08 February 2012The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) are responsible for investigating complaints regarding smoky vehicles. Unfortunately the District Council is unable to investigate or take enforcement action against the owner of a smoky vehicle.
Vehicles that continually emit excessive smoke may be reported to the VOSA ‘Smoky Vehicle Hotline’ on telephone number 08706 060 440 or using the VOSA 'Smoky Vehicle Reporting Form'.
Please note that many diesel engines emit a small amount of smoke when started from cold and under heavy acceleration this is normal and should not be reported.
When calling the ‘Smoky Vehicle Hotline’ you will need to provide the following:
You will also be asked to give your own name and address, which will be kept confidential, although this is not compulsory.
Once a smoky vehicle has been reported to VOSA they will then investigate the complaint and may require that the vehicle is checked and any fault or maintenance problem rectified.
When you contact VOSA, you will not normally be informed of any action taken. Should you continue to see excessive smoke from the same vehicle you may make a second report to VOSA although where no action has been taken then it may simply be that the operator or smoke emissions do not actually break the rules.
For more information, please contact the Environmental Protection Team at air.quality.consultations@sevenoaks.gov.uk or telephone 01732 227275.
