National Police Promotion Framework (NPPF) Step 2 Legal Exam (OSPRE Part 1) Road Traffic Syllabus

Road Traffic syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Road Traffic in National Police Promotion Framework (NPPF) Step 2 Legal Exam (OSPRE Part 1), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Definitions and Key Concepts

   3 topics

   • Core Definitions
     • Motor vehicle, mechanically propelled vehicle and trailer
     • Road and other public place
     • Driving, attempting to drive and being in charge
   • Drivers and Documents
     • Driving licences and provisional entitlements
     • Production of documents and the driver's duties
   • Enforcement Personnel and Powers
     • Powers to require name, address and details
     • Powers to stop vehicles
     • Duty to give information as to identity of driver
2. 2

   Standards of Driving

   3 topics

   • Dangerous and Careless Driving
     • Dangerous driving (s.2 Road Traffic Act 1988)
     • Careless and inconsiderate driving (s.3)
     • Causing death by dangerous or careless driving
   • Other Driving Offences
     • Wanton or furious driving
     • Causing serious injury by dangerous driving
     • Cycling offences
   • Driving While Disqualified or Unlicensed
     • Driving while disqualified
     • Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence
     • Causing death while driving unlicensed or uninsured
3. 3

   Drink, Drugs and Driving

   3 topics

   • Impairment Offences
     • Driving while unfit through drink or drugs (s.4)
     • Driving over the prescribed limit (s.5)
     • Driving with specified drugs above limits (s.5A)
   • Testing Procedures
     • Preliminary tests and breath, blood and urine specimens
     • Failing to provide a specimen
     • Hospital procedure
   • Evidence and Defences
     • Evidential and statutory assumptions on alcohol levels
     • The hip-flask defence and post-driving consumption
     • Disqualification and penalties
4. 4

   Collisions, Construction and Insurance

   3 topics

   • Road Traffic Collisions
     • Duties following a collision (s.170 RTA 1988)
     • Reporting requirements and providing information
   • Vehicle Standards and Insurance
     • Construction and use regulations
     • Test certificates and vehicle excise duty
     • Using a vehicle without insurance
   • Notices and Enforcement
     • Notice of intended prosecution
     • Fixed penalty system and endorsements
     • Powers to stop and seize vehicles

Road Traffic flashcards for National Police Promotion Framework (NPPF) Step 2 Legal Exam (OSPRE Part 1)

25 of 50 cards from the Road Traffic deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. Under s.192 Road Traffic Act 1988, how is a "road" defined?

   Any highway and any other road to which the public has access, and includes bridges over which a road passes.

2. What is the legal definition of a "motor vehicle" under s.185 Road Traffic Act 1988?

   A mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on roads.

3. What distinguishes a "mechanically propelled vehicle" from a "motor vehicle" in road traffic law?

   A mechanically propelled vehicle is any vehicle propelled by mechanical means regardless of intended use; a motor vehicle is the subset that is intended or adapted for use on roads. Some serious offences (e.g. dangerous driving) apply to mechanically propelled vehicles, widening their scope.

4. What is a "public place" for road traffic purposes?

   A place to which the public have access (whether by payment or not) at the material time. It is a question of fact; access must be by the public as such, not a restricted class (e.g. a private members-only car park may not qualify, but a pub car park open to customers usually does).

5. What two elements establish "driving" a vehicle in law?

   The person must be in the driving seat or in control of the steering, AND have something to do with the propulsion (movement and direction) of the vehicle. The test is whether they were in a substantial sense controlling the movement and direction.

6. Which animals count when deciding whether a road traffic collision is "reportable" under s.170 RTA 1988?

   Horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep, pig, goat and dog. (A cat is notably excluded.)

7. Under s.164 RTA 1988, who may a constable require to produce their driving licence, and in what circumstances?

   A person driving a motor vehicle on a road; a person believed to have been the driver when an accident occurred; a person believed to have committed a road traffic offence; and a supervisor of a provisional licence holder.

8. What is the HORT/1 (producer) procedure and the time period allowed?

   Where a driver cannot produce documents (licence, insurance, MOT) at the roadside, they may be required to produce them at a nominated police station within 7 days, or as soon as reasonably practicable, or to show it was not reasonably practicable to produce before the proceedings.

