Derby City Council investigates many complaints relating to abandoned vehicles every year. The Council will arrange for vehicles to be removed if we are satisfied that they are genuinely abandoned. We will investigate complaints about vehicles on the highway or any other land in the open air.
Contact information
Office Address:
Abandoned Vehicle Section,
Environmental Health and Trading Standards Division,
Celtic House,
Heritage Gate,
Friary Street,
Derby,
DE1 1QX
Telephone: 01332 255260
Fax: 01332 716264
Email: Environmental.services@derby.gov.uk
What is an Abandoned Vehicle?
A vehicle is classed as abandoned if the Council is satisfied that it has been left and the person in charge of the vehicle has no intention of removing it. In some cases, for example where the vehicle is untaxed, has no registered keeper or has suffered fire damage or vandalism this is fairly easy to establish. However in some cases investigations may need to be carried out before further action can be taken.
We will deal with motor vehicles and trailers, including caravans.
How do I report an Abandoned Vehicle?
You can report a vehicle at Environmental Health and Trading Standards Reception on the 1st Floor, Celtic House, Friary Street or by telephone, fax, e-mail. You can also complete our online abandoned vehicle reporting form. If you have another type of enquiry complete the form at the foot of the page.
The following information would be help us in investigating your complaint:
- Name and address of the person making the report
- Make, model, registration number and colour of the vehicle.
- The exact location of the vehicle and how long it’s been there.
- Is there a known owner?
- Is it displaying a current tax disc?
- How long the vehicle has been at the location.
If a vehicle is on land owned by Derby Homes and it is not vandalised or damaged, you should initially report the vehicle to your local Derby Homes Housing Office, who will investigate the vehicle before reporting it to the Abandoned Vehicle Section.
Vehicles on Private Land
If you are the owner of land on which a vehicle appears to have been abandoned the Council will still be able to deal with the problem. In order to speed up the recovery process we will require written authorisation from you to enter the land in question, together with contact details for the person responsible for the land. The quickest way of doing this is by Fax to the number given above.
What happens next?
The Abandoned Vehicle Officer will visit the vehicle and make an assessment on its condition and whether it is abandoned. In most cases where it is apparent that the vehicle has been abandoned arrangements will be made to remove the vehicle immediately, or a 24 hour notice will be put on the vehicle. If the vehicle is still in the same location after this notice expires it will be removed and scrapped. If the vehicle has suffered fire damage or is causing a community safety problem it may be removed immediately subject to assessment.
If the vehicle is untaxed but it does not appear to have been abandoned the City Council may serve a vehicle tax notice and forward this to the DVLA, but will not take any further action.
On occasion, where the vehicle is taxed or has a registered keeper in the area further investigations will need to be carried out before any further action is taken. If a taxed vehicle is removed it will be stored for the duration of the tax period. If the owner comes forward to claim the car during this period they will need to prove ownership and will be liable for any removal and storage costs.
All vehicles recovered by the City Council will be scrapped. The Council does not offer any recovered abandoned vehicles for sale.
Vehicle Recovery - Removal of Unwanted Vehicles
Do you live in Derby and have a vehicle that you no longer want? Derby City Council can arrange free removal and destruction of any unwanted vehicles from members of the public. Our contractors will collect the vehicle from you for safe disposal. You will be asked to sign a simple consent form and surrender the vehicle log book which will be sent to the DVLA to inform them that the vehicle has been properly disposed of. If you have lost the logbook for the vehicle we can supply you with a renewal application form.
Additional information
Derby Police can deal with vehicles on the highway that are causing an obstruction or danger to other road users. You can contact the Police on 01332 290100.
When we receive a report about an abandoned vehicle we will check with the Police to see if it has been stolen or if the Police have any interest in the vehicle before taking further action.