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Updated to 11 December 2024 (Act No. 48 of 2024 and S.I. No. 697 of 2024)

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Road Traffic Act 2002
No. 12 of 2002

Contents

Commencement

SectionCommencement DateCommencement Information
S. 1 31 October 2002 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 491 of 2002), art. 2(1)
Ss. 2-7 insofar as they are not already in operation in relation to Sch. 1 Part 1 ref. 12 1 June 2003 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement) Order 2003 (S.I. No. 214 of 2003), art. 3
Ss. 2-7 insofar as they apply to Sch. 1 part 1, ref. 7  31 October 2002 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 491 of 2002), art. 2(1)(a)
S. 8 insofar as not already in operation 9 January 2013 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Certain Provisions) (Commencement) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 12 of 2013), art. 2(a)
S. 8 insofar as it applies to Sch. 1 part 1, ref. 1 and Sch. 1 part 7 3 August 2012 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) (Penalty Points) Order 2012 (S.I. No. 296 of 2012), art. 2(b)(i)
S. 8 insofar as it applies to Sch. 1 part 1, refs. 2, 3, 10 and 19 and Sch. 1 Part 8, reference no. 1 1 May 2009 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) (Penalty Points) Order 2009 (S.I. No. 149 of 2009), art. 2(b)(i)
S. 8 insofar as it applies to Road Traffic Act 2006 (23/2006), s. 3(3) 1 September 2006 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions relating to Driving while Holding Mobile Phone) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 443 of 2006), art. 2(a)
S. 8 insofar as it applies to Road Traffic Act 1961 (24/1961), ss. 48, 51A, 55, 96, 106, 109 3 April 2006 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 134 of 2006), art. 3(c)(i)
S. 8 insofar as it applies to specified Sch. 1 part 4 3 April 2006 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 134 of 2006), art. 3(c)(ii)
S. 8 insofar as it applies to specified Sch. 1 part 1, ref. 8, 11, 13, 15, 17 3 April 2006 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 134 of 2006), art. 3(c)(iii)
S. 8 insofar as it applies to Sch. 1 part 1, ref. 9  4 June 2004 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2004 (S.I. No. 248 of 2004), art. 3(a)
S. 8 insofar as it applies to Sch. 1 part 2, refs. 15, 16 25 August 2003 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement)(No. 2)Order 2003 (S.I. No. 321 of 2003), art. 3(b)
S. 8 insofar as it applies to Sch. 1 part 1, refs. 7,12 1 June 2003 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement) Order 2003 (S.I. No. 214 of 2003), art. 3(b)
S. 9 28 January 2010 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Section 9) (Commencement) Order 2010 (S.I. No. 11 of 2010), art. 2
    Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 134 of 2006), art. 3(b)
S. 10 Not yet commenced. Requires commencement order under s. 26(2).
S. 11 31 October 2002 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 491 of 2002), art. 2(1)
S. 12(1) 3 April 2006 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 134 of 2006), art. 3(a)
S. 12(2) 1 January 2003 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 598 of 2002), art. 2
S. 12(3), (4) 3 April 2006 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 134 of 2006), art. 3(a)
S. 13 Not yet commenced. Requires commencement order under s. 26(2).
S. 14 3 April 2006 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 134 of 2006), art. 3(b)
S. 15 1 February 2003 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 598 of 2002), art. 3
S. 16 1 February 2013 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Certain Provisions) (Commencement) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 12 of 2013), art. 3
