Locomotive Acts

The Locomotive Acts were a series of Acts of Parliament in the United Kingdom regulating the use of mechanically propelled vehicles on public highways in Britain during the latter part of the 19th century. One of them, the Locomotives Act 1865 is known as the Red Flag Act.

The first three, the Locomotive Act 1861 (24 & 25 Vict. c. 70), the Locomotives Act 1865 (28 & 29 Vict. c. 83) and Highways and Locomotives (Amendment) Act 1878 (41 & 42 Vict. c. 77), regulated the use of locomotives and restricted their speed and operation. The second also reorganised the highway districts of the Highways Act 1835 as highway boards and vested in them former turnpike roads in their area and those which subsequently disturnpiked. The final act, the Locomotives Act 1898, required locomotives which were used on highways in a county to be licensed by that county and other locomotives (agricultural and steam rollers) to be registered. All locomotives were to carry plates showing their licence or registration.

The Locomotive Act 1861 regulated the use of locomotives (which at this date were all steam-powered) on turnpike and other public roads. It limited the maximum size and weight of locomotives and set the rates of toll which turnpikes could charge. Locomotives needed a crew of two (although not stated, these would have been the driver and the stoker), with a third man if there were more than two waggons.

Locomotives were subject to a speed limit of 5 mph in towns and 10 mph in the country. They were banned from suspension bridges and required consent to use other bridges on which notices had been placed that the bridge was only for the ordinary traffic of the district.

The Locomotives Act 1865 (the "Red Flag Act") imposed on road locomotives a speed limit of 2 mph in towns and 4 mph in the country. ^[1] It increased the crew to three, of which one was to walk 60 yards ahead carrying a red flag. ^[2]

The Highways and Locomotives (Amendment) Act 1878 repealed the requirement for the man to carry a red flag, instead requiring him to walk at least twenty yards ahead to assist approaching horses and carriages. ^[3] It retained the speed limits of the 1865 Act.

The Locomotives on Highways Act 1896 defined a new class of light locomotives weighing less than 3 tons, to which the 1861, 1865 and 1878 Locomotive Acts did not apply. This removed from such vehicles the requirement for a crew of three with one man walking ahead, the speed limits and the bridge restrictions. It defined such vehicles as carriages and subject to the laws relating to them. It specified a speed limit of 14 mph with local authorities able to impose lower ones. This allowed the automotive industry in the United Kingdom to develop soon after the development of the first practical automobile (see History of the automobile).

The Locomotives Act 1898.

Background

The Highway Act 1835 and subsequent acts (Public Health Act 1875 (38 & 39 Vict. c. 55), Local Government Act 1888 and Local Government Act 1894) attempted to find satisfactory methods of maintaining roads since the UK turnpike trust system had failed following the UK railway boom.^{[ citation needed ]}

New steam powered road locomotives, some up to 9 feet (2.7 m) wide and weighing 14 tons, were alleged to damage the highway while they were being propelled at "high speeds" of up to 10 miles per hour (16 km/h). ^[4]

However, there is evidence that the steam carriages' brakes and their wide tyres caused less damage to the roads than horse-drawn carriages because of the absence of horses' hooves striking the road and wheels which did not lock and drag. ^[5] It has been claimed that the restrictions in the earlier act were advocated by those with interests in the UK railway industry and horse-drawn carriages. ^{[6] [ disputed – discuss ]}

In addition to any concerns about the state of the roads, by the 1860s, there was concern that the widespread use of traction engines, such as road locomotives and agricultural engines, would endanger the safety of the public. It was feared that engines and their trailers might cause fatal accidents, scare horses, block narrow lanes, and disturb the locals by operating at night. Although all of these fears were justified and were soon realized, there was a gradual acceptance of the machines as they became more common in commerce.^{[ citation needed ]}

Similar 'Red Flag' legislation was enacted in some states in the United States. ^[7]

