In this section
- Reasons for seizing or recovering vehicles
- Retrieving your vehicle
- Fees
- Disputing the seizure or recovery of your vehicle
- Make a complaint
Reasons for seizing or recovering vehicles
There are several reasons why your vehicles may be seized or recovered by us:
- if your vehicle was seized due to no valid certificate of insurance in place and/or no valid Driving Licence (Section 165A & B, Road Traffic Act 1988)
- if your vehicle has been recovered because it was involved in a road traffic collision (RTC), causing an obstruction, a danger or distraction to other road users or members of the public or reported stolen (Section 99, Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984)
- if your vehicle was seized for anti-social driving (Section 59, Police Reform Act 2002)
- if your vehicle has been seized for not having valid road tax (DVLA Devolved Powers)
- if your vehicle has been seized as evidence for any reason (Police & Criminal Evidence Act, 1984)
Section 165A & B, Road Traffic Act 1988
Why has the vehicle been recovered?
No valid certificate of insurance and/or no valid driving licence.
When can you get the vehicle back?
Once you have complied with the requirements of the issued ticket, see below.
How to get your vehicle back
You MUST obtain insurance for the vehicle that has a cover clause to allow the vehicle to be removed from a police compound. It is suggested you discuss this with any insurer prior to attending the police station.
Attend the Police Station nominated by the officer when you were issued with the ticket to produce a valid Driving Licence, Certificate of Insurance and proof of ownership.
The Town Enquiry Officer will check with the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB) that the insurance is valid for the vehicle and driver and if correct will complete a release form.
The release form will be sent to the Vehicle Recovery Department and the appropriate Recovery Agent.
You can then attend the Recovery Agent to collect your vehicle on payment of the charges due.
How long do you have to collect the vehicle after it has been released?
14 days. If the vehicle hasn’t been collected within this time, it will be disposed of or sold
Who is responsible for the payment of the statutory recovery and storage fees?
The owner/person collecting the vehicle must settle all charges with the Recovery Agent at time of or prior to collection.
Section 99 Road Traffic Act 1988
Why has the vehicle been recovered?
- Road Traffic Collision
- Obstruction
- Danger
- Distraction
- Stolen
This also prevents further loss/damage if left in situ.
When can you get the vehicle back?
Once a vehicle has been recovered, if the vehicle does not need to be retained, a letter will be sent to the registered keeper. If the vehicle needs to be retained due to examinations being required then a letter will be sent once the investigative procedures are complete and the vehicle has been released.
How to get your vehicle back
You can arrange to collect the vehicle personally, or contact your insurance company who, if you have the appropriate cover, will arrange collection on your behalf. If your vehicle had been stolen we recommend getting your vehicle safety checked at a Recovery Agent.
How long do you have to collect the vehicle after it has been released?
7 days. If the vehicle hasn’t been collected within this time, it will be disposed of or sold
Who is responsible for the payment of the statutory recovery and storage fees?
The owner or Insurance Company
Section 59 - Police Reform Act 2002
Why has the vehicle been seized?
The vehicle has been used in a manner which causes alarm, distress or annoyance or other anti-social use.
When can you get the vehicle back?
Unless you have been instructed by the seizing officer, the vehicle can be collected immediately following payment of all fees due.
How to get your vehicle back
Attend the Recovery Agent, with photo identification and proof of ownership, pay the statutory recovery and any storage fees due and you can drive the vehicle away
How long do you have to collect the vehicle after it has been released?
14 days. If the vehicle hasn’t been collected within this time, it will be disposed of or sold
Who is responsible for payments to the Recovery Agent for statutory recovery and storage fees?
Owner or person collecting.
DVLA Devolved Powers
Why has the vehicle been seized?
Failure to pay Vehicle Excise Duty
When can you get the vehicle back?
Once the vehicle has arrived back at the Recovery Agent’s premises.
How to get your vehicle back
You should have been given an INF32 information leaflet which outlines how to get your vehicle back but the following applies:
You will need to tax your vehicle prior to attendance at the Recovery Agent and show proof, in the form of either a Post Office receipt or a transaction reference number if taxed on line. At the Recovery Agent pay all statutory recovery and storage fees due. The vehicle will then be released.
If you have not taxed the vehicle prior to attendance at the Recovery Agent you will be required to pay a surety fee of a minimum of £160 in addition to the recovery and any storage fees. This surety will be refunded on proof of the excise duty being paid within 15 days of the vehicles release to the payee only.
If you are the owner/keeper of a foreign registered Vehicle (FRV) you should have been given an INF32 (FRV) leaflet which outlines how to get your vehicle back but the following applies:
You must pay the statutory recovery fee and any storage fees plus the surety fee and provide the following before the vehicle will be released:
- Proof of Photo ID – Either a Driving Licence, Passport/National ID Card or Photo ID Card
- Proof of Address – Either a Medical Card, Bank Statement or Utility Bill
- A document linking you to the vehicle - Either a non UK Vehicle Registration Document or Insurance Certificate.
