What is a nuisance vehicle?
Abandoned vehicles often get confused with nuisance
vehicles. An abandoned vehicle is always a nuisance, but a
nuisance vehicle is not always abandoned. A nuisance vehicle
could be any of the following:
- Poorly parked
- Causing an obstruction
- Involved in residential parking disputes
- Broken down
- Untaxed
What is an abandoned vehicle?
An abandoned vehicle is an unwanted vehicle that no-one is
willing to claim. Many of the vehicles that are reported do
not prove to be abandoned. However we will investigate every report
and deal with it as appropriate.
How do I identify an abandoned vehicle?
The following points should help you make a judgement:
- Is the vehicle displaying a valid tax disc?
- Are any of the tyres flat or have any of the wheels been
removed?
- Are any of the windows broken?
- Has the vehicle been vandalised or is it in an unroadworthy
condition?
- Has the vehicle been stationary a long period of
time?
How do I report an abandoned vehicle?
If you suspect that a vehicle has been abandoned please collect
the following information:
- Vehicle make / model / colour
- Registration number
- Location of vehicle
- Any additional helpful information
How are the vehicles investigated?
Every report that is received will be investigated, usually
within 24hrs. In the first instance this will be a check with the
DVLA to establish ownership and tax details. Depending on the
outcome the next stage will be for an officer to visit and
inspect the vehicle. Usually a notice will be applied to the
vehicle to warn of our intention to remove it within a specified
period of time. This can be 24 hours, two days or in a few
cases seven days depending on the condition, location and other
circumstances.
There is no legal requirement for a notice to be served, and a
vehicle will be removed immediately if we consider it be a danger
to the public. If the vehicle is not claimed it will be
impounded when the notice period expires. A fee will then be
required for the release of the vehicle.
What do we do with untaxed vehicles?
We have the power to remove untaxed vehicles and may request
your information from the DVLA. The definition of a public road
includes laybys, pavements, grassed areas and parking areas
(including those allocated for residents use only) maintained by
the council. The onus is on the keeper of any vehicle to ensure
that it is not placed on a public road, regardless of how short a
period, without a valid tax disc. Vehicles that are declared off
road must be kept on private land, a SORN (Statutory Off Road
Notice) is invalid if the vehicle is on public land.
Can I dispose of my unwanted vehicle?
Peterborough City Council offers a free collection service for
your unwanted vehicle, please call the abandoned vehicle office or
log on to the website for more information.
How do I report an abandoned vehicle?
To report a vehicle, or for any other information you can
contact our abandoned vehicle team