The police, the local council or the DVLA can clamp and tow away cars or other vehicles parked illegally on roads or public land. The DVLA can act when it has the lawful authority to do so if a car is untaxed - unless it's on your own property.
The Act makes it an offence to clamp or tow away a vehicle parked on private land, without lawful authority. Parking charges and fines can still be issued on private land.
The law states that a registered vehicle being kept or used on public roads must be both taxed and insured. You don't need to tax your car if you're not driving or parking it on a public highway. If it's kept off road in a garage, on a drive or on private land, it must be declared SORN.
Bailiffs can only clamp your vehicle if they find it parked at your home, business or in a public place like a road or car park. To stop them clamping your vehicle you can: park it in a locked garage. move it to a friend or family member's driveway - make sure you have their permission.
The DVLA have the authority to clamp your car for several reasons, including not having valid insurance or car tax – or being used on the roads without a valid MOT certificate.
DVLA launch campaign to clamp down on untaxed vehicles
Can an untaxed car be clamped on private property?
The police, the local council or the DVLA can clamp and tow away cars or other vehicles parked illegally on roads or public land. The DVLA can act when it has the lawful authority to do so if a car is untaxed - unless it's on your own property.
If your car has been clamped by the DVLA for unpaid tax, you'll have to tax the vehicle before paying a £100 release fee. If you choose not to tax the vehicle you will have to pay a £160 surety fee on top of the £100 release fee.
It's also not advisable to take matters into your own hands and physically do anything to remove the vehicle. Even though it is an offence to park on your property without permission, if you do anything to the offending vehicle it could constitute a criminal offence – especially if the car is damaged in the process.
If it is currently clamped, it will be impounded to a vehicle pound any time after 24 hours. If the vehicle is currently impounded and not claimed, it could be disposed (dismantled, auctioned or scrapped).
They could use bills or credit card receipts, for example an order form with their name on it. If bailiffs try to take someone else's vehicle, ask the vehicle's owner to contact the DVLA to show that they're the registered owner.
You must keep a SORN car on land that is privately owned. This could be a garage, driveway or even a garden. Garages and lockups are normally preferred since this keeps the car protected from the effects of the elements and theft. You can't keep it on public land like the road outside your house.
You must also have insurance if you leave it parked on the street, on your driveway or in your garage. The police can check on the spot if your vehicle is insured using the Motor Insurance Database. If it isn't they can seize it immediately, even if you then arrange insurance at the roadside.
Police have advised in the past “Don't damage or clamp the vehicle or have it removed by a third party for destruction or storage without first seeking legal advice. “. The only legal way to resolve this issue would be to obtain an eviction notice from the courts however this might cost you a hefty amount of money.
Key Takeaways. It is legal to park on a dropped kerb in front of your own driveway as long as it does not block the entrance. Parking on a pavement is illegal in most parts of the UK, including London, but it is possible to park on the opposite side of a pavement as long as you do not break any parking rules.
When DVLA clamps an untaxed vehicle the motorist is charged a £100 release fee. If they cannot show the vehicle has been taxed when it's released, the motorist will have to pay a surety fee of £160. This is refunded if the motorist can show the vehicle has been taxed within 15 days.
The car owner must pay the release fee within 24 hours to avoid vehicle confiscation. The DVLA car check for tax evaders is done through its own VED database. The DVLA patrolling vehicles also have the tech feature that can detect a vehicle's number plate and fetch a record of its tax.
If we seize a vehicle which has been driven whilst untaxed, we will take it to a police pound. To reclaim your vehicle you must go to the pound with the following: the V5C Registration Document for the vehicle. evidence that you have re-taxed the vehicle – Post Office receipt or DVLA website receipt.
Is it illegal to block a driveway without a dropped kerb?
It is illegal to drive over a pavement without a dropped kerb. Only the council can build dropped kerbs. We build them at the request of residents or businesses, if certain criteria are met. Vehicles must not park in a way that blocks the flat section of a dropped kerb: see Dropped Kerb Enforcement.
What can I do if someone keeps blocking my driveway?
If the vehicle is blocking access to your driveway you should first make enquiries with the neighbours to see if they know who the car belongs to, so they can move it. If your local council hasn't taken on CPE, you will need to contact your local police force.
There is no time limit on how long a car can park on the road as long as they are taxed, insured and not breaching any parking regulations. There is however one exception. If the vehicle is thought to have been abandoned, it can be reported to the police who will potentially remove it.
The short answer is, you can't. Unless you're driving to a pre-booked MOT test, you're not allowed to drive without road tax. If you're caught driving without tax at any other time, you could face serious fines or penalties.
Can I cut off the wheel clamp? No you cannot. Under Section 68.1 of Schedule 12 (TCEA 2007) it is a serious offence to remove a wheel clamp or to obstruct the bailiff from clamping or removing the vehicle.
What happens when you report an untaxed vehicle to DVLA?
What will happen to the vehicle? Don't expect it to be instantly scooped up and taken away, in many cases the vehicle will be clamped and a notice attached to it. If nothing happens after a set period of time, it's likely the vehicle will be removed and possibly scrapped. What about other abandoned vehicles?
