Scottish Ministers have made the Motor Vehicles (Competitions and Trials) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 (SSI 2025/300), signed on 28 October 2025, laid before the Scottish Parliament on 30 October 2025, and due to commence on 9 December 2025. The instrument removes the 'specified events' category and standardises how motor vehicle competitions and trials on public roads are authorised, excluding trials of speed.
The Regulations are issued in consequence of a defect in SSI 2025/245 and will be provided free of charge to all known recipients of that earlier instrument. Fiona Hyslop, a member of the Scottish Government, signed the instrument at St Andrew's House on 28 October 2025.
Substantive changes are made to the Motor Vehicles (Competitions and Trials) (Scotland) Regulations 1976. The definition of 'specified event' in regulation 2(1) is omitted. The exception for specified events in regulation 6(2) is removed so all applications follow a single route. In regulation 7(3) the phrase 'or a specified event' is deleted and the word 'way' is replaced with 'highway' to align with the remainder of that provision. Regulation 8(2), which had set distinct conditions for specified events, is omitted. In schedule 2, the words 'except specified events' are removed so the standard conditions apply in all cases.
According to the Explanatory Note to SSI 2025/300, there are presently no events in Scotland suitable for authorisation under the 1976 Regulations that require special authorisation requirements. Removing the category therefore simplifies administration without altering the existing framework for non‑speed competitions on public roads.
Regulation 3 of SSI 2025/300 revokes regulation 2(2)(c) of the Motor Vehicles (Competitions and Trials) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 (SSI 2025/245). This consequential revocation addresses the drafting defect arising from retained references to 'specified events' in the earlier instrument.
For organisers and roads authorities, the practical outcome from 9 December 2025 is a single, uniform authorisation pathway under regulation 6 of the 1976 Regulations. Standard conditions in schedule 2 will apply across the board, and fee provisions in regulation 7(3) will operate without any separate 'specified event' track.
Until commencement, the regime as amended by SSI 2025/245 continues to apply. SSI 2025/300 does not set out transitional arrangements; organisers with events around the changeover date should confirm current requirements with the relevant roads authority and Police Scotland where applications are already underway.
The Regulations are made under sections 13(2) and 13A(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988. In line with section 195(2A) of that Act, Scottish Ministers consulted such representative organisations as they considered appropriate. Functions of the Secretary of State in this area were transferred to the Scottish Ministers by the Scotland Act 1998 Transfer of Functions Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/1750).
The 1976 Regulations (S.I. 1976/2019), previously amended by S.I. 1992/747, S.I. 1994/2653 and SSI 2025/245, will now operate without a specified‑events carve‑out. Compliance teams should update guidance, forms and web pages to remove references to specified events, ensure 'highway' is used consistently in fee materials, and reflect the single authorisation route for events taking place on or after 9 December 2025.