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Vehicle Removal Policy

Last updated: 1 February 2021

Vehicle removal procedure

The procedure for dealing with vehicles found to be in breach of Buckinghamshire Council policy and the Traffic Management Act 2004 can be found below.

1) Vehicle is found to breach the law

A vehicle is found to be parked in breach of Buckinghamshire Council policy and the Traffic Management Act 2004.

2) Parking Charge Notice (PCN) is issued

A Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO) issues PCN, records evidence, and photographs all vehicle sides in relation to vehicle condition i.e. scratches, dents. They then pass the details to Parking Administration.

3) Removal decision made

Parking Administration refer information to Authorised Officers, for a decision on whether the vehicle is to be removed.

When a vehicle will not be removed

If the vehicle is found not to be breaching the policy or the owner removes the vehicle, Authorised Officers will decline the vehicles removal.

4) Vehicle removed

If the vehicle is parked in contravention with the policy, the Authorised Officer sanctions the removal. They then contact the vehicle removal contractor and arrange for the removal of the vehicle to storage facility.

The CEO remains on site and liaises with the Authorised Officer.

The vehicle is removed and transported to council storage at the contractor's premises.

If the driver returns whilst removal is taking place

If the driver returns whilst removal is taking place, the vehicle to be released unless:

  • the driver is a persistent evader
  • all wheels are on board the removal vehicle
  • 2 wheels are in rear drop cradle

However, the PCN will still stand.

5) Council inform relevant authorities of the removal

The officers then contact and inform the Police of the vehicle removal on the 101 number or by email, and inform Council Access.

6) Driver reclaims ownership of the vehicle

If the owner contacts the council about the vehicle, they will be provided with contact details for the vehicle removal contractor.

They will be advised that they will need to show evidence of vehicle ownership/proof of residency.

If the owner fails to make contact within 35 days

If the owner fails to make contact within 35 days, the vehicle is either scrapped or auctioned. This is in accordance with The Removal and Disposal of Vehicle Regulations 1986 as amended by The Removal & Disposal of Vehicles (Amendment) (England) Regulation 2007.

7) The owner covers the costs

Once they have claimed the vehicle, the owner then has to pay the contractor:

  • their PCN
  • removal costs
  • storage costs

They also need to show proof of address and residency.

8) The vehicle is released to the owner

Once all fees are paid, the vehicle will be released back to the owner.

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