S. 17 Not yet commenced. Requires commencement order under s. 26(2).
S. 18 1 January 2003 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 598 of 2002), art. 2
S. 19 3 April 2006 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 134 of 2006), art. 3(b)
S. 20 9 January 2013 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Certain Provisions) (Commencement) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 12 of 2013), art. 2(b)
S. 21 31 October 2002 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 491 of 2002), art. 2(1)
S. 22 insofar as it is not already in operation 28 July 2015 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Section 22) (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 332 of 2015), art. 2
S. 22 insofar as it applies to Sch. 1 part 1 reference number 1 and Sch. 1 part 7 3 August 2012 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) (Penalty Points) Order 2012 (S.I. No. 296 of 2012), art. 2(b)(i)
S. 22 insofar as it applies to Sch. 1 part 1 reference numbers 2, 3, 10 and 19 and Sch. 1 part 8 reference number 1 1 May 2009 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) (Penalty Points) Order 2009 (S.I. No. 149 of 2009), art. 2(b)(i)
S. 22  insofar as it applies to Road Traffic Act 2006 (23/2006), s. 3(3) 1 September 2006 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions relating to Driving while Holding Mobile Phone) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 443 of 2006), art. 2(a)
S. 22  insofar as it applies to Road Traffic Act 1961 (24/1961), ss. 48, 51A, 55, 96, 106, 109  3 April 2006 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 134 of 2006), art. 3(c)(i)
S. 22 insofar as it applies to Sch. 1 part 4 3 April 2006 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 134 of 2006), art. 3(c)(ii)
S. 22 insofar as it applies to Sch. 1 part 1, reference no. 8, 11, 13, 14, 15 and 17 3 April 2006 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 134 of 2006), art. 3(c)(iii)
S. 22 insofar as it applies to Sch. 1 part 1 reference no. 9 4 June 2004 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2004 (S.I. No. 248 of 2004), art. 3(a)
S. 22 insofar as it applies to Sch. 1 part 2 reference no. 15 and 16 and Road Traffic Act 1961 (24/1961), s. 11 25 August 2003 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement)(No. 2)Order 2003 (S.I. No. 321 of 2003), art. 3(a)
S. 22 insofar as it applies to Sch. 1 part 1 reference no. 12  1 June 2003 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement) Order 2003 (S.I. No. 214 of 2003), art. 3(a)
Ss. 22 insofar as it applies to Sch. 1 part 1 reference no. 7  31 October 2002 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 491 of 2002), art. 2(1)(a)
Ss. 23, 24 31 October 2002 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 491 of 2002), art. 2(1)
S. 25(1) Not yet commenced. Requires commencement order under s. 26(2)
S. 25(2) insofar as it is not already in operation 9 January 2013 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Certain Provisions) (Commencement) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 12 of 2013), art. 2(c)
S. 25(2) insofar as it repeals Road Traffic Act 1961 (24/1961), s. 36(1), (2) as related to Sch. 1 part 1 reference no. 1 and Schedule 1 Part 7 3 August 2012 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) (Penalty Points) Order 2012 (S.I. No. 296 of 2012), art. 2(b)(ii)
S. 25(2) insofar as it repeals Road Traffic Act 1961 (24/1961), s. 36(1), (2) as related to Sch. 1 part 1, reference no. 2,3, 10, and 19 and Schedule 1 Part 8, reference no. 1 1 May 2009 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) (Penalty Points) Order 2009 (S.I. No. 149 of 2009), art. 2(b)(ii)
