Advice to Police drivers (in light of police, crime, sentencing & courts act 2022)

9 August 2023

It is critical police drivers do not drive until they have secured a licence under the new law from an accredited instructor.

Through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which was enshrined in law last year, police drivers have greater legal protection thanks to years of campaigning by the Police Federation of England and Wales.

The law now takes into account the high standards of training received by police drivers, which means their driving will no longer be judged to the same standard of the careful and competent driving member of public.

However, any manoeuvre performed must be within their training, and officers must be up to date with their training.

The guidance issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had to be updated to reflect the changes that came into effect on 30 November 2022, with the new legal test for police drivers.

This test is covered through Statutory Instrument 1112 which all forces should now be complying with.

PFEW is urging all officers to make sure they are fully aware of the new legislation and the regulations that underpin that law.

An FAQ document has been produced by PFEW and the NPCC and aims to help officers better understand the new laws regarding their driving.

Read the FAQs.