We can seize vehicles and their contents if we believe they have been or will be used to commit waste crime. This could include:
- Used to fly tip waste
- Used to carry waste by someone who is not a registered as a waste carrier
- Used to transfer waste to someone who is not registered as a waste carrier, breaking the duty of care rules.
When a vehicle is seized, the registered keeper and the Police will be notified and we will publish a Notice of Seizure on this website and in our Sevenoaks offices.
We can hold a seized vehicle for 15 working days while we carry out our investigations. If we begin a prosecution, the vehicle will be retained for the duration of the prosecution.
The Control of Waste Regulations 2015 set out the procedures we follow in details.
Claiming a seized vehicle
You must be the legal owner of the vehicle and your must provide all of the following documents:
- V5C Vehicle Registration Document in your name with the correct address
- A current certificate of motor insurance in your name with your address
- Current valid photo identification
- Proof of address (e.g. two utility bills in your name from the past three months)
- If you’re acting as a representative (e.g. using a power of attorney) you will need to provide written proof.
If we require further proof of legal ownership, we would notify you within one working day. You then have two working days to provide further proof of ownership. Our final decision on your vehicle claim will be sent to you within three working days.
Collecting a seized vehicle
You have 10 working days to collect a seized vehicle, unless it has been retained while we begin a prosecution.
If you have not collected your claimed vehicle within 10 working days it can be sold or destroyed.
If your vehicle is not claimed within 15 working days, it will be sold or destroyed and any proceeds will go against the seizure costs.