant Northern Ireland certificate ” means—

a certificate issued pursuant to regulation 16(7) or 18(10) of the Road Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 2020 ( S.I. 2020/818 ), as they apply in and in relation to Northern Ireland,

a certificate of conformity issued under Article 31A(3) of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981,

a Department’s approval certificate issued under Article 31A(4) or (5) of that Order, or

an EC certificate of conformity issued in reliance on a valid relevant European approval granted by or on the authority of the Secretary of State in relation to Northern Ireland;

“ relevant UK certificate ” means—

a certificate of conformity issued under section 57 of the Road Traffic Act 1988,

a Minister's approval certificate issued under section 58 of that Act,

a certificate issued pursuant to regulation 25(10) or 27(10) of the Road Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/717),

a certificate issued pursuant to regulation 16(7) or 18(10) of the Road Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 2020 ( S.I. 2020/818 ),

a certificate of conformity issued under Article 31A(3) of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981,

a Department's approval certificate issued under Article 31A(4) or (5) of that Order, or

an EC certificate of conformity which was issued otherwise than in reliance on a valid relevant European approval granted by or on the authority of an EU State.

Section 22ZA ... Licences for vehicles for disabled persons: information

(1) This section applies to information that—

(a) is held for the purposes of functions relating to social security or war pensions—

(i) by the Secretary of State or a Northern Ireland department , or

(ii) by a person providing services to the Secretary of State or a Northern Ireland department , in connection with the provision of those services, and

(b) falls within subsection (1A) or is of a description prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(1A) Information falls within this subsection if it is—

(a) the name, date of birth or national insurance number of a person who is in receipt of a relevant payment, or would be in receipt of such a payment but for—

(i) regulations under section 86(1) of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 (treatment as in-patient in hospital or similar institution), or

(ii) corresponding provision having effect in relation to personal independence payment in Northern Ireland;

(b) in the case of a person who is or would be in receipt of personal independence payment attributable to entitlement to the mobility component, the rate of the payment to which the person is or would be entitled;

(c) in the case of a person who has ceased or will cease to receive a relevant payment, the date on which the person ceased or will cease to receive it and the reason for the person ceasing to receive it.

(1B) In subsection (1A) “ relevant payment ” means—

(a) personal independence payment attributable to entitlement to the mobility component, and

(b) armed forces independence payment.

(2) Information to which this section applies may, if the consent condition is satisfied, be supplied—

(a) to the Secretary of State, or

(b) to a person providing services to the Secretary of State,

for use for the purposes of relevant ... licence functions.

(3) The “ consent condition ”, in relation to any information, is that—

(a) if the information was provided by a person other than the person to whom the information relates, the person who provided the information, or

(b) in any other case, the person to whom the information relates,

has consented to the supply of the information and has not withdrawn that consent.

(4) Information supplied under subsection (2) shall not—

(a) be supplied by the recipient to any other person unless—

(i) it could be supplied to that person under subsection (2), or

(ii) it is supplied for the purposes of any civil or criminal proceedings relating to this Act;

(b) be used otherwise than for the purposes of relevant ... licence functions or any such proceedings.

(5) In this section “ relevant licence functions ” means functions relating to applications for, and the issue of—

(a) vehicle licences in respect of vehicles to which paragraph 1ZA of Schedule 1 applies, and

(b) nil licences in respect of vehicles that are exempt vehicles under paragraph 19 of Schedule 2 or paragraph 7 of Schedule 4.

Section 23 Registration marks.

(1) Where the Secretary of State registers a vehicle under section 21(1) he shall assign to the vehicle a mark (a “registration mark”) indicating the registered number of the vehicle.

(2) The Secretary of State may, in such circumstances as he may determine—

(a) assign a registration mark to a vehicle to which another registration mark has previously been assigned,

(b) assign to a vehicle (whether on its first registration or later) a registration mark previously assigned to another vehicle,

(c) (whether or not in connection with an assignment within paragraph (a) or (b)) withdraw any registration mark for the time being assigned to a vehicle, and

(d) re-assign to a vehicle a registration mark previously assigned to it but subsequently withdrawn.