9. What does s.165 RTA 1988 empower a constable to require regarding documents?

   A constable may require a driver (or person reasonably believed to have been driving/committed an offence) to give their name and address, the owner's name and address, and to produce the certificate of insurance, test certificate and other relevant documents.

10. List three core conditions a provisional licence holder driving a car must satisfy.

    Display L-plates (or D-plates in Wales), be supervised by a qualified driver (held a full licence for that category for at least 3 years and aged 21+), and not drive on a motorway.

11. Under s.163 RTA 1988, what power does a constable have to stop vehicles, and what is the key requirement?

    A constable in uniform (or a traffic officer) may require a person driving a mechanically propelled vehicle, or riding a cycle, on a road to stop. Failure to stop is an offence. The constable must be in uniform.

12. Under s.165A RTA 1988, when may a constable seize a motor vehicle?

    Where a person fails to stop/produce, and the constable reasonably believes the vehicle is being (or has been) driven without a licence (contrary to s.87) or without insurance (contrary to s.143), the constable in uniform may seize the vehicle (after warning the driver, unless impracticable).

13. State the statutory test for "dangerous driving" under s.2A RTA 1988.

    A person drives dangerously if (a) the way they drive falls FAR BELOW what would be expected of a competent and careful driver, AND (b) it would be OBVIOUS to a competent and careful driver that driving in that way would be dangerous. "Dangerous" means danger of injury to a person or serious damage to property.

14. State the statutory standard for "careless driving" (driving without due care and attention) under s.3 RTA 1988.

    A person drives without due care and attention if the way they drive falls BELOW what would be expected of a competent and careful driver (an objective test). The alternative limb is driving without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road.

15. What is the key difference in the standard of driving between careless driving (s.3) and dangerous driving (s.2)?

    Careless = driving falls BELOW the standard of a competent and careful driver. Dangerous = driving falls FAR BELOW that standard AND it would be obvious to a competent driver that it would be dangerous.

16. What offence is created by s.1 RTA 1988 and is it indictable?

    Causing death by dangerous driving. It is an indictable-only offence (triable on indictment at Crown Court).

17. What does s.3A RTA 1988 create, and what are its limbs?

    Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs. It applies where the driver caused death by driving carelessly AND was unfit through drink/drugs, OR over the prescribed alcohol limit, OR over a specified drug limit, OR failed to provide a specimen, OR failed to give permission for a blood sample.

18. What offence is created by s.2B RTA 1988?

    Causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving (without any drink/drug element) — causing the death of another person by driving below the standard of a competent and careful driver.

19. Under s.36 RTA 1988, what is the offence relating to traffic signs?

    Failing to comply with a traffic sign that is lawfully placed and prescribed (e.g. a stop sign, give way, red traffic light, no entry). The sign must conform to the relevant regulations or be authorised.

20. What is the offence under reg.110 / s.41D RTA 1988 concerning mobile phones?

    Using a hand-held mobile phone or other hand-held interactive communication device while driving a motor vehicle on a road. Carries fixed penalty points and a fine.

21. Under s.14/s.15 RTA 1988, summarise the adult seat belt requirement.

    It is an offence to drive, or for an adult to ride in, a motor vehicle on a road without wearing a seat belt where one is provided, subject to exemptions. The driver is responsible for ensuring children under 14 are appropriately restrained.

22. What is the offence under s.87 RTA 1988?

    Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence — i.e. driving a vehicle of a class for which the person does not hold a licence (e.g. no licence at all, or wrong category, or breach of provisional conditions). It is also an offence to cause/permit another to do so.

23. What is the offence under s.103 RTA 1988 (driving while disqualified), and what must be proved?

    Driving a motor vehicle on a road while disqualified by order of a court. The prosecution must prove the person was disqualified at the time and that they drove on a road. It is a strict-liability-style offence; belief that the disqualification had ended is generally no defence.

24. For driving while disqualified, can a constable arrest, and how is identity typically proved?

    Disqualification is proved by certified court records linked to the defendant (often via DVLA/PNC and admissions or fingerprints). Identity of the disqualified person as the driver is a key evidential element the prosecution must establish.

25. State the offence under s.4 RTA 1988.

    Driving or attempting to drive (or being in charge of) a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or public place while UNFIT to drive through drink or drugs — i.e. ability to drive is impaired. No need to prove a specific alcohol/drug level; impairment is the test.

See more Road Traffic flashcards →

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