Road Traffic Act · 2026 Revised Edition · Part · General
87. Liability of driver and owner for offences
Official textFrom Attorney General's Chambers, unchanged
If —
any vehicle is used which contravenes the provisions of this
vehicle
“vehicle” means any vehicle, including a trailer, constructed, adapted or capable of being used on roads, whether mechanically propelled or not.
Act or of any regulations or order made under this Act;
any vehicle is used in such a state or condition or in such manner as to contravene any such provision; or
anything is done or omitted in connection with a vehicle in contravention of any such provisions, then, unless otherwise expressly provided by this Act —
the driver of the vehicle at the time of the offence is guilty of an offence, unless the offence was not due to any act, omission, neglect or default on his part; and
driver
“driver”, in relation to a motor vehicle, means the person having control of the steering apparatus thereof, including, in relation to a motorcycle, the rider thereof, and in respect of trailer, means the person driving the motor vehicle by which the trailer is being drawn;
owner of the vehicle is also guilty of an offence, if present at the time of the offence, or, if absent, unless the offence was committed without his consent and was not due to any act or omission on his part, and he had taken all reasonable precautions to prevent an offence.
Terms defined in s 2
driver
Defined · s 2“driver”, in relation to a motor vehicle, means the person having control of the steering apparatus thereof, including, in relation to a motorcycle, the rider thereof, and in respect of trailer, means the person driving the motor vehicle by which the trailer is being drawn;
owner
Defined · s 2“owner” means the person in whose name a motor vehicle is registered by a licensing officer: Provided that in the case of a vehicle which is the subject of a hire-purchase agreement, the term means the person in possession of the vehicle under that agreement;
vehicle
Defined · s 2“vehicle” means any vehicle, including a trailer, constructed, adapted or capable of being used on roads, whether mechanically propelled or not.