Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 Schedule 2A Paragraph 3

Removal and disposal of vehicles

Schedule 2A Paragraph 3 sets out the regulation-making powers that allow authorities to remove, take custody of, and dispose of vehicles suspected of being used or kept without a valid vehicle excise licence, and deals with the rights of owners to reclaim vehicles or receive compensation.

• Regulations may authorise the removal of a vehicle where an authorised person believes it is being used or kept without a valid vehicle excise licence, provided it is stationary in an applicable location or already has an immobilisation device fitted.
• A removed vehicle is delivered into the custody of a designated person under arrangements agreed with the Secretary of State, which may include payment for the custodian's services.
• The custodian may dispose of the vehicle after a prescribed period and in a prescribed manner, but the owner may reclaim it before disposal if they meet certain conditions, including proving ownership, paying prescribed charges, and either showing no licensing offence was committed or paying a prescribed sum.
• The Secretary of State or the custodian may recover prescribed charges from the vehicle's owner for the vehicle's release, removal, custody, and disposal, regardless of whether the owner makes a claim to recover the vehicle or its proceeds.