Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 section 47

Proceedings in England and Wales or Northern Ireland

Section 47 sets out the rules governing who may bring criminal proceedings for vehicle excise offences in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the time limits within which such proceedings must be started.

• Only the Secretary of State or a police constable (with the Secretary of State's approval) may bring proceedings for certain vehicle excise offences in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
• Proceedings for those offences, or for breaches of regulations under the Act, may be started within six months of the date on which sufficient evidence came to the knowledge of the Secretary of State or the constable.
• Regardless of when evidence comes to light, no proceedings may be started more than three years after the offence was committed.
• Signed certificates from or on behalf of the Secretary of State serve as conclusive proof both of approval for a constable to prosecute and of the date on which sufficient evidence was obtained.

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