Foreign-registered vehicles being used illegally on Britain’s roads are now being seized by some police forces that have DVLA’s devolved powers.

By law DVLA can give police the authority, under devolved powers, to remove untaxed vehicles.

This was as a result of growing concerns on the number of foreign registered vehicles staying longer than the six month period allowed for temporary visitors to the UK.

DVLA’s Vehicle Policy Team established a working group in spring 2013 with representatives from the Department for Transport, Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), Motor Insurance Bureau and UK Border Force. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) joined the group in 2014.

A pilot exercise with four police forces started in April 2014.

Intelligence from the DVLA and police sightings of foreign registered vehicles on the road resulted in 123 foreign registered vehicles being seized and impounded over six weeks.

A proof of concept trial started on 3 November 2014 to build on the success of existing compliance and enforcement processes.

Data provided by HMRC to police forces using ANPR helps the police identify and stop vehicles overstaying the six month exemption period.

Any vehicle overstaying the period is impounded. The keeper can retrieve their vehicle by paying the release fee and surety payment (around £260) but cannot use the vehicle on the road until it is correctly registered and licensed in the UK. The only exemption is if the vehicle is being driven to a pre booked MoT appointment or any other testing appointment.

The keeper has 56 days to reclaim the surety payment once the vehicle is licensed. DVLA will also issue the vehicle keeper an out of court settlement. The amount will be £30 plus 1.5 times the outstanding vehicle tax rate for the time the vehicle has overstayed. Failure to pay could result in the keeper being prosecuted.

Highlights of the crack down

  • over 1100 vehicles have been seized since DVLA changed its enforcement process
  • over 2500 offence reports have been sent to DVLA by the police
  • over 1300 out of court settlement letters have been issued to foreign vehicle keepers who have not complied
  • DVLA has successfully prosecuted 120 offenders