Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984


The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which provided powers to regulate or restrict traffic on roads in Great Britain, in the interest of safety. It superseded some earlier legislation, including the majority of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1967. The act is split into 10 parts covering 147 sections, it also includes 14 schedules.
The act does not apply in Northern Ireland, where the Road Traffic Regulation Order 1997 makes similar provision.

Part 1: General provisions for traffic regulation

Part 1 includes sections 1 to 13 of the act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:
  • Traffic Regulation Orders, known as Traffic Management Orders in Greater London. These are used to make temporary, experimental or permanent restrictions on the use of a section of highway.
  • Regulations outside Greater London
  • Regulations in Greater London
  • Experimental traffic schemes - these can be introduced for up to 18 months, to allow an authority to assess the impacts of a scheme such as traffic diversions.

    Part 3: Crossings and playgrounds

Part 3 includes sections 23 to 31 of the act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:
Part 4 includes sections 32 to 63 of the act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:
  • Provision of off-street parking and parking on roads without payment
  • Control of off-street parking
  • Parking on highways for payment
  • Provision of parking places by parish or community councils
  • Special parking provisions

    Part 5: Traffic signs

Within the act, "traffic signs" has a broad meaning including fixed signs, portable signs and road markings.
Part 5 includes sections 64 to 80 of the act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:
  • General provisions
  • Provisions as to Greater London
  • Supplementary provision

    Part 6: Speed limits

Part 6 includes sections 81 to 91 of the act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:
  • Various powers relating to speed limits including:

    Part 7: Bollards and other obstructions

Part 7 includes sections 92 to 94 of the act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:
  • Bollards and other obstructions

    Part 8: Control and enforcement

Part 8 includes sections 95 to 111 of the act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:
  • Traffic wardens
  • Penalties other than fixed penalties
  • Removal or immobilisation of vehicles
  • Enforcement of excess parking charges

    Part 9: Further provisions as to enforcement

Part 9 includes sections 112 to 121 of the act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:
  • General provisions
  • Special provisions relating to Scotland

    Part 10: General and supplementary provisions

Part 10 includes sections 122 to 147 of the act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:
  • Various supplementary powers including:

    Schedules

The act contains 14 schedules.