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide that the registration mark for the time being assigned to a vehicle shall be fixed, in the manner prescribed by the regulations, on the vehicle, on any other vehicle drawn by the vehicle or on both.

(4) The Secretary of State may by regulations prescribe—

(a) the size, shape and character of registration marks to be fixed on any vehicle, and

(b) the manner in which registration marks are to be displayed and rendered easily distinguishable (whether by day or by night).

(5) The Secretary of State may by regulations—

(a) make provision for assigning general registration marks to persons holding trade licences and (in particular) prescribe the registration marks to be carried by vehicles the use of which is authorised by a trade licence, and

(b) make provision for the issue of trade plates to holders of trade licences and for the charging of a fee for the replacement of trade plates which are or may be lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged.

Section 24 Assignment of registration marks by motor dealers.

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make such provision as he considers appropriate with respect to the allocation of registration marks for vehicles to motor dealers who—

(a) apply for such allocations, and

(b) appear to the Secretary of State suitable to receive them,

and with respect to the assigning of the marks to vehicles by motor dealers.

(2) Regulations under this section may, in particular, include provision—

(a) as to the mode of application for the allocation of registration marks,

(b) as to the transfer of registration marks allocated to a motor dealer in cases where the motor dealer dies or becomes incapacitated or bankrupt and in such other cases as may be prescribed by the regulations, and

(c) as to the cancellation of allocations of registration marks.

(3) The provision which may be made by regulations under this section also includes provision for—

(a) restricting the circumstances in which a motor dealer may assign a registration mark to a vehicle,

(b) securing that registration marks allocated to a motor dealer are assigned by him in such sequence as the Secretary of State considers appropriate and that no registration mark is assigned to a vehicle to which a registration mark has already been assigned, and

(c) requiring a motor dealer to furnish to the Secretary of State within the period prescribed by the regulations such particulars in respect of each vehicle to which the motor dealer assigns a registration mark as are so prescribed.

(4) Where—

(a) the Secretary of State—

(i) rejects an application by a motor dealer for an allocation of registration marks, or

(ii) cancels an allocation of registration marks made to a motor dealer, and

(b) the motor dealer, within the period prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State, requests him to review his decision,

the Secretary of State shall comply with the request and (in doing so) consider any representations made to him in writing during that period by the motor dealer.

(5) Where the Secretary of State cancels an allocation of registration marks made to a motor dealer—

(a) the cancellation does not take effect before the end of the period prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State, and

(b) where during that period the motor dealer requests the Secretary of State to review his decision, the cancellation does not take effect before the Secretary of State gives notice in writing of the result of the review to the motor dealer.

(6) For the purposes of subsection (5)(b) notice may be given to a person by—

(a) delivering it to him,

(b) leaving it at his proper address, or

(c) sending it to him by post;

and for the purposes of this subsection, and of section 7 of the Interpretation Act 1978 in its application to this subsection, the proper address of a person is his latest address as known to the Secretary of State.

Section 25 Charge on request for registration mark.

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide for a charge prescribed by the regulations to be made in cases where, by request, a particular registration mark is assigned to a vehicle (whether on its first registration or later), having previously been assigned to another vehicle.

(2) The regulations may—

(a) require—

(i) the vehicle to which a mark is requested to be assigned, and

(ii) in cases prescribed by the regulations, the other vehicle,

to be made available for inspection at a place designated by or under the regulations, and

(b) provide for a charge prescribed by the regulations to be made for the inspection and for the whole or part of the charge to be retained whether or not the mark is assigned as requested.

(3) Charges prescribed for the purposes of this section need not be related to the costs of—

(a) making an assignment, or

(b) arranging for a vehicle to be inspected.

Section 26 Retention of registration mark pending transfer.

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide for—

(a) a person in whose name a vehicle is registered under this Act, or

(b) if that person so requests, another person,

to be granted a right of retention in respect of the registration mark for the time being assigned to the vehicle.

