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Vehicles used for fly tipping

Vehicle seizure

Dover District Council has powers to seize a vehicle, trailer or mobile plant and their contents if it is believed that it is being, has been or will be used to commit a waste crime such as fly tipping.  Vehicles and their contents can be seized under the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 or the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

A vehicle can be seized in the following circumstances:

  • if it is used in fly tipping
  • if it is driven by somebody who is not registered as a waste carrier
  • if it is used to transfer waste to somebody who is not registered as a waste carrier

When a vehicle is seized, the council will put details of it on a public notice in our main office within 1 day of seizing the vehicle.  We will also put details on our website.

The police and registered keeper will also be notified in writing that the vehicle has been seized.

What happens when a vehicle has been seized?

A seized vehicle can be held for up to 15 working days whilst a waste crime is being investigated and we have the right to sell or destroy it after this time has passed if the vehicle is not legally claimed. If we take the case to court, the vehicle will be held for the duration of the prosecution.

Claiming a seized vehicle

To claim a seized vehicle you must be the legal owner of the vehicle and be able to provide the following documents to prove this:

  • the V5C vehicle registration document in your name with your correct address
  • a current certificate of motor insurance in your name with your correct address

If we require further proof of ownership we’ll notify you within one working day . We must then receive any further required proof of ownership from you within two working days .  Our final decision on your vehicle claim will be sent to you within three working days .

Collecting a seized vehicle

If you’ve claimed a vehicle you’ll have 10 working days to collect it, unless we need to keep it for further investigation or are in the process of prosecuting. If you haven’t collected your claimed vehicle within 10 working days it can be sold or destroyed.  If a vehicle is not claimed within 15 working days, it will be sold or destroyed.