Part 1: Regulatory scheme for automated vehicles Chapter 4: Powers to investigate premises used by regulated bodies Section 28: Warrants for entry, search and seizure
This section enables the Secretary of State to obtain a warrant to enter the premises of an authorised self-driving entity (ASDE) or licensed operator to obtain information that is considered necessary for the Secretary of State’s investigative functions and which has not been provided when requested by the Secretary of State, or there is reason to believe it will not be provided when requested.
	Subsection (1) of this section provides the power for a justice of the peace to grant a warrant to the Secretary of State authorising the exercise of entry, search and seizure powers. A warrant can only be granted for specific reasons and if certain conditions are met.
	The conditions are set out in subsection (2). They are that: the premises subject to the warrant are being used by the regulated body; it is appropriate to grant the warrant for investigative purposes; and is it necessary to grant it for reasons set out in subsection (3).
	The reasons to grant a warrant, as set out in subsection (3), are that an information or interview notice already issued has not been compiled with, or there is a reason to believe that if an information or interview notice were to be issued, it would not be complied with. A further reason is if an information or interview notice which requires individual attendance at interview has been issued, but does not obtain the information sought. The final reason is if the information need is too urgent to wait for an information or interview notice to be issued, for example in the event of a serious collision.
	Subsection (4) places a condition on the justice of the peace that they can only be satisfied that the conditions in subsection (2) have been met based on evidence given on oath by or on behalf of the Secretary of State. Subsection (5) states that a reference to a justice of the peace includes a sheriff in Scotland.
	Subsection (6) clarifies that any person who is no longer an ASDE or a licensed operator is still considered as one if the warrant relates to a time period when the person was a self-driving entity or a licensed operator.