The emerging UK automotive industry advocated very effectively for the 1896 Act during the preceding year. Coventry manufacturer Harry J. Lawson, who had purchased the British Daimler engine patents in 1895 and later was to form The Daimler Motor Company, was very influential. ^{[8] [ failed verification ]} Sir David Salomons, the founder of the Self-Propelled Traffic Association spent many hours advising Government officials as to what the law should be ^[9]

The Acts

Dormans engines ad referring to the Red Flag Act (1919)

Locomotive Act 1861

Locomotive Act 1861 [a]
Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title	An Act for regulating the use of locomotives on turnpike and other roads, and the tolls to be levied on such locomotives and on the waggons and carriages drawn or propelled by the same.
Citation	24 & 25 Vict. c. 70
Dates
Royal assent	1 August 1861
Status: Amended
Text of statute as originally enacted
Text of the Locomotive Act 1861 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.

An Act for regulating the use of locomotives on turnpike and other roads, and the tolls to be levied on such locomotives and on the waggons and carriages drawn or propelled by the same.

The Locomotives on Highways Act 1861 (24 & 25 Vict. c. 70) recognised that the use of "powered locomotives" on turnpikes and other roads would become commonplace, and that many existing laws (e.g. Turnpike, Highway acts) did not contain any provision for regulation or tolling of such vehicles. ^[10] The act contained sections on:

• Toll fees of locomotives and their wagons: to be tolled at every 2 tons of vehicle weight, and equal to the respective tolls charged for horse-drawn vehicles. Vehicles with non-cylindrical wheels were to be charged 50% more. (Section 1)
• Regulations on the minimum width of wheels of vehicles over 3 tons: and on maximum loads per wheel, and restrictions on vehicles thought to be damaging to roads. (Sections 3, 4, 5)
• Regulations, restrictions, and procedures for compensation to trustees on the passage of locomotives over bridges and other structures for any damage caused thereon. (Section 7)
• Requirement for the vehicle to consume its own smoke (Section 8)
• Requirement for a road locomotive to be manned by at least two persons, with additional persons in charge of trains of wagons, as well as requirements for the vehicle to carry functional lights during night-time. (Section 9)
• A speed limit of 10 mph on open roads, or 5 mph in inhabited areas. (Section 11)
• Requirement for the owners name, and the weight of the vehicle to be clearly displayed on the vehicle. (Section 12)

The act also set out the values of fines for breach of the regulations.

Locomotives Act 1865 (Red Flag Act)

Locomotives Act 1865 [11]
Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title	An Act for further regulating the use of Locomotives on Turnpike and other roads for Agricultural and other purposes.
Citation	28 & 29 Vict. c. 83
Dates
Royal assent	5 July 1865
Commencement	1 September 1865
Expired	1 September 1867
Other legislation
Repealed by	Road Traffic Act 1930
Status: Repealed
Text of statute as originally enacted

An Act for further regulating the use of Locomotives on Turnpike and other roads for Agricultural and other purposes.

The Locomotive Act 1865 (28 & 29 Vict. c. 83): ^[12]

• Stipulated that self-propelled vehicles should be accompanied by a crew of three; if the vehicle was attached to two or more vehicles an additional person was to accompany the vehicles; a man with a red flag was to walk at least 60 yd (55 m) ahead of each vehicle, who was also required to assist with the passage of horses and carriages. The vehicle was required to stop at the signal of the flagbearer. (Section 3)

  ... one of such Persons, while any Locomotive is in Motion, shall precede such Locomotive on Foot by not less than Sixty Yards, and shall carry a Red Flag constantly displayed, and shall warn the Riders and Drivers of Horses of the Approach of such Locomotives, and shall signal the Driver thereof when it shall be necessary to stop, and shall assist Horses, and Carriages drawn by Horses, passing the same.

• Additionally vehicles were required to have functional lights, and not sound whistles or blow off steam whilst on the road. (Section 3)

  ... the Whistle of such Locomotive shall not be sounded for any Purpose whatever; nor shall the Cylinder Taps be opened within Sight of any Person riding, driving, leading, or in charge of a Horse upon the Road ...