(1A) In subsection (1), the reference to a right of retention is to a right, exercisable on a single occasion falling within a period prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State, to have the registration mark assigned to some other vehicle which is registered under this Act in the name of—

(a) the person to whom the right is granted, or

(b) some other person nominated by him in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(2) Regulations under this section may, in particular, make provision—

(a) for the manner in which an application for the grant of a right of retention is to be made to the Secretary of State,

(b) for the payment of a fee prescribed by the regulations on the making of such an application and for the whole or part of the fee to be retained whether or not the application is granted,

(c) for requiring the vehicle to which the registration mark is for the time being assigned to be made available for inspection at a place designated by or under the regulations,

(d) for authorising the Secretary of State to refuse such an application on such grounds as he thinks fit,

(e) with respect to the manner in which rights of retention are to be exercisable,

(f) for enabling or requiring the Secretary of State, on the payment to him of a fee prescribed by the regulations, to extend or (on one or more occasions) further extend the period referred to in subsection (1A) where—

(i) the conditions so prescribed are fulfilled, and

(ii) he thinks fit to do so in the circumstances of the case,

(g) for rights of retention to be non-transferable (but without prejudice to the vesting of any such right in a person by operation of law),

(h) with respect to the conditions which must be satisfied before a registration mark may be assigned to a vehicle pursuant to a right of retention,

(i) for authorising the Secretary of State to revoke a right of retention—

(i) if it appears to him that there are special reasons for doing so, or

(ii) in any other circumstances prescribed by the regulations,

(j) for allowing a person to be nominated when an application for the grant of a right of retention is made or to be nominated at a later time,

(k) for allowing a different person to be nominated in place of a person already nominated,

(l) for the manner in which a nomination is to be made and for the payment of a fee prescribed by the regulations where a nomination is made in circumstances so prescribed, and

(m) for the payment, in connection with the assignment of a registration mark pursuant to a right of retention, of such charge as is for the time being prescribed by virtue of section 25(1).

(3) Regulations under this section may exempt extensions or assignments of any class or description prescribed by the regulations from any fee or charge payable by virtue of subsection (2)(f) or (m).

(4) An extension or nomination is exempt from a fee payable by virtue of subsection (2)(f) or (l) if the Secretary of State considers it appropriate in the circumstances of the case.

(5) Where regulations under this section provide in any case for there to be no charge in connection with the assignment of a registration mark pursuant to a right of retention—

(a) the fee prescribed by virtue of paragraph (b) of subsection (2) in relation to an application for that right may include an amount representing the charge for which provision could have been made by virtue of paragraph (m) of that subsection, and

(b) the regulations may provide for the part of any such fee which represents a charge for which provision could have been so made to be retained, except where conditions prescribed by the regulations are fulfilled, whether or not there is an assignment.

(6) The assignment by the Secretary of State of a registration mark to a vehicle pursuant to a right of retention is without prejudice to the subsequent exercise by him, in relation to the mark, of any of his powers under section 23(2).

Section 27 Sale of rights to particular registration marks.

(1) This section applies to registration marks which either—

(a) have never been assigned to a vehicle, or

(b) have been assigned to a vehicle but (as a result of having been subsequently withdrawn) are not for the time being so assigned,

and which are such as the Secretary of State may from time to time determine.

(2) The Secretary of State may by regulations make a scheme providing for registration marks to which this section applies to be assigned to vehicles registered under this Act in the names of, or of the nominees of, persons who have acquired rights under the scheme to have the marks so assigned.

(3) Regulations under this section may, in particular, make provision—

(a) for a person to acquire a right under the scheme to have a particular registration mark to which this section applies assigned to a vehicle registered under this Act in his name, or in the name of some other person nominated by him in accordance with the scheme, on payment of such sum as is payable in accordance with the scheme—

(i) in respect of the acquisition of the right, and

(ii) where no charge is to be made by virtue of paragraph (m) in connection with an assignment pursuant to the right, in respect of such an assignment,

(b) with respect to—

(i) the manner in which agreements for the sale of such a right (a “relevant right”) may be effected,

(ii) the terms which may be contained in, or incorporated into, such agreements, and

(iii) rights and liabilities arising in connection with such agreements otherwise than under any such terms,

(c) for enabling the Secretary of State to determine as he thinks fit—

(i) the prices at which particular relevant rights are to be sold or the reserve prices applicable to the sale of any such rights, or

