Road Transport Act, 1935

What is this act about?

This law amends previous Road Transport Acts and introduces controls on the importation of certain mechanically propelled vehicles used for carrying passengers or merchandise. It aims to regulate road transport services and vehicle imports in Saorstát Eireann.

Who it applies to: Owners and companies using mechanically propelled vehicles for carrying merchandise; Licensees under merchandise (existing carrier's) licences.

At a glance

Country: Ireland
Area of law: Transport law
Articles: 9
Source: irishstatutebook.ie
Text retrieved: 2026-06-17
Explanation updated: 2026-07-07

What does this act regulate?

The definition of "carriage for reward" for merchandise transport.
The standard lorry weights for licensees under merchandise (existing carrier's) licences.
The importation of certain mechanically propelled vehicles designed for passenger carriage.
The importation of certain lorries and tractors used for merchandise carriage.

Who does this act apply to?

Owners and companies using mechanically propelled vehicles for carrying merchandise.
Licensees under merchandise (existing carrier's) licences.
Persons importing mechanically propelled vehicles for passenger carriage into Saorstát Eireann.
Persons importing lorries and tractors for merchandise carriage into Saorstát Eireann.

What are the key points?

Merchandise carried by a vehicle owned by a person or a company (or a related company) for their own property is not considered "carriage for reward" for the purposes of the Principal Act.
Standard lorry weights for licensees under a merchandise (existing carrier's) licence that are less than two tons are increased to two tons.
The Minister may increase a licensee's standard lorry weight if the body of a lorry has been replaced by one manufactured in Saorstát Eireann, increasing its unladen weight.
As of July 1st, 1935, it is unlawful for persons (other than authorised companies) to import mechanically propelled vehicles constructed for more than six passengers (excluding the driver) and owned by non-residents, if used for passenger carriage, without a licence from the Minister.
As of July 1st, 1935, it is unlawful for persons (other than authorised companies) to import lorries or tractors owned by non-residents and used for carrying merchandise, without a licence from the Minister.

Transport law

Motor Vehicles (Registration of Importers) Act, 1968

Road Transport Act, 1986

Road Transport Act 2011

Broadcasting and Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1988

Prices (Amendment) Act, 1972

Transport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1979

Air Navigation (Eurocontrol) Act, 1963

Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 1978

Transport law

Legal text

Contents (9)

Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Section 6
Section 7
Section 8
Section 9

Road Transport Act, 1935 Skip to content Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Gaeilge Léim go dtí an t-ábhar Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach English Gaeilge English Produced by the Office of the Attorney General Táirgthe ag Oifig an Ard-Aighne Home Legislation Acts of the Oireachtas Statutory Instruments Pre-1922 Legislation Constitution External Resources Bills (Houses of the Oireachtas) Iris Oifigiúil / Official Gazette Revised Acts (LRC) Classified List of Legislation (LRC) Translations (acts.ie) Translations (Houses of the Oireachtas) Government Publications for Sale EU Law (EUR-Lex) FAQ Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Search Baile Reachtaíocht Achtanna an Oireachtais Ionstraimí Reachtúla Reachtaíocht Réamh-1922 Bunreacht Acmhainní Seachtracha Billí (Tithe an Oireachtais) Iris Oifigiúil Achtanna Athbhreithnithe (CAD) (An Coimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí) Liosta Rangaithe Reachtaíochta Aistriúcháin (achtanna.ie) Aistriúcháin (Tithe an Oireachtais) Foilseacháin Rialtais ar Díol Dlí AE (EUR-Lex) CCanna (Ceisteanna Coitianta) Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach Cuardach TitleTeideal Year(s) or rangeBliain nó blianta nó raon TypeCineál All Legislation Acts Statutory Instruments Advanced SearchCuardach Casta HomeBaile ActsAchtanna 1935 Road Transport Act, 1935 Road Transport Act, 1935 Permanent Page URL View by SectionAmharc de réir Ailt View Full ActAmharc ar an Acht Iomlán Bill History Stair Bille Commencement, Amendments, SIs made under the Act Tosach Feidhme, Leasuithe, IRí arna ndéanamh faoin Acht Revised Act Acht Athbh… Print Full ActPriontáil an tAcht Iomlán Number 23 of 1935.

ROAD TRANSPORT ACT, 1935.

