20 November 2008The Council has powers to deal with abandoned vehicles on the public highway or on its own land. We can also assist landowners, such as Housing Associations in getting vehicles removed from their land, including parking areas.
If you report a vehicle as abandoned, we will carry out checks with the DVLA (to see if it's taxed or declared SORN) and Police(to see if it's been reported stolen or involved in any criminal activity). Once these checks have been completed, and our inspector considers it to be abandoned, he will fix a notice to the vehicle informing the owner that it may be removed and possibly destroyed. If it's in a dangerous condition or position, it can be moved 24 hours after the notice has been fixed. Under normal circumstances it usually takes 7 days but sometimes it can be up to 15 days. It should be noted that any vehicle parked off road with a current Statutory Off Road Notice (SORN) will not be removed by the Council even at the landowners request.
Abandoned vehicles on the Highway should be reported to the Council on 01732 227000.
Vehicles on private land, including National Trust, Woodland Trust, Moat or West Kent Housing Association parking areas, should in the first instance be reported to them.
Abandoned vehicles left in a hazardous location or that appear abandoned but are taxed should in the first instance be reported to the police.
The Council runs a Voluntary Vehicle Surrender Scheme, where we will remove your car for a subsidised fee of £14. Contact us for more information on 01732 227000 or by email to direct.services@sevenoaks.gov.uk.