(ii) the manner in which any such prices are to be determined,

(d) with respect to the manner in which relevant rights are to be exercisable,

(e) for relevant rights to be exercisable only on a single occasion falling within a period prescribed by the regulations (subject to any provision made by virtue of paragraph (f)),

(f) for enabling or requiring the Secretary of State, on the payment to him of a fee prescribed by the regulations, to extend or (on one or more occasions) further extend any such period where—

(i) the conditions so prescribed are fulfilled, and

(ii) he thinks fit to do so in the circumstances of the case,

(g) for relevant rights to be non-transferable (but without prejudice to the vesting of any such right in a person by operation of law),

(h) with respect to the conditions which must be satisfied before a registration mark may be assigned to a vehicle pursuant to a relevant right,

(i) for authorising the Secretary of State to revoke a relevant right—

(i) if it appears to him that there are special reasons for doing so, or

(ii) in any other circumstances prescribed by the regulations,

(j) for allowing a person to be nominated when a relevant right is acquired or to be nominated at a later time,

(k) for allowing a different person to be nominated in place of a person already nominated,

(l) for the manner in which a nomination is to be made and for the payment of a fee prescribed by the regulations where a nomination is made in circumstances so prescribed,

(m) for the payment, in connection with the assignment of a registration mark pursuant to a relevant right, of such charge as is for the time being prescribed by virtue of section 25(1), and

(n) for so much of any sum paid by virtue of paragraph (a) in respect of the assignment of a registration mark to be retained, except where conditions prescribed by the regulations are fulfilled, whether or not there is such an assignment.

(4) Regulations under this section may (without prejudice to the generality of subsection (3)(b)) make provision for authorising the Secretary of State to make arrangements with other persons by which such persons—

(a) are given authority (whether irrevocable or otherwise) to act on his behalf in offering for sale, and entering into agreements for the sale of, relevant rights in the case of such registration marks, and during such periods, as he may determine,

(b) are required to account to him for sums due to him under such agreements (whether they have received any amounts due from the purchasers under the agreements or not), and

(c) may become entitled or subject to such rights or liabilities of the Secretary of State in connection with such agreements as may be prescribed by the regulations.

(5) Regulations under this section may exempt extensions or assignments of any class or description prescribed by the regulations from any fee or charge payable by virtue of subsection (3)(f) or (m).

(6) An extension or nomination is exempt from a fee payable by virtue of subsection (3)(f) or (l) if the Secretary of State considers it appropriate in the circumstances of the case.

(7) The assignment by the Secretary of State of a registration mark to a vehicle pursuant to a relevant right is without prejudice to the subsequent exercise by him, in relation to the mark, of any of his powers under section 23(2).

Section 27A Registration plates

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations—

(a) prescribe specifications for registration plates (whether relating to their size, shape, material of manufacture or otherwise),

(b) provide for registration plates to contain or display such information other than registration marks or (as the case may be) special registration marks as may be specified or described in the regulations.

(2) Regulations under subsection (1)(b) may, in particular, prescribe the form and manner in which any such information is to be contained or displayed.

(3) In this section “ registration plates ” means—

(a) plates or other devices for displaying registration marks and for fixing them on vehicles or trailers in accordance with regulations under section 23(3), or

(b) plates or other devices for displaying special registration marks and for fixing them on vehicles or trailers in accordance with regulations under section 22(2),

and includes plates or other devices which are also for containing or displaying information other than registration marks or (as the case may be) special registration marks (whether or not such information is to be contained or displayed by virtue of regulations under this section).

(4) In this section—

“ special registration mark ” means a mark indicating the registered number of a vehicle or trailer and assigned to the vehicle or trailer by virtue of regulations under section 22(2), and

“ trailer ” has the same meaning as in Part 8 of Schedule 1.

Section 28 Marking of engines and bodies.

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make such provision as he thinks appropriate with respect to the marking of the engines and bodies of vehicles.

(2) Regulations under this section may, in particular, include provision—

(a) as to the persons by whom and the times at which engines and bodies of vehicles are to be marked,

(b) as to the form of any mark and the manner and position in which it is to be made, and

(c) for requiring particulars of marks made under the regulations to be furnished to the Secretary of State.

