Abandoned Vehicles
How to identify an abandoned vehicle
Before you report an abandoned vehicle please collect as much
information as possible.
In 2009 around 85% of abandoned vehicle reports that we received
were for vehicles that were not abandoned.
The following points should help you make a judgement:
- Is the vehicle untaxed i.e. no tax disc present at all or past
the expiry date?
- Are any of the tyres flat or have any of the wheels been
removed?
- Is there any evidence (litter or weeds/leaves under the
vehicle), indicating that it has not been moved for some
time?
- Is the windscreen or any of the windows broken?
- Is there any mould on either the inside or outside the
vehicle?
- Does the vehicle contain items of waste e.g. tyres, old
newspapers, general rubbish?
- Does the vehicle have number plates?
- Has the vehicle been vandalised? Exterior vandalism might
include dents in bodywork, bumpers spoilers being removed: interior
vandalism might include radio being stolen, seat covers being
slashed.
- Has a vehicle that you or your neighbours have never seen
before suddenly appeared in your road and no-one is claiming
ownership?
Do not enter abandoned vehicle. They are a
health and safety risk, can be classed as, or contain hazardous
waste and can often pose a fire risk. On some occasions, abandoned
vehicles have been used for crime related activities, in which case
the police may wish to seize the vehicle for investigation
purpose.
Untaxed vehicles
Please do not report a vehicle to us as abandoned just because
it is untaxed. You can and should report an untaxed vehicle online
on the
Direct.Gov website or to the DVLA,
telephone 0300 790 6802 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm or
e-mail: vehicles.dvla@gtnet.gov.uk.
Nuisance Vehicles
Vehicles obstructing the public highway or a hazard to road
users should be reported to the police either on the website
www.kent.police.uk or by
telephone on 01622 690 690.
How we deal with Abandoned Vehicles
When a vehicle has been reported as abandoned the Council
ensures that it is actually abandoned and arrangements to remove
and dispose of the vehicle cannot be made until this is clearly
established. To fulfil this requirement the Council carries out the
following steps and procedures:
- Checks are made through the DVLA, the vehicle is visited and
assessed using the criteria above.
- If the vehicle is possibly abandoned, depending on the location
and condition either a 24 hour, 7 day or 15 day notice will be
placed on the vehicle and a leter is sent to the keeper.
- After the notice period has expired, if the vehicle has not
been claimed or moved, the vehicle is removed and becomes the
jurisdiction of the Kent County Council who decide which further
action should be taken.
Report an Abandoned Vehicle
Further Information
Contact
Tel: 01304 872428
E-mail: customerservices@dover.gov.uk