Once released you must register the vehicle in the UK and pay the relevant excise duty. The vehicle can then be collected on proof of UK registration and payment of the excise duty. You will have 56 days to do this following the release of the vehicle and then the surety fee will be refunded to the payee only
How long do you have to collect the vehicle after it has been released?
If the Value of the vehicle is:
- Under £500 – 7 days
- Over £500 – 14 days
If the vehicle hasn’t been collected within the relevant time frame the DVLA will authorise Lincolnshire Police to dispose of the vehicle.
Who is responsible for payments to the Recovery Agent for the statutory recovery and storage fees?
Owner or person collecting.
Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
Why has the vehicle been seized?
It is required as evidence in a Police enquiry.
When can you get the vehicle back?
When the vehicle is no longer required for police enquiries and released by the Officer In Charge (OIC), a letter will be sent to the registered keeper/owner by the Recovery Agent advising the vehicle can be collected.
Vehicles recovered under this legislation may be retained for several weeks/months depending on the nature of the enquiry
How to get your vehicle back
Attend the Recovery Agent premises and pay any statutory storage fees due.
How long do you have to collect the vehicle after it has been released?
56 days. If the vehicle hasn’t been collected within this time, it will be disposed of or sold.
Who is responsible for payments to the Recovery Agent for storage and the recovery?
- Statutory Recovery Fees – Police
- Statutory Storage Fees (once released) – Owner
Retrieving your vehicle
How you get you vehicle back and where from depends on the reason your vehicle was seized.
Not all vehicles are recovered with keys and therefore when arranging collection please ensure that keys are available and also that your vehicle is roadworthy if being driven away, including having the correct number plates attached.
Fees
DVLA release fees
|
Release fee |
Surety fee |
|
|
Within 24 hours of offence |
£100 |
£160 for motorcycles, light passenger and light goods vehicles £330 for buses, recovery haulage and goods vehicles £700 for exceptional loads and heavy goods vehicles such as a large lorry or bus |
|
Release from pound 24 hours or more after offence |
£200 |
|
|
Storage |
£21 per complete day at the pound (for an instant life, the first 24hrs is not chargeable) |
|
Full fees must be paid before a vehicle is released.
Statutory removal fees
|
1 Vehicle not exceeding 3.5 tonnes Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) |
2 Vehicle exceeding 3.5 tonnes MAM, but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes MAM |
3 Vehicle exceeding 7.5 tonnes MAM, but not exceeding 18 tonnes MAM |
4 Vehicle exceeding 18 tonnes MAM |
|
|
A – Vehicle on road: upright and not substantially damaged; all motorcycles, regardless of position, condition and circumstance |
£150 |
£200 |
£350 |
£350 |
|
B – Vehicle on road: not upright, and / or substantially damaged |
£250 |
£650 |
i. Unladen £2000 ii. Laden £3000 |
i. Unladen £3000 ii. Laden £4500 |
|
C – Vehicle off road: upright and not substantially damaged |
£200 |
£400 |
i. Unladen £1000 ii. Laden £1500 |
i. Unladen £1500 ii. Laden £2000 |
|
D – Vehicle off road: not upright, and / or substantially damaged |
£300 |
£850 |
i. Unladen £3000 ii. Laden £4500 |
i. Unladen £4500 ii. Laden £6000 |
Storage (Charged daily)
|
Two wheeled vehicles |
Vehicle not exceeding 3.5 tonnes MAM |
Vehicle exceeding 3.5 tonnes MAM, but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes MAM |
Vehicle exceeding 7.5 tonnes MAM, but not exceeding 18 tonnes MAM |
Vehicle exceeding 18 tonnes MAM |
|
£10 |
£20 |
£25 |
£30 |
£35 |
Disposal
|
Two wheeled vehicles |
Vehicle not exceeding 3.5 tonnes MAM |
Vehicle exceeding 3.5 tonnes MAM, but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes MAM |
Vehicle exceeding 7.5 tonnes MAM, but not exceeding 18 tonnes MAM |
Vehicle exceeding 18 tonnes MAM |
|
£50 |
£75 |
£100 |
£125 |
£150 |
Disputing the seizure or recovery of your vehicle
If you would like to dispute the seizure or recovery of your vehicle, please contact us:
Phone Vehicle Recovery – 01522 558125
Email – VRS@lincs.pnn.police.uk
Make a complaint
Write to:
Vehicle Recovery Scheme Officer
Police HQ
PO BOX 999
Lincoln
LN5 7PH
If you dispute the charges or wish to make a claim, you will still need to pay to get your vehicle back as your vehicle maybe disposed of before your dispute/claim can be resolved.
More help and support
Phone Vehicle Recovery – 01522 558125
Email – VRS@lincs.pnn.police.uk
12 Feb 21 9:11 AM