Section 28A Power of constables etc. to require production of registration documents

(1) A person using a vehicle in respect of which a registration document has been issued must produce the document for inspection on being so required by—

(a) a constable, or

(b) a person authorised by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section (an “ authorised person ”).

(2) An authorised person exercising the power conferred by subsection (1) must, if so requested, produce evidence of his authority to exercise the power.

(3) A person is guilty of an offence if he fails to comply with subsection (1).

(4) Subsection (3) does not apply if any of the following conditions is satisfied.

(5) The first condition is that—

(a) the person produces the registration document, in person, at a police station specified by him at the time of the request, and

(b) he does so within 7 days after the date on which the request was made or as soon as is reasonably practicable.

(6) The second condition is that—

(a) the vehicle is subject to a lease or hire agreement,

(b) the vehicle is not registered in the name of the lessee or hirer under that agreement and is not required to be so registered,

(c) the person produces appropriate evidence of the agreement to the constable or authorised person at the time of the request or he produces such evidence in person, at a police station specified by him at the time of the request—

(i) within 7 days after the date of the request, or

(ii) as soon as is reasonably practicable, and

(d) the person has reasonable grounds for believing, or it is reasonable for him to expect, that the person from whom the vehicle has been leased or hired is able to produce, or require the production of, the registration document.

(7) In subsection (6)(c) “ appropriate evidence ” means—

(a) a copy of the agreement, or

(b) such other documentary evidence of the agreement as is prescribed in regulations under this section.

(8) The third condition is that any exception prescribed in regulations under this section is met.

(9) Where a requirement is imposed under subsection (1) by an authorised person, a testing station provided under section 52(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 may be specified under subsection (5)(a) or (6)(c) instead of a police station.

(10) A person accused of an offence under this section is not entitled to the benefit of an exception 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.

(11) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.

(12) The Secretary of State may make regulations—

(a) prescribing descriptions of evidence for the purposes of subsection (7);

(b) prescribing, varying or revoking exceptions for the purposes of subsection (8).

(13) In this section “ registration document ” means a registration document issued in accordance with regulations under section 22(1)(e).

Section 29 Penalty for using or keeping unlicensed vehicle.

(1) If a person uses, or keeps, a vehicle which is unlicensed he is guilty of an offence.

(2) For 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.

(2A) Subsection (1) does not apply to a vehicle if—

(a) it 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, or

(b) it is an exempt vehicle that is not one in respect of which regulations under this Act require a nil licence to be in force.

(2B) Subsection (1) does not apply to a vehicle if—

(a) the vehicle is being neither used nor kept on a public road, and

(b) the 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.

(2C) Subsection (1) does not apply to a vehicle if the vehicle is kept by a motor trader or vehicle tester at business premises.

(2D) The 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).

(2E) A 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.

(3) Subject to subsection (3A) a person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction to an excise penalty of—

(a) level 3 on the standard scale, or

(b) five 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.

(3A) In the case of a person who—

(a) has 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, and

(b) commits 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.

(4) Where 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) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) The 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.

(7) Where 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.

(8) In 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.

Section 30 Additional liability for keeper of unlicensed vehicle.

(1) Where the person convicted of an offence under section 29 is the person by whom the vehicle in respect of which the offence was committed was kept at the time at which it was committed, the court shall (in addition to any penalty which it may impose under that section) order him to pay the amount specified in subsection (2).

(2) The amount referred to in subsection (1) is an amount equal to one-twelfth of the annual rate of vehicle excise duty chargeable in respect of using or keeping the vehicle on a public road for each month, or part of a month, in the relevant period (within the meaning of section 31).

(3) In relation to any month or part of a month in the relevant period, the reference in subsection (2) to the annual rate of vehicle excise duty appropriate to the vehicle is a reference to the annual rate applicable to it at the beginning of that month or part.

(4) A vehicle is to be taken for the purposes of this section to have belonged throughout the relevant period to the description of vehicle to which it belonged for the purposes of vehicle excise duty at—

(a) the date on which the offence was committed, or

(b) if the prosecution so elect, the date when a vehicle licence for it was last issued,

except so far as it is proved to have fallen within some other description for the whole of any month or part of a month in that period.

(5) In the case of a conviction for a continuing offence, the offence is to be taken for the purposes of this section to have been committed on the date or latest date to which the conviction relates.

