Regulatory and summary offences
No excise licence (VED)
Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994, s.29
England & Wales. Elements, mode of trial, maximum and defences — not a charging or outcome predictor.
- Triable
- Summary only
- Maximum penalty
- Excise penalty of Level 3
Actus reus
- Uses or keeps on a public road a vehicle without a vehicle licence in force (VERA 1994, s.29 — read the charged use/keep limb).
Mens rea
- Using or keeping without a licence. Statutory exceptions (SORN, nil licence) depend on the facts — read s.29 and related provisions rather than assuming none exist.
Defences
Licence in force · Valid SORN and not used on a public road · Not a public road / not the keeper or user
Sentencing Council
Sentencing Council guideline effective 04 August 2008. Offence range: Discharge to Band C excise penalty This offence is non-endorsable and does not attract penalty points.
At the police station
ANPR and the DVLA record first. Using on a road with a SORN is a different guideline page.
When to involve a rep or solicitor
Police station advice is free under legal aid and is not means-tested.
Authoritative sources for this page
Statute plus Sentencing Council (and CPS where listed) are the two primary sources we used for mode of trial, maximum and elements. Case links are from our verified registry only.
- Statute:Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994, s.29 ↗
- Sentencing Council:Sentencing Council definitive guideline ↗