The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (c. 27) is an
Act of the
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body of the United Kingdom, and may also legislate for the Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories. It meets at the Palace ...
, 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 It superseded some earlier legislation, including the majority of the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 (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (
SI 1997/276) 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 (TRO), known as Traffic Management Orders (TMO) 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:
* Pedestrian crossings
* School crossings
* Street playgrounds
Part 4: Parking places

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
[RAC Foundation, The control of parking by local authorities, https://www.racfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/elliot-parking-enforcement-main-report-16082010.pdf]
* 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:
:: Speed limits on restricted and non-restricted roads
:: Traffic signs indicating speed restrictions
:: Speeding offences
:: Approval of radar speed measuring devices
:: Speed limitations to certain types of vehicle (section 86)
:: Speed limit Exemptions for vehicles used for police, fire, ambulance, or
National Crime Agency
The National Crime Agency (NCA) is a Law enforcement agency#natlea, national law enforcement agency in the United Kingdom. It is the UK's lead agency against organised crime; Human trafficking, human, Arms trafficking, weapon and Illegal drug t ...
purposes (section 87)
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:
:: Exercise of functions by local authorities
:: Boundary roads
:: Footpaths, bridleways and byways open to all traffic
:: Power to hold inquiries
:: Application of the Act to Crown roads
:: Application of the Act to the Isles of Scilly
:: Vehicles used for marine salvage
:: Hovercraft
:: Tramcars and trolley vehicles
Schedules
The Act contains 14 schedules.
See also
*
Highways Act 1980
The Highways Act 1980 (c. 66) is an act of Parliament (UK), act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom dealing with the management and operation of the road network in England and Wales. It consolidated with amendments several earlier pieces ...
*
Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions
References
External links
The full text of the Act at legislation.gov.uk
{{UK legislation
United Kingdom Acts of Parliament 1984
Road safety
Traffic law
Roads in the United Kingdom
1984 in transport
Transport policy in the United Kingdom
Road safety in the United Kingdom
History of transport in the United Kingdom
Transport legislation