Roads Act, 1920

Penalties.

13.(1) If any person uses any vehicle for which a licence under the Finance Act, 1920, as amended by this Act, is not in force, or being the holder of a general licence or general licences issued under this Act uses at any one time a greater number of vehicles than he is authorised to use by virtue of that licence or those licences, he shall be liable to an excise penalty of twenty pounds, or an excise penalty equal to three times the amount of the duty payable in respect of the vehicle or vehicles, whichever is the greater.

Proceedings for a penalty under this subsection may be brought at any time within a period of twelve months from the date on which the offence was committed.

(2) If any person in connection with an application for a licence for a vehicle or a carriage makes a declaration which to his knowledge is false or in any material respect misleading, or if any person being required by virtue of this Act to furnish particulars in connection with a change of the registration of any vehicle furnishes any particulars which to his knowledge are false or in any material respect misleading, he shall be liable on summary conviction to a penalty not exceeding fifty pounds or to imprisonment with or without hard labour for a term not exceeding six months.

(3) If in any proceedings under this section any question arises as to the number of vehicles used or as to the character, weight or horse-power of any vehicle or as to the number of persons seated by a vehicle, or as to the purpose for which any vehicle has been used, the burden of proof in respect of the matter in question shall lie on the defendant.

(4) If any person forges or fraudulently alters or uses or fraudulently lends or allows to be used by any other person any mark for identifying a vehicle or any licence or registration book under this Act, he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds or to imprisonment with or without hard labour for a term not exceeding six months.

(5) All penalties and forfeitures recovered under or in pursuance of this Act, whether by a county council or by any other person, shall be paid into the Exchequer in such manner and in accordance with such directions as may be contained in any Order in Council made under this Act.