  ... any Person in charge of any such Locomotive shall provide Two efficient Lights to be affixed conspicuously, One at each Side on the Front of the same, between the Hours of One Hour after Sunset and One Hour before Sunrise.

• A speed limit of 4 mph (2 mph in towns) was imposed for road locomotives, with a fine of £10 for contravention. (Section 4)

  ... it shall not be lawful to drive any such Locomotive along any Turnpike Road or public Highway at a greater Speed than Four Miles an Hour, or through any City, Town, or Village at a greater Speed than Two Miles an Hour; and any Person acting contrary thereto shall for every such Offence, on summary Conviction thereof, forfeit any Sum not exceeding Ten Pounds.

• The restricted road locomotive vehicles to 14 tons, and 9 ft in width, as well as requiring the vehicle to have wheels meeting the requirements of the 1861 act. (Section 5)

Highways and Locomotives (Amendment) Act 1878

Highways and Locomotives (Amendment) Act 1878 [13]
Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title	An Act to amend the Law relating to Highways in England and the Acts relating to Locomotives on Roads; and for other purposes.
Citation	41 & 42 Vict. c. 77
Dates
Royal assent	16 August 1878
Repealed	5 November 1993
Other legislation
Amended by	Statute Law Revision Act 1883 Summary Jurisdiction Act 1884
Repealed by	Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1993
Status: Repealed
Text of statute as originally enacted

An Act to amend the Law relating to Highways in England and the Acts relating to Locomotives on Roads; and for other purposes.

The Highways and Locomotives (Amendment) Act 1878 (41 & 42 Vict. c. 77) contained sections on:

• Arrangements regarding the formation of 'highway districts'; stipulating that they should roughly correspond with rural sanitary districts, and allowing the sanitary authority to apply to manage the highway districts, taking over property, debts and liabilities relating to the highway. (Part I. 3–12)
• De-turnpiked roads to become 'main roads' and half their maintenance cost paid through county rates. (Part I. 13)
• Gave the highway authority powers to request that roads between towns, and roads to railway stations be classified as 'main roads' (Part I. 15)
• Allow the county authority to contribute to the maintenance of bridges (Part I. 21–22)
• Provisions to recover maintenance costs from road users operating heavy traffic and causing excess road wear. (Part I. 23)
• Set out procedures for the highway authority to discontinue any unneeded roads. (Part I. 24)
• Allowing the repeal and issue of bylaws relating to animal-drawn vehicles that might cause damage to the road; as well as regulations on gates and regulations on bicycles, and allowing the issue of fines relating to such byelaws. (Part I. 26)

The act also repealed and replaced with amendments part of the 1861 and 1865 Locomotive Acts; these included:

• Section 3 of the 1861 act and section 5 of the Locomotive Act 1865 – clauses relating to the weight, length, and width of tyre of road locomotives (Part II. 28)
• Section 8 of the 1861 act, requiring road locomotives to consume their own smoke was repealed and amended. (Part II. 30–31)

Locomotives on Highways Act 1896

Main article: Locomotives on Highways Act 1896

The Locomotives on Highways Act 1896 introduced a 12 mph speed limit (8 to 16 mph at the local authority's discretion). ^[14] Speed limits were later increased by the Motor Car Act 1903.

Locomotives Act 1898

Locomotives Act 1898
Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title	An Act to amend the Law with respect to the use of Locomotives on Highways, and with respect to extraordinary Traffic.
Citation	61 & 62 Vict. c. 29
Dates
Royal assent	2 August 1898
Repealed	5 November 1993
Other legislation
Repealed by	Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1993
Status: Repealed
Text of statute as originally enacted

An Act to amend the Law with respect to the use of Locomotives on Highways, and with respect to extraordinary Traffic.

