13Power to inspect motor vehicles and trailers

13 Power to inspect motor vehicles and trailers

S. 13(1) amended by No. 58/1995 s. 5(1), substituted by No. 81/2006 s. 40(1), amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 147.2(a)).

(1) An authorised officer for the purposes of this section or a police officer may at any reasonable time inspect a motor vehicle or trailer which is being used on a highway if the authorised officer or police officer believes on reasonable grounds that—

(a) the driver of the motor vehicle is not complying with this Act or the regulations in driving a motor vehicle of that kind; or

(b) the motor vehicle or trailer does not comply with this Act or the regulations.

S. 13(1A) inserted by No. 68/2017 s. 72(1).

(1A) A police officer may conduct a random safety inspection of any motor vehicle or trailer that is located in a public place whether the vehicle is attended or unattended.

S. 13(1B) inserted by No. 68/2017 s. 72(1).

(1B) Except as provided in subsection (1C), the power to conduct an inspection of a motor vehicle under subsection (1A) does not include a power to inspect the interior of the motor vehicle.

S. 13(1C) inserted by No. 68/2017 s. 72(1).

(1C) An authorised officer for the purposes of this section or a police officer may inspect under the bonnet, hood or other covering of the engine of the motor vehicle if—

(a) the authorised officer or police officer believes on reasonable grounds that—

(i) the driver of the motor vehicle is not complying with this Act or the regulations in driving a motor vehicle of that kind; or

(ii) the motor vehicle does not comply with this Act or the regulations; or

(b) the driver or the registered operator of the motor vehicle consents to the inspection.

S. 13(2) amended by No. 58/1995 s. 5(1), substituted by No. 81/2006 s. 40(2), amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 147.2(b)).

(2) An authorised officer for the purposes of this section or a police officer may, by notice in accordance with subsection (3), require to be produced for inspection at a place specified in the notice, a motor vehicle or trailer which the authorised officer or police officer has reasonable grounds for suspecting has within the preceding 30 days been used or will be used on a highway if the authorised officer or police officer believes on reasonable grounds that—

(a) the driver of the motor vehicle has not complied with this Act or the regulations in driving a motor vehicle of that kind; or

(b) the motor vehicle or trailer does not comply with this Act or the regulations.

S. 13(3) amended by No. 57/1998 s. 5(5)(d).