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS Section

Section 1

Definitions.

Section 2

Carriage for reward.

Section 3

Variation of standard lorry weights.

Section 4

Amendment of section 36 of the Principal Act.

Section 5

Amendment of section 63 of the Principal Act.

Section 6

Restriction on importation of certain mechanically propelled vehicles used for carriage of passengers.

Section 7

Restriction on importation of certain lorries and tractors used for the carriage of merchandise.

Section 8

Expenses.

Section 9

Short title.

Acts Referred to Road Transport Act, 1933 No. 8 of 1933 Road Transport Act, 1934 No. 17 of 1934 Number 23 of 1935.

ROAD TRANSPORT ACT, 1935.

AN ACT TO AMEND THE ROAD TRANSPORT ACT, 1933 , AND THE ROAD TRANSPORT ACT, 1934 , AND TO CONTROL THE IMPORTATION OF CERTAIN MECHANICALLY PROPELLED VEHICLES WHICH ARE BEING USED FOR THE CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS OR MERCHANDISE. [20th June, 1935.] BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS OF SAORSTÁT EIREANN AS FOLLOWS:— Definitions.

1.—(1) In this Act the expression “the Principal Act” means the Road Transport Act, 1933 (No. 8 of 1933).

(2)Every word and expression used in this Act to which a particular meaning is given by the Principal Act, as amended by the Road Transport Act, 1934 (No. 17 of 1934), for the purposes of the Principal Act has in this Act the meaning so given to it.

Carriage for reward.

2.—(1) Where— (a) a mechanically propelled vehicle owned by a person or a vehicle drawn by a mechanically propelled vehicle owned by a person is used for the carriage of merchandise the property of such person, or (b) a mechanically propelled vehicle owned by a company or a vehicle drawn by a mechanically propelled vehicle owned by a company is used for the carriage of merchandise the property of any company which is in the same ownership or under the same management as such first-mentioned company, such merchandise shall be deemed, for the purposes of the Principal Act, not to be carried for reward.

(2)

Section 2

of the Road Transport Act, 1934 (No. 17 of 1934), is hereby repealed.

Variation of standard lorry weights.

3.—(1) Where the standard lorry weight for a licensee under a merchandise (existing carrier's) licence is less than two tons, the standard lorry weight for such licensee for the purposes of the Principal Act shall be and is hereby increased to two tons, and the Minister shall, on the application of such licensee, make such amendments in such licence as may be necessary to give effect to this sub-section.

(2)Whenever any person— (a) who is the licensee under a merchandise (existing carrier's) licence for whom there is a standard lorry weight, and (b) who claims— (i) that the body of any lorry, the unladen weight of which is included in such standard lorry weight, has been replaced by a body manufactured in Saorstát Eireann, and (ii) that, as a result of such replacement, the unladen weight of such lorry has been increased, applies to the Minister for a direction under this sub-section, the Minister may, if he thinks fit and if he is satisfied that such claim is well founded, direct that the standard lorry weight for such licensee shall be increased by a weight equal to the difference between the unladen weight of such lorry before such replacement and the unladen weight of such lorry after such replacement, and if such direction is given the standard lorry weight for such licensee for the purposes of the Principal Act shall be the standard lorry weight as so increased, and the Minister shall make such amendments in such licence as may be necessary to give effect to such direction.

(3)The provisions of sub-sections (8), (9) and (10) of section 11 of the Road Transport Act, 1934 (No. 17 of 1934), shall apply in respect of every application under the immediately preceding sub-section in like manner as if such application were an application under the said section 11 .

Amendment of section 36 of the Principal Act.

4.—Sub-section (1) of section 36 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the insertion therein of the words “in a mechanically propelled vehicle” after the words “reward of merchandise,” and the said section shall be construed and have effect accordingly.

Amendment of section 63 of the Principal Act.