The Locomotives Act 1898 (61 & 62 Vict. c. 29) required road users to affix signs displaying the weight of wagons; limited length of hauled road trains to three wagons without permission, and gave powers to road authorities to operate weighing machines for the weighing of road vehicles, as well as allowing fines for the contravention of the regulations, and allowed for compensation relating to delay caused by the weighing process. (Sections 2, 3 and 4 respectively)

The act also contained sections on:

• Regulations relating to number of persons in attendance to road locomotives, assistance to passing horses or carriages, and the requirement for and proper form of illuminating lights (Section 5)
• Allowing councils to restrict the passage on road locomotives and their wagons on crowded highways, and bridges (in case of damage), whilst allowing bridge restrictions to be lifted on the payment of costs relating to bridge strengthening (Section 6)
• Gave the right of appeal to road locomotives operators on restrictions under the act of the 1861 act. (Section 7)
• Restricted passing of locomotives on bridges (Section 8)
• Required road locomotives used for haulage (excluding agricultural machines, and steam rollers) to be licensed by the county council, and set out the requirement for display of a license plate (Sections 9, 10, 11)

See also

• Speed limit enforcement
• United Kingdom enterprise law

Notes

1. Section 14.

References

1. Locomotives Act 1865 (PDF). London. 1865. s.4.
2. Locomotives Act 1865 (PDF). London. 1865. s.3.
3. "Highways and Locomotives (Amendment) Act 1878". legislation.gov.uk. s.29. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
4. "Parliamentary Intelligence. House Of Commons". The Times. 27 April 1865.
5. Benson, Bruce L. "The Rise and Fall of Non-Government Roads in the United Kingdom". Street Smart: Competition, Entrepreneurship and the Future of Roads. pp. 263–264.
6. Smith, A.J. (1999). Privatized infrastructure: the role of government. Thomas Telford Publishing. p. 36. ISBN   9780727727121.
7. e.g. Ladd, Brian (2008). Autophobia. Love and Hate in the Automotive Age . University of Chicago Press. ISBN   9780226467412.
8. "The early years of the automobile in Britain". Dailmer. Retrieved 9 October 2010. Meanwhile British Motor Syndicate began a public relations campaign to lobby for the repeal of the "Highways and Locomotive Act", still the main obstacle to the introduction of the car in Britain... Furthermore, on November 2, 1895, the syndicate published the first issue of the magazine "The Autocar" – today the world's oldest car magazine ... The show was a great success and in political terms, too, things were now running according to plan. Even before the show opened the Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VII, expressed a desire to view and ride in an automobile. Simms and Ellis were happy to oblige with a ride in a belt-driven Daimler. Prince Edward returned from his test drive full of enthusiasm, and even though he expressed the view that as an animal lover he hoped the car would not render the horse completely redundant, he agreed to become patron of Britain's first motor show.
9. Chasseloup-Laubat, Marquis of (1903). Harmsworth, Alfred (ed.). Motors and Motor Driving. London: Longmans, Green and Co. p. 23.
10. Locomotives Act 1861, pre-amble
11. This short title was conferred on this Act by section 13 of this Act.
12. "The statutes of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland [1807-1868/69]". London, His Majesty's statute and law printers. 28 January 1807. p. 183 – via Internet Archive.
13. This short title was conferred on this Act by section 1 of this Act.
14. Baldwin, Peter; Baldwin, Robert, eds. (2004), The Motorway Achievement, vol. 1, Thomas Telford Publishing, p. 30, ISBN   9780727731968

Acts

• "Locomotive Act 1861", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, 1861 c. 70
• "Locomotives on Roads Bill". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) . House of Commons. 26 April 1865. col. 1060–1071.
  • "Abstracts of Important Public Acts - Locomotives on Roads Vic.28&29, cap.83, July 5, 1865", The British Almanac and Companion, The Society for the diffusion of useful knowledge, 1865
• "Locomotives Act 1865", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, 1865 c. 83
• "Highways and Locomotives (Amendment) Act 1878 (repealed 5.11.1993)", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, 1878 c. 77
• "Locomotives on Highways Act 1896", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, 1896 c. 36
• "Locomotives Act 1898 (repealed 5.11.1993)", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, 1898 c. 29