Section 31 Relevant period for purposes of section 30.

(1) For the purposes of section 30 the relevant period is the period—

(a) ending with the date on which the offence was committed, and

(b) beginning as provided by subsections (2) to (4).

(2) Subject to subsection (4), if the person convicted has before the date of the offence notified the Secretary of State of his acquisition of the vehicle in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State, the relevant period begins with—

(a) the date on which the notification was received by the Secretary of State, or

(b) the expiry of the vehicle licence last in force for the vehicle,

whichever is the later.

(3) Subject to subsection (4), in any other case the relevant period begins with—

(a) the expiry of the vehicle licence last in force for the vehicle before the date on which the offence was committed, or

(b) if there has not at any time before that date been a vehicle licence in force for the vehicle, the date on which the vehicle was first kept by the person convicted.

(4) Where—

(a) the person convicted has been ordered to pay an amount under section 30 on the occasion of a previous conviction for an offence in respect of the same vehicle, and

(b) that offence was committed after the date specified in subsection (2) or (3) as the date with which the relevant period begins,

the relevant period instead begins with the month immediately following that in which the earlier offence was committed.

(5) Where the person convicted proves—

(a) that throughout any month or part of a month in the relevant period the vehicle was not kept by him, or

(b) that he has paid the duty due . . .in respect of the vehicle for any such month or part of a month,

any amount which the person is ordered to pay under section 30 is to be calculated as if that month or part of a month were not in the relevant period.

(6) Where a person has previously been ordered under section 36 to pay an amount for a month or part of a month in the case of a vehicle, any amount which he is ordered to pay under section 30 in the case of the vehicle is to be calculated as if no part of that month were in the relevant period.

(7) In this section references to the expiry of a vehicle licence include a reference to—

(a) its ... ceasing to be in force under section 19(7) , and

(b) its being treated as no longer in force for the purposes of subsection (2) of section 29 by subsection (4) of that section.

(8) In the case of a conviction for a continuing offence, the offence is to be taken for the purposes of this section to have been committed on the date or latest date to which the conviction relates.

Section 31A Offence by registered keeper where vehicle unlicensed

(1) If a vehicle registered under this Act is unlicensed, the person in whose name the vehicle is registered is guilty of an offence.

(2) For the purposes of this section a vehicle is unlicensed if no vehicle licence or trade licence is in force for or in respect of the vehicle.

(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to a vehicle if—

(a) it 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, or

(b) it is an exempt vehicle that is not one in respect of which regulations under this Act require a nil licence to be in force.

(4) Where 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) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 31B Exceptions to section 31A

(1) A person (“ the registered keeper ”) in whose name an unlicensed vehicle is registered at any particular time (“ the relevant time ”) does not commit an offence under section 31A at that time if any of the following conditions are satisfied.

(2) The first condition is that the registered keeper—

(a) is not at the relevant time the person keeping the vehicle, and

(b) if previously he was the person keeping the vehicle, he has by the relevant time complied with any requirements under section 22(1)(d)—

(i) that are prescribed for the purposes of this condition, and

(ii) that he is required to have complied with by the relevant or any earlier time.

(3) The second condition is that—

(a) the registered keeper is at the relevant time the person keeping the vehicle,

(b) at the relevant time the vehicle is neither kept nor used on a public road, and

(c) the registered keeper has by the relevant time complied with any requirements under section 22(1D)—

(i) that are prescribed for the purposes of this condition, and

(ii) that he is required to have complied with by the relevant or any earlier time.

(4) The third condition is that—

(a) the vehicle has been stolen before the relevant time,

(b) the vehicle has not been recovered by the relevant time, and

(c) any requirements under subsection (6) that, in connection with the theft, are required to have been complied with by the relevant or any earlier time have been complied with by the relevant time.

(5) The fourth condition is that the relevant time falls within a period (“ the grace days ”)—

(a) beginning with the expiry of the last vehicle licence to be in force for the vehicle, and

(b) of a prescribed length,

and a vehicle licence for the vehicle is taken out within the grace days for a period beginning with the grace days.

(6) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for the purposes of subsection (4)(c) as to the persons to whom, the times at which and the manner in which the theft of a vehicle is to be notified.

