Report an abandoned vehicle
If a vehicle is on fire or being vandalised - Call 999 for fire brigade or police.
We have a legal duty to deal with motor vehicles which have been abandoned in Herefordshire.
View the council's responsibilities when dealing with abandoned vehicles
Before we do anything, we have to be satisfied that the vehicle is abandoned. We cannot act simply because someone claims it is.
Check if the vehicle is taxed
Abandoned vehicles are often confused with a nuisance and/or untaxed vehicle. If you suspect a vehicle has been abandoned on a public road, please find out first if the vehicle is taxed or not.
You can do this quickly and easily by entering the registration number on the DVLA website.
Check if the vehicle is taxed and has an MOT
Then see below for who to report it to.
Untaxed vehicles or vehicles with no MOT
- No tax, registered as off the road, or SORN? Report an untaxed vehicle to the DVLA
The DVLA is the only authority with the powers to remove untaxed vehicles from the highway - No MOT? Report a vehicle with no MOT on the public highway
Police will investigate and the driver may get a fine
Nuisance vehicles
- Vehicle blocking a public road or footpath - Call the police on 101
- Vehicle parked on double yellow lines or double-parked - Contact parking enforcement team, email: parking@herefordshire.gov.uk Call: 01432 260974
How we decide if a vehicle is abandoned
We must decide if a vehicle is abandoned. This is likely if at least one of the following applies:
- It has no keeper on DVLA's database and is untaxed
- It's stationary for a significant amount of time
- It's significantly damaged, run down or unroadworthy, for example has flat tyres, missing wheels or broken windows
- It's burned out
- A number plate is missing
We can legally enter land (at a reasonable time) to investigate and remove abandoned vehicles.
How to report a suspected abandoned vehicle
You can use our online form to report a suspected abandoned vehicle.
You will need to tell us:
- Your name and address
- Information about the vehicle - registration number, make, model, colour
- Vehicle's location
Report a suspected abandoned vehicle on a public highway
What happens after you report an abandoned vehicle to us
We will:
- Try to contact the owner
- Leave a notice on the vehicle for 7 days, warning that it will be removed if no one claims it
- After the above notice period has lapsed, we will send a referral to a removal company who will collect the vehicle on our behalf
- After collection the vehicle will be stored for a period of 21 days, after which time it will be destroyed.
Abandoned vehicle on private land
The land owner should:
- Try to find the owner through the DVLA Request information about a vehicle or its registered keeper from DVLA
- Call the police on 101 to see if they are interested in the vehicle, for example, if it has been stolen
We can only remove abandoned vehicles from private land with the land owner's consent.