Impounding of goods vehicles found to be committing illegal cabotage in the United Kindgom

United Kingdom (November 20, 2015) The UK authorities (DVSA) intend to impound the vehicles of operators who continue to breach EC Regulations 1072/2009 and 106/1992. Should a vehicle be impounded, a notification will be sent to the operator and the registered owner of the goods vehicle concerned. The impounding will be publicised in the London Gazette, which is available online. From the receipt of the notification of impounding, the operator will have 21 days to appeal to the Traffic Commissioner for the area where the impounding took place. Should such a vehicle be being used on a finance agreement, with a lease agreement or on hire, i.e. it is not owned by the operator, then, the operating company will have no right of appeal against the impounding. The DVSA is usually unaware of the finance agreements, lease agreements or hire contracts in place when a vehicle is impounded. It is, therefore, imperative that the vehicle’s operator should notify the company that has a financial interest in the vehicle at the earliest opportunity. This will allow it to appeal to the Traffic Commissioner in a timely manner. The contact details of the Traffic Commissioner concerned are included in the impounding announcement in the London Gazette and in the correspondence sent to the vehicle operator following the impounding. Legal representation at the appeal hearing will be at the request of the company lodging the appeal.

Source: IRU