S. 25(2) insofar as it repeals Road Traffic Act 1961 (24/1961), s. 36(1), (2) as related to Sch. 1 part 1, reference no. 18 1 September 2006 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions relating to Driving while Holding Mobile Phone) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 443 of 2006), art. 2(c)
S. 25(2) insofar as it repeals Road Traffic Act 1961 (24/1961), s. 36(1), (2) as related to Sch. 1 part 1, reference no. 8, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17 3 April 2006 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 134 of 2006), art. 3(d)(i)
S. 25(2) insofar as it repeals Road Traffic Act 1961 (24/1961), s. 36(1), (2) as related to Sch. 1 part 4 3 April 2006 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 134 of 2006), art. 3(d)(ii)
S. 25(2) insofar as it repeals Road Traffic Act 1961 (24/1961), s. 36(1), (2) as related to Sch. 1 part 1, reference no. 9 4 June 2004 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2004 (S.I. No. 248 of 2004), art. 3(b)
S. 25(2) insofar as it repeals Road Traffic Act 1961 (24/1961), s. 36(1), (2) as related to Sch. 1 part 2, reference no. 15, 16 25 August 2003 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement)(No. 2)Order 2003 (S.I. No. 321 of 2003), art. 3(c)
S. 25(2) insofar as it repeals Road Traffic Act 1961 (24/1961), s. 105 1 June 2003 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement) Order 2003 (S.I. No. 214 of 2003), art. 3(c)(i)
S. 25(2) insofar as it repeals Road Traffic Act 1961 (24/1961), s. 36(1), (2) as related to Sch. 1 part 1, reference no. 7, 12 1 June 2003 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement) Order 2003 (S.I. No. 214 of 2003), art. 3(c)(ii)
S. 25(2) insofar as it relates to repeal of Road Traffic Act 1961 (24/1961), s. 104 31 October 2002 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 491 of 2002), art. 2(1)(b)
S. 26 31 October 2002 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 491 of 2002), art. 2
Sch. 1 insofar as it is not already in operation Not yet commenced. Requires commencement order under s. 26(2)
Sch. 1 part 1 reference no.1 insofar as it relates to Road Traffic Act 1961 (24/1961), s. 12 3 August 2012 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) (Penalty Points) Order 2012 (S.I. No. 296 of 2012), art. 2(a)(i),
Sch. 1 part 1 reference no. 2 insofar as amended by Road Traffic Act 2006 (23/2006), s. 16(2)(c) 1 May 2009 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) (Penalty Points) Order 2009 (S.I. No. 149 of 2009), art. 2(a)(i)
Sch. 1 part 1 reference no. 2A 17 November 2014 Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012 (Commencement) (Penalty Points — Certificate of Road Worthiness) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 508 of 2014), art. 2
Sch. 1 part 1 reference no. 3 insofar as amended by Road Traffic Act 2006 (23/2006), s. 16(2)(c) 1 May 2009 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) (Penalty Points) Order 2009 (S.I. No. 149 of 2009), art. 2(a)(i)
Sch. 1 part 1, reference no. 7 insofar as it relates to Road Traffic Act 1961 (24/1961), s. 47 31 October 2002 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 491 of 2002), art. 2
Sch. 1 part 1 reference no. 9 insofar as it relates to Road Traffic Act 1961 (24/1961), s. 52 4 June 2004 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2004 (S.I. No. 248 of 2004), art. 3(a)
