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Failing to stop a vehicle when required under s.59

s.59Police Reform Act 2002

Failing to stop a moving motor vehicle when ordered to by a uniformed constable using the s.59 power against vehicles driven carelessly or off-road in a way that causes alarm, distress or annoyance.

Failing to stop a vehicle when required under s.59 · Police Reform Act 2002, s.59Card 116 / 195

Points to prove

A constable in uniform had reasonable grounds for believing a motor vehicle was being, or had been, used in a manner which contravened s.3 or s.34 Road Traffic Act 1988
And which was causing, or was likely to cause, alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public
The vehicle was moving and the constable ordered the person driving it to stop (s.59(3)(a))
The person failed to comply with the order (s.59(6))

Key definitions

s.3 and s.34 RTA 1988 – careless or inconsiderate driving, and driving a mechanically propelled vehicle without lawful authority on common land, moorland or other land not forming part of a road, or on a footpath, bridleway or restricted byway.
Motor vehicle – s.59(9): any mechanically propelled vehicle, whether or not intended or adapted for use on roads. This covers off-road motorcycles and quad bikes.
Driving – has the same meaning as in the Road Traffic Act 1988.
The powers – s.59(3): to order a moving vehicle to stop; to seize and remove it; to enter premises (not a private dwelling house) to do either; and to use reasonable force if necessary.

Good to know

s.59 is mainly a seizure power. The only offence it creates is failing to stop when ordered (s.59(6)). The carelessness or off-road driving can be dealt with separately under the 1988 Act.
No warning needed: s.59(4) and (5), which required a warning before seizure in most cases, were removed by the Crime and Policing Act 2026 from 29 June 2026. A vehicle can now be seized on the first occasion, but the change does not apply to vehicle use before that date (CPA 2026 s.8(2)).
Seized vehicles are retained and disposed of under regulations made under s.60. A garage or land around a home is not a “private dwelling house” (s.59(9)).
Failing to stop for a constable under s.163 Road Traffic Act 1988 is a separate offence.

Legislation: Police Reform Act 2002, s.59 (opens legislation.gov.uk in a new tab)
Mode of trial: Summary only
Maximum penalty: A fine not exceeding level 3 (£1,000)
Last checked: 2 November 2026, against the current law on legislation.gov.uk

Failing to stop a vehicle when required under s.59: questions people ask

What are the points to prove for failing to stop a vehicle when required under s.59?

1. A constable in uniform had reasonable grounds for believing a motor vehicle was being, or had been, used in a manner which contravened s.3 or s.34 Road Traffic Act 1988 2. And which was causing, or was likely to cause, alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public 3. The vehicle was moving and the constable ordered the person driving it to stop (s.59(3)(a)) 4. The person failed to comply with the order (s.59(6))

What is the maximum sentence for failing to stop a vehicle when required under s.59?

A fine not exceeding level 3 (£1,000)

Is failing to stop a vehicle when required under s.59 a summary, either-way or indictable offence?

Failing to stop a vehicle when required under s.59 is a summary-only offence: it is tried in the magistrates’ court.

What Act and section is failing to stop a vehicle when required under s.59?

Failing to stop a vehicle when required under s.59 is an offence under the Police Reform Act 2002, s.59.

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