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THE UK ROAD TRAFFIC ACT ON MOTOR INSURANCE SUMMERY

Road Traffic Act (RTA 1988) as amended by Road Traffic Act 1991 (RTA 1991). These acts deal not only with the insurance of motor vehicles but also with many aspects of road law.

The UK RTA 1988 on motor insurance is divided into the following parts:
1) Principal Road safety provisions. This is concerned with driving offences and the promotion of road safety. It is an offence to drive or be in charge of a motor vehicle when under the influence of drink or drugs. Certain offences were amended by RTA 1991 for example death by reckless driving as prescribed by RTA 1988, no longer exists. There are now two offences: a) causing death by dangerous driving b) causing death by driving when under the influence of drink or drugs.

2) Construction and Use of vehicles and equipment. This deals with testing of vehicles, maintenance and loading of goods vehicles.

3) Licensing of drivers. This includes the test and physical fitness of drivers. The minimum age for obtaining a driving licence in respect to different types of vehicle is as follows: (mopeds 16 and above, cars and motorcycles 17 and above, all commercial vehicles over 7.5 tonnes 21 and above)

4) Licensing of large goods vehicles and passenger carrying vehicles.

5) Driving Instruction. In order to instruct another driver (for payment) you need to be an improved instructor.

6) Third party liabilities. This is a key section in relation to UK motor insurance laws. Section 143 deals with compulsory insurance or security against third party risks and users of motor vehicles to be insured against third party risks. This part of the act says that persons should not use a motor vehicle on the road without motor insurance, that a person should not let others drive their car without motor insurance. Breach of these points is an offence. The word 'use' is much wider than just driving it. The presence on the road is sufficient to constitute use.

Motor insurance policies must be held by an 'authorised insurer' who are defined in the Motor Insurance Companies Act (1982). They must also be members of the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB).

Sub-section 3 says that the policy must cover against death or bodily injury or third party property damage. It must also cover motoring within the European Union (EU) The third EU motor insurance directive goes into the minimum standards of cover whilst in Europe.