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LEGISLATION AND THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE

The Road Traffic Act permits the construction of small three-wheeled cars under the definition of a motor cycle. The unladen weight, which excludes fuel or accumulators used to power the vehicle, must be less than eight hundredweight. According to the Transport Act 1981 no driving licence, no vehicle registration, no excise duty, no crash helmet and no third party insurance is needed to drive a three-wheeled electric vehicle such as the Sinclair C5. Relevant requirements of the construction and use regulations are summarised; the vehicle must be fitted with pedals by which it is capable of being propelled. It is possible to be convicted of being drunk in charge of a bicycle, but because it is not a motor vehicle a conviction does not count towards the loss of a driving licence. Equally, the vehicle may be parked on double-yellow lines. No headlamps are needed if the maximum speed is less than 15 mile/h. Electric cars are not exempt from MOT tests of roadworthiness but electric goods vehicles are exempt from annual testing. An operators licence is not needed for a fleet of electric goods vehicles. No electric vehicle of any type covered by the Vehicle (Exise) Act 1971 needs to have any annual duty paid. (TRRL)

  • Corporate Authors:

    Barry Rose Law Periodicals Limited

    East Row, Little London
    Chichester, West Sussex,   England 
  • Authors:
    • Gribble, D C
  • Publication Date: 1985-5-6

Media Info

  • Pagination: p. 86-92
  • Serial:
    • Road Law
    • Volume: 1
    • Issue Number: 3
    • Publisher: Barry Rose Law Periodicals Limited

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00466550
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
  • Files: ITRD, TRIS
  • Created Date: Mar 31 1988 12:00AM