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Abandoned Vehicles
An abandoned vehicle is a vehicle on any land forming part of the highway, which is:
- untaxed and has no current registered keeper
- has been stationary for a significant amount of time
- is significantly damaged, run down, unroadworthy or burned out
- lacking one or more of its number plates or
- contains waste.
Under the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978, it is an offence to abandon a motor vehicle or anything that has formed part of a motor vehicle or abandon anything else on the highway. Under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, the Local Authority may now issue Fixed Penalty Notices.
A person found guilty of such an offence may be punished on summary conviction to a fine of not exceeding £2,500 or up to three months imprisonment or both.
If you wish to report an abandoned vehicle, please contact the Enforcement Team or use our online form
 | Report an Abandoned Vehicle Form |
If the vehicle is on private land, please contact the landowner directly.
Untaxed Vehicles
It is an offence under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 to have a vehicle on the road without tax or to have a vehicle on the road which has a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN). A SORN means that, by law, the DVLA must be informed when a registered keeper does not re-license a vehicle because it is not being used or kept on a public road.
A SORN declaration is valid for twelve months unless you re-license, sell, permanently export or scrap the vehicle before the twelve months has expired.
If you wish to report an untaxed vehicle on the highway, please contact the DVLA and complete their online form, or telephone them on 0800 0325202.
If you suspect the vehicle to have been stolen, please contact your local Police station.
Contact Details
The Enforcement team can be contacted via the Customer Service Centre on 01462 474000 or at service@north-herts.gov.uk.
Licensing and Enforcement Team
North Hertfordshire District Council
Council Offices
Gernon Road
Letchworth Garden City
Hertfordshire
SG6 3JF
