Section 56: Power to inspect goods vehicles to secure proper maintenance

Road Traffic Act 1972 · 1972 c.20

Part II: Construction and Use of Vehicles and Equipment

56(2)

A goods vehicle examiner—

(a) may at any time, on production if so required of his authority, enter and inspect any goods vehicle, and for that purpose detain the vehicle during such time as is required for the inspection ;

(b) may at any time which is reasonable having regard to the circumstances of the case enter any premises on which he has reason to believe that a goods vehicle is kept.

56(3)

A person who obstructs a goods vehicle examiner in the performance of his duty under subsection (2) above shall be guilty of an offence.

56(4)

A goods vehicle examiner or a constable in uniform may at any time require any person in charge of a stationary goods vehicle on a road to proceed with the vehicle for the purpose of having it inspected under this section to any place where an inspection can be suitably carried out (not being more than one mile from the place where the requirement is made).

56(5)

A person in charge of a goods vehicle who refuses or neglects to comply with a requirement made under subsection (4) above shall be guilty of an offence.

About this text

This legislation text comes from legislation.gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Reuse reviewed 21 August 2026 under Open Government Licence v3.0.