(7) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision amending this section for the purpose of providing for further exceptions to section 31A(1) (or varying or revoking any such further exceptions).

(8) A person accused of an offence under section 31A(1) is not entitled to the benefit of an exception 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.

(9) In this section—

(a) references to the expiry of a vehicle licence include a reference to—

(i) its ... ceasing to be in force under section 19(7) , and

(ii) its being treated as no longer in force for the purposes of subsection (2) of section 31A by subsection (4) of that section;

(b) “ prescribed ” means prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State.

Section 31C Penalties for offences under section 31A

(1) A person guilty of an offence under section 31A(1) is liable on summary conviction to—

(a) an excise penalty of—

(i) level 3 on the standard scale, or

(ii) five times the amount of vehicle excise duty chargeable in respect of the vehicle concerned,

whichever is the greater; and

(b) if subsection (3) applies to him, an excise penalty (in addition to any under paragraph (a)) of an amount that complies with subsection (2).

(2) An amount complies with this subsection if it—

(a) is not less than the greater of—

(i) the maximum of the penalty to which the person is liable under subsection (1)(a), and

(ii) the amount of the supplement (if any) that became payable by him by reason of non-renewal of the vehicle licence for the vehicle that last expired before the commission of the offence; and

(b) is not more than the greatest of—

(i) the maximum of the penalty to which the person is liable under subsection (1)(a),

(ii) the amount mentioned in paragraph (a)(ii), and

(iii) ten times the amount of vehicle excise duty chargeable in respect of the vehicle.

(3) This subsection applies to the person if—

(a) he was, at the time proceedings for the offence were commenced, the person in whose name the vehicle concerned was registered under this Act, and

(b) that vehicle was unlicensed throughout the period beginning with the commission of the offence and ending with the commencement of those proceedings.

(4) The amount of vehicle excise duty chargeable in respect of a vehicle is to be taken for the purposes of subsections (1) and (2) to be an amount equal to the annual rate of duty applicable to the vehicle at the date on which the offence was committed.

(5) Where in the case of a vehicle kept (but not 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.

(6) In the case of a conviction for a continuing offence, the offence is to be taken for the purposes of subsections (4) and (5) to have been committed on the date or latest date to which the conviction relates.

(7) In this section, references to the expiry of a vehicle licence include a reference to—

(a) its ... ceasing to be in force under section 19(7) , and

(b) its being treated as no longer in force for the purposes of subsection (2) of section 31A by subsection (4) of that section.

Section 32 Sections 29 to 31C : supplementary.

(1) Where in the case of an offence under section 29 or 31A there is made against a person—

(a) an order under section 79 or 80 of the Sentencing Code discharging him absolutely or conditionally,

(b) or an order under section 228 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 placing him on probation or under 246(3) of that Act discharging him absolutely, or

(c) an order under the Article 4 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 discharging him absolutely or conditionally . . . ,

he is to be treated for the purposes of sections 29 to 31 or (as the case may be) sections 31A to 31C as having been convicted.

(2) Section 30 has effect subject to the provisions (applying with the necessary modifications) of any enactment relating to the imposition of fines by magistrates’ courts and courts of summary jurisdiction, other than any conferring a discretion as to their amount.

(3) Where a sum is payable by virtue of an order under section 30—

(a) in England and Wales, the sum is to be treated as a fine, and the order as a conviction, for the purposes of Part III of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (including any enactment having effect as if contained in that Part) and of any other enactment relating to the recovery or application of sums ordered to be paid by magistrates’ courts,

(b) in Scotland, the sum is to be treated as a fine, and the order as a conviction, for the purposes of any enactment relating to the recovery or application of sums ordered to be paid by courts of summary jurisdiction, and

(c) in Northern Ireland, the sum is recoverable as a sum adjudged to be paid by a conviction and is to be treated for all purposes as a fine within the meaning of section 20 of the Administration of Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 1954.

Section 32A Immobilisation, removal and disposal of vehicles.

Schedule 2A (which relates to the immobilisation of vehicles as regards which it appears that an offence under section 29(1) is being committed and to their removal and disposal) shall have effect.

Section 33 Not exhibiting licence.

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