Sch. 1 part 1 reference no. 10 insofar as amended by Road Traffic Act 2006 (23/2006), s. 16(2)(c) 1 May 2009 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) (Penalty Points) Order 2009 (S.I. No. 149 of 2009), art. 2(a)(i)
Sch. 1 part 1 reference no. 12 insofar as it relates to Road Traffic Act 1961 (24/1961), s. 56 1 June 2003 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement) Order 2003 (S.I. No. 214 of 2003), art. 3
Sch. 1 part 1 reference no. 18 insofar as amended by Road Traffic Act 2006 (23/2006), s. 16(2)(c) 1 September 2006 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions relating to Driving while Holding Mobile Phone) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 443 of 2006), art. 2(b)
Sch. 1 part 1 reference no. 19 insofar as amended by Road Traffic Act 2006 (23/2006), s. 16(2)(c) 1 May 2009 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) (Penalty Points) Order 2009 (S.I. No. 149 of 2009), art. 2(a)(i)
Sch. 1 part 2 reference no. 15, 16 25 August 2003 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement)(No. 2) Order 2003 (S.I. No. 321 of 2003), art. 3
Sch. 1 part 6 8 December 2014 Road Traffic Act 2006 (Commencement) (Penalty Point — Speed Limitation Devices) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 560 of 2014), art. 2(b)
Sch. 1 part 7 3 August 2012 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) (Penalty Points) Order 2012 (S.I. No. 296 of 2012), art. 2(a)(ii)
Sch. 1 part 8 reference no. 1 insofar amended by Road Traffic Act 2006 (23/2006), s. 16(2)(e) 1 May 2009 Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) (Penalty Points) Order 2009 (S.I. No. 149 of 2009), art. 2(a)(ii)
Sch. 2 Not yet commenced. Requires commencement order under s. 26(2)

Amendments and other effects

How AffectedAffecting Provision
Act included in collectively cited Road Traffic Acts s. 26(3)
S. 1(1) amended 3/2014, ss. 1(2), 8(a)(i), (ii)
  25/2010, ss. 1(2), 53(1)
  23/2006, ss. 11(2), 23(2)
S. 1A inserted 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 53(2)
Ss. 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 Min. function conferred on Road Safety Authority S.I. No. 477 of 2006, art. 2
Ss. 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 Min. power to confer own functions on Road Safety Authority and refs. to Min. to include ref. to Authority 14/2006, s. 4(2)
S. 2(1) substit. 39/2014, s. 2(1)
S. 2(1) am. 3/2014, ss. 1(2), 8(b)(i)
  16/2012, ss. 1(2), 44(a)
  25/2010, ss. 1(2), 53(3)(a)
  23/2006, ss. 16(1), 23(2)
S. 2(2) substituted with transitional provisions 10/2024, ss. 1(2), 3(1)(a), (2)
S. 2(2) am. 39/2014, s. 2(2)
S. 2(3) repealed with transitional provisions 10/2024, ss. 1(2), 3(1)(b), (2)
S. 2(3A), (4A) inserted with transitional provisions 10/2024, ss. 1(2), 3(1)(c), (2)
S. 2(4) repealed with transitional provisions 10/2024, ss. 1(2), 3(1)(d), (2)
S. 2(5) amended 10/2024, ss. 1(2), 3(1)(e)
  44/2004, ss. 1(2), 16(a)
S. 2(6) amended 10/2024, ss. 1(2), 3(1)(f)
S. 2(6)(a) substit. 44/2004, ss. 1(2), 16(b)
S. 2(7) substit. 3/2014, ss. 1(2), 8(b)(ii)
  25/2010, ss. 1(2), 53(3)(b)
S. 2(8) amended 10/2024, ss. 1(2), 4(1)(a)
S. 2(8A) inserted 10/2024, ss. 1(2), 4(1)(b)
S. 2(10) rep. 3/2014, ss. 1(2), 5(2)
S. 2(10) subsec. ins. 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 53(3)(c)
S. 3(1) substit. 3/2014, ss. 1(2), 8(c)
  25/2010, ss. 1(2), 64(2)
S. 3(2) applied 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 29(15)
S. 4 applied 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 29(6)
S. 5(1)(b) substit. 3/2014, ss. 1(2), 8(d)
S. 5(1)(b) am. 16/2012, ss. 1(2), 52(a)
S. 6 substituted 16/2023, ss. 1(2), 12(a)
  25/2010, ss. 1(2), 53(4)
