The powers library09 of 59 Stop and search

Road checks

s.4Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984

Lets the police stop all vehicles, or vehicles picked by a set criterion, in a specified locality to find out whether a vehicle is carrying an offender, a witness, an intending offender or a person unlawfully at large.

Road checks · Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, s.4Card 09 / 59

When you can use it

s.4(1)Purpose is to find a vehicle carrying an offender, a witness, a person intending to commit an offence, or a person unlawfully at large
The offence must not be a road traffic offence or a vehicle excise offence
s.4(3)Written authorisation by a superintendent or above (unless urgent)
Offender or intending offenderReasonable grounds to believe the offence is (or would be) indictable, and to suspect the person is, or is about to be, in the locality
WitnessReasonable grounds to believe the offence is indictable (no locality test)
Unlawfully at largeReasonable grounds to suspect the person is, or is about to be, in the locality
s.4(5)Any officer below superintendent may authorise it if it appears to be required as a matter of urgency for one of the purposes

What it allows

Stopping all vehicles, or vehicles chosen by any criterion (for example, all red vans), in a specified locality.
The stop itself is made under the Road Traffic Act 1988, s.163, by a constable in uniform.
A superintendent’s authorisation lasts up to 7 days, continuous or at specified times. A superintendent or above may extend it in writing for further periods of up to 7 days each.

Key definitions

Road check – s.4(2): using the s.163 power in a locality so as to stop, for the period it continues, all vehicles or vehicles selected by any criterion.
Indictable offence – an offence triable on indictment, so either way offences are included.
Unlawfully at large – for example, an escaped prisoner or someone who has absconded from lawful custody.

Safeguards

Every written authorisation must state the name of the authorising officer, the purpose (including any relevant indictable offence) and the locality (s.4(10), (13), (14)).
Urgent authorisation – the officer must record the time it was given and have a superintendent or above informed, both as soon as practicable. That officer may authorise the check to continue in writing (s.4(8)). If not, they must record in writing that it took place and its purpose (s.4(9)). The 7-day limit in s.4(11) does not apply to the urgent authorisation itself.
The person in charge of a stopped vehicle is entitled to a written statement of the purpose if they apply within 12 months of the stop (s.4(15)).
Each force’s annual report must include the reason for, and result of, each road check authorised (s.5).

Good to know

Failing to stop when required by a constable in uniform is an offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988, s.163(3).
Section 4 gives no power to search. Searching a vehicle or its occupants needs a separate power, such as PACE s.1, and Code A then applies.
Exam trap: the witness ground needs no suspicion about the locality, and the unlawfully at large ground needs no indictable offence.
Other powers to stop vehicles for other purposes are not affected (s.4(16)).

Legislation: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, s.4 (opens legislation.gov.uk in a new tab)
Who can use it: A superintendent or above (authorisation), or a lower rank if urgent
Last checked: 3 November 2026, against the current law on legislation.gov.uk

Road checks: questions people ask

When can the police use road checks?

1. Purpose is to find a vehicle carrying an offender, a witness, a person intending to commit an offence, or a person unlawfully at large 2. The offence must not be a road traffic offence or a vehicle excise offence 3. Written authorisation by a superintendent or above (unless urgent) 4. Reasonable grounds to believe the offence is (or would be) indictable, and to suspect the person is, or is about to be, in the locality 5. Reasonable grounds to believe the offence is indictable (no locality test) 6. Reasonable grounds to suspect the person is, or is about to be, in the locality 7. Any officer below superintendent may authorise it if it appears to be required as a matter of urgency for one of the purposes

Who can use road checks?

A superintendent or above (authorisation), or a lower rank if urgent.

What law gives the power for road checks?

Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, s.4.

More stop and search powers

All stop and search powers