5.—(1)

Section 63

of the Principal Act is hereby amended in the following respects and shall be construed and have effect accordingly, that is to say:— (a) by the substitution in clause (i) of paragraph (a) of the said section of the ‘words and was continuously employed (whether such employment commenced before or after the grant of such licence) whole-time, for a period of five years ending on the day preceding the critical date in the operation of the said vehicles, either by such licensee or by such licensee and his predecessor or predecessors in title to such business’ for the words ‘and was so employed continuously for a period of five years ending on the day preceding the critical date’ now contained in the said clause; (b) by the substitution in paragraph (b) of the said section of the words ‘(whether such employment commenced before or after the grant of such licence) whole-time, in the operation of the said vehicles, either by such licensee or by such licensee and his predecessor or predecessors in title to such business’ for the words ‘whole-time by such licensee in the operation of the vehicles used for the purposes of the business authorised by such licence to be carried on’ now contained in the said paragraph; (c) by the substitution in paragraph (c) of the said section of the words ‘either by such licensee or by such licensee and his predecessor or predecessors in title to such business’ for the words ‘by such licensee’ now contained in the said paragraph.

(2)This section shall have and be deemed to have had effect as from the passing of the Principal Act.

Restriction on importation of certain mechanically propelled vehicles used for carriage of passengers.

6.—(1) It shall not be lawful for any person (other than an authorised (passenger carrying) company) to import into Saorstát Eireann on or after the 1st day of July, 1935, any mechanically propelled vehicle which at the time of importation complies with the following conditions (in this section referred to as the statutory conditions), that is to say:— (a) is constructed or adapted for the carriage of passengers by road and has sitting accommodation for more than six persons excluding the driver, and (b) is owned by a person who, if an individual, resides outside Saorstát Eireann, or, if a partnership, has its principal place of business outside Saorstát Eireann or, if a company, has its registered office outside Saorstát Eireann, and (c) is being used for the carriage of passengers, otherwise than under and in accordance with a licence issued under this section.

(2)The Minister may, if he so thinks fit, issue to any person who applies therefor a licence expressed to authorise such person to import into Saorstát Eireann mechanically propelled vehicles which at the time of importation comply with the statutory conditions.

(3)Every licence issued under this section shall operate to authorise the person specified therein to import into Saorstát Eireann mechanically propelled vehicles which at the time of importation comply with the statutory conditions, but subject to the due compliance by such person with the law for the time being in force in relation to the importation of mechanically propelled vehicles and in particular to the payment of the duties of customs (if any) chargeable on such importation.

(4)The Minister may at any time revoke a licence issued under this section.

(5)Mechanically propelled vehicles prohibited to be imported by virtue of this section shall be deemed to be included among the goods enumerated and described in the Table of Prohibitions and Restrictions Inwards contained in section 42 of the Customs Consolidation Act, 1876, and the provisions of that Act, as amended or extended by any subsequent Act, applying to the importation of prohibited or restricted goods, shall apply accordingly.

Restriction on importation of certain lorries and tractors used for the carriage of merchandise.

7.—(1) It shall not be lawful for any person (other than an authorised (merchandise carrying) company) to import into Saorstát Eireann on or after the 1st day of July, 1935, any lorry or tractor which at the time of importation complies with the following conditions (in this section referred to as the statutory conditions), that is to say:— (a) is owned by a person who, if an individual, resides outside Saorstát Eireann, or, if a partnership, has its principal place of business outside Saorstát Eireann or, if a company, has its registered office outside Saorstát Eireann, and (b) if a lorry, is being used for the carriage of merchandise or, if a tractor, is being used for the traction of another vehicle carrying merchandise, otherwise than under and in accordance with a licence issued under this section.

(2)The Minister may, if he so thinks fit, issue to any person who applies therefor a licence expressed to authorise such person to import into Saorstát Eireann lorries and tractors which at the time of importation comply with the statutory conditions.

(3)Every licence issued under this section shall operate to authorise the person specified therein to import into Saorstát Eireann lorries and tractors which at the time of importation comply with the statutory conditions, but subject to the due compliance by such person with the law for the time being in force in relation to the importation of lorries and tractors and in particular to the payment of the duties of customs (if any) chargeable on such importation.

(4)The Minister may at any time revoke a licence issued under this section.

(5)Lorries and tractors prohibited to be imported by virtue of this section shall be deemed to be included among the goods enumerated and described in the Table of Prohibitions and Restrictions Inwards contained in section 42 of the Customs Consolidation Act, 1876 , and the provisions of that Act, as amended or extended by any subsequent Act, applying to the importation of prohibited or restricted goods, shall apply accordingly.

Expenses.

8.—All expenses incurred by the Minister under this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.

Short title.

9.—This Act may be cited as the Road Transport Act, 1935.

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