Policing.uk

Production of Driving Documents

Road Traffic Act 1988, s.165

  • Warrant: No
  • Force: No
  • Notice: No

A constable or vehicle examiner may require a person driving a motor vehicle on a road to produce their driving licence, certificate of insurance, and MOT certificate for examination. If the driver cannot produce the documents at the time, they may be required to produce them at a police station within 7 days (an HORT/1 form is issued). This power is integral to routine traffic enforcement.

Conditions

  • The person must be driving a motor vehicle on a road or have been the driver at the time of an accident or traffic offence
  • The officer may be a constable in uniform or a vehicle examiner
  • The driver must produce their driving licence, insurance certificate, and MOT test certificate

Limitations

  • Failure to produce documents when required is an offence, subject to the statutory defence of producing them within 7 days
  • The power does not authorise a search of the vehicle for documents
  • The constable must be in uniform to exercise this power at the roadside

Last updated 24 September 2026