Overview

This bill simplifies the process of surrendering driving licences and test certificates after road traffic offences. It clarifies procedures for producing licences in court, updates requirements for fixed penalty notices and conditional offers, and streamlines the process for new drivers.

Description

The Road Traffic Offenders (Surrender of Driving Licences Etc.) Bill amends the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 and the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995. Key changes include:

• Court Procedures: Clarifies the requirement for drivers to produce their licence in court when facing charges that could lead to disqualification.
• Licence Surrender: Introduces a system where the Secretary of State can directly request the surrender of a driving licence following disqualification by a court. Failure to comply is a criminal offence.
• Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) and Conditional Offers: Removes the requirement to surrender a licence when paying an FPN or accepting a conditional offer, but introduces a requirement for clear identification information (name, date of birth, licence number) to be provided when paying the penalty.
• New Drivers: Simplifies the process for surrendering licences and test certificates for new drivers who commit offences. The Secretary of State will manage this process, not the courts.
• Minor Amendments: Makes several minor and consequential amendments to other related Acts to ensure consistency and remove outdated provisions.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to have a significant impact on government spending. The changes primarily involve administrative adjustments within existing processes.

Groups Affected

• Drivers: Drivers facing prosecution for offences that could lead to disqualification will need to be aware of the updated requirements for producing licences in court and surrendering them to the Secretary of State.
• Courts: Court procedures related to licence production will be simplified.
• Police and Enforcement Officers: Changes to FPNs and conditional offers will affect their procedures for issuing notices and processing payments.
• Secretary of State: The Secretary of State will assume more responsibility for managing the surrender of licences and test certificates.
• New Drivers: The surrender process for new drivers will be made simpler.

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