Abandoned and Unlicensed Vehicles
Abandoned Vehicles
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Sheffield City Council follow strict guidelines and procedures laid down by the Government when removing abandoned vehicles. These were amended in April 2006.
‘We should not have to tolerate the anti-social behaviour that leads to abandoned, burnt out cars. A high quality environment not only reduces the fear of crime it contributes to our sense of well being’
Margaret Beckett, former Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Under new legislation we are no longer required to fix a 24 hour notice to a vehicle that we consider to be abandoned. All vehicles can now be removed to a compound.
If the vehicle carries a GB number plate we will send a written notice to the owner (having found the details from the DVLA database) declaring that their vehicle has been removed and is being held in our custody. If they wish to reclaim it they should do so within 7 days of the date on the notice. Otherwise the vehicle will be disposed of.
On satisfying Sheffield City Council of ownership, the owner of a vehicle can remove the vehicle from custody after paying sums relating to removal and storage owed to the Council.
Under the legislation, abandoning a vehicle is a criminal offence, carrying a maximum fine of £2,500 or 3 months’ imprisonment or both.
To report an abandoned vehicle phone the Street Force Call Centre on (0114) 273 4567. You will be asked to provide your name, address and phone number. You will also be asked for details of where the vehicle is, its colour, registration number, make, condition and how long it has been there. Alternatively you can e-mail: streetforce@sheffield.gov.uk with these details.
We can not consider a vehicle abandoned solely on the grounds that it is not displaying a valid tax disc. The DVLA deal with untaxed vehicles .
Unlicensed Vehicles
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It is an offence to use or keep an unlicensed vehicle on a public road. The maximum fine is £1,000 or 5 times the annual rate of duty for the vehicle, whichever is the greater.
Reporting Unlicensed Vehicles
You can report a vehicle that doesn't appear abandoned BUT appears to be unlicensed in one of the following ways.
Please Note: This may be done anonymously.
- In writing to the nearest DVLA Local Office.The address for the DVLA in Sheffield is: DVLA Local Office, Cedar House, Hallamshire Court, 63 Napier Street, Sheffield, S11 8HA.
- Telephone: 08000 325 202
- Online on the DVLA Website - see the Reporting of Unlicensed Vehicles section.
The details must include:
- the registration mark
- location of the vehicle
- the make/model and colour
wherever possible, please provide:
- the time it can be seen on the public road
- name and address of the owner
The information provided can then be used for further investigations by an Inquiry Officer who will make a formal sighting of the vehicle and complete a witness statement.
Unlicensed vehicles are removed by NCP Services (the DVLA's national removal contractor) to a secure compound in Sheffield.
Taxing Your Vehicle
There is also information on this DVLA website covering information on how to:
- relicense your car
- provide a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) declaration
See the Frequently Asked Questions - Taxing Your Car section for more information.
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