• Report an abandoned vehicle in Waveney online

Abandoned vehicles can devalue an area, promoting blight and deterioration. They create fire and health & safety hazards and generally constitute a nuisance and obstruction to other road users.   


How do I know that a vehicle is abandoned?

The following criteria will help decide if a vehicle may be abandoned:

• The age and value of the vehicle
• The location of the vehicle in relation to the owners address
• The completeness of the vehicle
• Rusty brake discs indicating that vehicle has not been moved for some time
• Flat tyres
• Litter, weeds etc under the vehicle indicating that it has not been moved
• Absence of number plates
• Broken windscreen or window glass
• Presence of mould on either the inside or outside of the vehicle
• No valid tax disc

Are all untaxed vehicles abandoned?

No, most untaxed vehicles are in regular use, and cannot be considered abandoned.
It is illegal to keep a vehicle with no current vehicle excise duty on the road. If you want to report a vehicle that has no excise duty displayed and is on the highway please inform the DVLA on 0800 032 5202 or e-mail: vehicles.dvla@gtnet.gov.uk .


How do I report an abandoned vehicle?

You can report an abandoned vehicle online , through our Customer Services team on 01502 523041 or report it in person at any of the council's offices .


What happens after the vehicle is reported?

A Council Enforcement Officer will inspect the vehicle usually within 24 hours of receiving the report to decide whether the vehicle is actually abandoned. If in the opinion of the Enforcement Officer the vehicle is abandoned then the course of action that will be taken by the Council is dependent on the condition and location of the vehicle:

• Vehicles that have been designated as "abandoned and only fit for destruction"
  
  These vehicles will be taken straight to an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF). The decision on whether a vehicle is only fit for destruction or not will be based on the age, condition and market value of the vehicle, and whether or not the vehicle has a registered keeper. The ATF will treat the vehicle as an end of life vehicle and produce a Certificate of Destruction (CoD). The ATF will keep one copy of the CoD and the Council will hold the other copy.
   
• Vehicles that have been designated as "abandoned and not only fit for destruction"
  
  These vehicles will be stored for 7 days at a secure storage facility whilst reasonable efforts are made to trace the registered keeper or owner of the vehicle. If the vehicle is not claimed after 7 days the vehicle will be taken to an ATF for its disposal or disposed of as the Council sees fit. Once an owner has come forward and proved that they are the owner or keeper of the vehicle they will have a further 7 days to collect their vehicle at an additional cost of the prescribed daily storage fee.
  
• Vehicles abandoned on privately owned land
  
  Are subject to a notice period. A 15-Day Notice to Remove Vehicle will be served on the landowner or occupier. The Vehicle will remain in situ for 15 days unless the landowner/ land occupier gives the Council their permission to remove the vehicle. If the landowner or occupier objects to the removal of the vehicle then the Council can no longer treat the vehicle as an abandoned vehicle.
  Once this permission from the landowner/ occupier to remove the vehicle has been received the 15-Day Notice automatically lapses. The vehicle can then be removed from the privately owned land immediately. The Council’s aim will be to remove the vehicle within 24 hours from this point in time (excluding weekends and bank holidays) to an ATF or a storage facility for 7 days depending on its condition."

What happens if it is decided that the vehicle is abandoned?

Any vehicle that is clearly abandoned becomes the responsibility of Waveney District Council. The law governing the removal of vehicles is contained in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 and the Removal and Disposal of Vehicle Regulations 1986.


Is abandoning a vehicle a criminal offence?

Yes, under section 2(1) of the 1978 Act. The maximum penalty for abandoning a vehicle is a fine of £2,500 or 3 months' imprisonment or both.

Who is responsible for the vehicle and costs involved?

There is no charge for the person reporting a vehicle but the council will always try to trace the last known owner to recover costs.

The last registered owner is responsible for the disposal of a vehicle if it is inspected and deemed abandoned. We will pursue them via the DVLA for reimbursement of costs. If they tell us that the vehicle was sold, they must provide details of the new owner. Failure to do so will render the last registered owner responsible. You must by law inform the DVLA of any change of ownership or disposal of the vehicle and ensure you keep all documentation.

The Council will take action to recover the statutory charges for its removal, storage and disposal from the person responsible for abandoning a vehicle The Council will reclaim:

• £105 in respect of the removal of the vehicle
• £12 (per 24 hours or part thereof) in respect of any period during which the vehicle is in the custody of the local authority; and £50 for the disposal of this vehicle

There is also a fixed penalty of up to £200 than can be levied on the responsible person.

Contact us
Email: operations@waveney.gov.uk  
Telephone: 01502 523041
In person: At any of Waveney District Council's offices


Consultation
If you have any ideas or suggestions as to how we can improve our services or the information we have provided, then we would be pleased to hear from you.


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