© Les Kelly 2013

Traffic and Transport Laws of the

United Kingdom

© Les Kelly 2013

Subjects Covered• Road Traffic Enforcement Organisations• The Highway Code• Driving Licences • Penalties & Endorsements• Operator Licences• Operator Compliance Risk Score (O.C.R.S)• Vehicle Safety• Legal Responsibilities• Construction & Use Regulations© Les Kelly 2013

© Les Kelly 2013

United Kingdom Battenberg Colour Recognition

Police

Coastguard

Highways AgencyVOSA

Fire

Ambulance

Blood

Rail

Mountain Rescue

Light Blue

Dark Blue

Black

© Les Kelly 2013

• They have the power to stop all vehicles on the road (not just LGV or PCV)

• They can issue Graduated Fixed Penalty Notices (on the spot fines) of up to £200

• If you think of the Traffic Commissioner as a judge, then VOSA are the equivalent of the Police

There are two types of VOSA officer you may

encounter on the road• Traffic Officers, who are primarily concerned with O’

Licensing, Drivers’ Hours, Tachographs and Working Time compliance

• Vehicle Examiners, who are mainly interested in the mechanical condition of the vehicle

• This is why they often work together in pairs

Do you know your speed limits?

Speed limits Built-up areas

Singlecarriageway

Dualcarriageway

Motorway

 Type of vehicle mph (km/h) mph (km/h) mph (km/h) mph (km/h)

 Cars & motorcycles(including car-derived vans up to 2 tonnes maximum laden weight)

30 (48) 60 (96) 70 (112) 70 (112)

 Cars towing caravans or trailers(including car-derived vans and motorcycles)

30 (48) 50 (80) 60 (96) 60 (96) 

 Buses, coaches and minibuses(not exceeding 12 metres in overall length)

30 (48) 50 (80)  60 (96) 70 (112)

 Goods vehicles(not exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight)

30 (48) 50 (80) 60 (96)

70 (112)

 Goods vehicles(exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximumladen weight)

30 (48) 40 (64) 50 (80) 60 (96)

© Les Kelly 2013

Remember!If your vehicle is fitted with a speed limiter orother speed restriction device the legal limit onthe motorway changes to the set speed of thelimiter or device

So if your vehicle is setto 54 mph that is yourlegal limit NOT 60 or 70 mph

© Les Kelly 2013

Traffic SignsThis slide will show four signs with the same symbol, however, they all mean a

different thing. Can you tell what?

Warning for cyclists

Cycle route (must use)

No cycling

Cycle lane

1. New design showing a full table of categories, pictograms, start & expiry dates & any codes that apply

2. The legend that contains an explanation of each fields contents3. Overflow of information/restriction codes

© Les Kelly 2013

© Les Kelly 2013

2013 changes

Drivers responsibilities under the O Licence

• They must be the holder of a current vocational driving licence for the class and type of vehicle to be driven

• They must ensure that the vehicle to be driven is in a serviceable and roadworthy condition

• They must comply with all regulations governing driving and the use of LGV & PCV vehicles

• They must comply with all regulations in respect of Drivers’ Hours Rules and Tachographs

© Les Kelly 2013

The Operator Compliance Risk Score

The colour code• Grey means that the operator has not been

checked on roadside for over a year• Green means that the operator is compliant• Amber means that the operator has some issues

that need attention and may be liable to a site visit• Red means that the operator has a very poor

record and needs attention through site visits and reports to the traffic commissioner for public enquiry

© Les Kelly 2013

The Operator Compliance Risk Score

OCRS scores are;

1. Snapshots of time only2. Recorded and kept for approximately 2 years3. Updated on a weekly basis4. Points based5. A joint responsibility of the operator and the driver6. A tool for government to regulate the transport / passenger

transport industryFailure to comply with the OCRS can result in prosecution for

the driver and operator, action may be taken against the operators licence and the driver’s vocational licence by

the Traffic Commissioner© Les Kelly 2013