2022/25236 - Speed Exemptions
REQUEST
- Do you impose restrictions on how much a police driver trained to standard level can exceed the speed limit when making lawful use of exemptions ?
- If yes to question 1 please provide details of the limits imposed.
- Please provide the relevant policy and procedure documents that detail how a standard level driver may make lawful use of speed exemptions.
RESPONSE
1 Do you impose restrictions on how much a police driver trained to standard level can exceed the speed limit when making lawful use of exemptions?
- If yes to question 1 please provide details of the limits imposed.
Answer to Q1 and Q2 - Yes there is a 20 MPH cap on speed limits for standard drivers.
- Please provide the relevant policy and procedure documents that detail how a standard level driver may make lawful use of speed exemptions.
6.2 Standard driver entitlement
Standard drivers are entitled to drive low performance vehicles and are permitted to respond to immediate response calls.
If standard driver holds the D1 category on their licence and successfully completes the personnel carrier module, they are also authorised to drive these vehicles.
Standard drivers when justified are permitted to use the exemptions afforded by Section 87 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and may use blue lights and sirens as required. Standard drivers are subject to an upper speed limit restriction of 20 mph above the speed limit applicable to that road, with an upper limit of 90 mph on dual-carriageways and motorways. The holder may exceed speed limits subject to these limitations only when it is safe and appropriate to do so. Making use of the speed exemption provided by Section 87 must be for an operational policing purpose or as part of a Driver Training Unit instruction course and not for any other reason.