S. 6(a) substituted 18/2018, ss. 3(a), 6(2)
S. 7 amended 18/2018, ss. 3(b), 6(2)
S. 7(4) substit. 44/2004, ss. 1(2), 17
S. 9 deleted 21/2016, ss. 1(2), 41
S. 9(1) am. 16/2012, ss. 1(2), 52(b)
S. 9(1)(a) substit. 14/2006, s. 38
S. 9(8) substit. 44/2004, ss. 1(2), 25
S. 9(9) am. 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 68(a)
S. 9(9)(a) substit. 44/2004, ss. 1(2), 25
S. 9(12)(a) am. 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 68(b)
S. 10 rep. 37/2003, ss. 4, 5 (3)
S. 11 rep. 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 49(b)
S. 13 rep. 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 91
S. 14(2) applied 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 29(19)(c), 43(3), 81(7)(c)
  23/2006, ss. 5(15)(c), 23(2)
S. 14(3) applied 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 29(19)(c), 43(3), 81(7)(c)
  23/2006, ss. 5(15)(c), 23(2)
S. 14(4) applied 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 29(19)(c), 43(3), 81(7)(c)
  23/2006, ss. 5(15)(c), 23(2)
S. 15 rep. 37/2013, ss. 1(2), 4(b)
S. 16 issue of guidelines until commencement of s. 16 15/2008, ss. 4, 66(3)
S. 18 rep. 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 59(2)(b)
S. 21 rep. 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 81(10)(a)
S. 21(1) am. 23/2006, ss. 17(a), 23(2)
S. 21(1) substit. 44/2004, ss. 1(2), 15(a)
S. 21(2) am. 23/2006, ss. 17(b), 23(2)
S. 21(2)(a)(i) substit. 44/2004, ss. 1(2), 15(b)
S. 21(3)(a) substit. 44/2004, ss. 1(2), 15(c)
S. 21(5) am. 23/2006, ss. 17(b), 23(2)
S. 21(5), (6) ins. 44/2004, ss. 1(2), 15(d)
S. 21(7) subsec. ins. 23/2006, ss. 17(c), 23(2)
S. 21(8) subsec. ins. 23/2006, ss. 17(c), 23(2)
S. 22(1) substituted 21/2016, ss. 1(2), 33(a)
  25/2010, ss. 1(2), 63
  44/2004, ss. 1(2), 21
S. 22(2) amended 21/2016, ss. 1(2), 33(b)
S. 23 repealed 23/2006, ss. 18(2), 23(2)
S. 23 am. 44/2004, ss. 1(2), 35
  25/2003, s.56 (a) (b)
Sch. 1 part 1 amended 39/2014, s. 2(3)
  3/2014, ss. 1(2), 10(a)(i), (ii)
  25/2010, ss. 1(2), 54(a)
  23/2006, ss. 16(2), 23(2)
  23/2006, ss. 16(2)(a), 23(2)
  44/2004, ss. 1(2), 22(a)
  25/2003, s.57, table.
Sch. 1 part 1A inserted 3/2014, ss. 1(2), 10(b)
Sch. 1 part 1 ref. no. 2A(4) amended 21/2016, ss. 1(2), 34(b)
Sch. 1 part 2 amended 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 54(b)(i)
  23/2006, ss. 16(2)(d), 23(2)
Sch. 1 part 2 ref. nos. 1-3 deleted 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 54(b)(ii)
Sch. 1 part 4 amended 3/2014, ss. 1(2), 10(c)
  31/2005, s.138 (7)
  44/2004, ss. 1(2), 22(b)
Sch. 1 part 4 ref. 4 substituted 16/2023, ss. 1(2), 12(b)
Sch. 1 part 4 ref. 4a inserted 16/2023, ss. 1(2), 12(b)
Sch. 1 part 4 ref. no. 8 substituted 21/2016, ss. 1(2), 35(1)
Sch. 1 part 4 ref. no. 27 inserted 3/2014, ss. 1(2), 10(c)(v)
Sch. 1 part 5 substituted 3/2014, ss. 1(2), 10(d)
  25/2010, ss. 1(2), 54(c)
Sch. 1 part 6 commenced 8 December 2014 S.I. No. 560 of 2014, 2(b)
Sch. 1 part 6 inserted 23/2006, ss. 16(2)(e), 23(2)
Sch. 1 part 6 ref. no 1 amended 3/2014, ss. 1(2), 10(e)
Sch. 1 part 7 inserted 23/2006, ss. 16(2)(e), 23(2)
Sch. 1 part 7 amended 3/2014, ss. 1(2), 10(f)(i), (ii)
Sch. 1 part 8 deleted 39/2014, s. 2(4)
Sch. 1 part 8 inserted 23/2006, ss. 16(2)(e), 23(2)
Sch. 1 part 8, ref. no. 1 amended 3/2014, ss. 1(2), 10(g)
Sch. 1 part 9 inserted 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 54(d)
Sch. 1 parts 10, 11 inserted 3/2014, ss. 1(2), 10(h)
Sch. 1 part 12 inserted 21/2016, ss. 1(2), 34(a)
Sch. 2 deleted 21/2016, ss. 1(2), 41
Sch. 2, title amended 25/2010, ss. 1(2), 68(c)

SIs made under the Act

SectionSIs made under the Act
None