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A taxing problem
We regularly receive phone calls at Havant Borough Council about
abandoned, untaxed and possibly uninsured cars that are parked in
the road or on grass verges.
However, most of the cars reported to us as being ‘abandoned’
are ‘claimed’ by their owners and whether they are taxed or not,
they can no longer be considered to be abandoned and the council
has no powers to remove them.
If a vehicle is not taxed and is kept off the road then it must
be registered with the
DVLA
with a SORN
(Statutory Off Road Notification). Once a vehicle is registered
with this notification then it must be exactly that - off the
road.
“’Off the road’ means just that,” says Team Leader Gary Morton.
“Just because the vehicle is not being driven around does not mean
it is ‘off the road’.
Gary added, “While we understand that residents need to store
cars off the road at times, we always suggest that before applying
for a
SORN
it
is worth checking the status of where you intended to park the car:
whether it is still public highway or whether you need a landlord’s
permission.”
In almost all cases the public highway extends from front garden
fence to front garden fence on opposite sides of the road and
includes grass verges, footpaths and some larger grassed areas
close to the road.
As a guide, highway status can be checked in person at the Civic
Offices, Havant. Hampshire County Council can also provide copies
of the highway register by post or in person; however there is a
charge for this service.
Although the council does not enforce vehicle excise licence
issues we do act as a reporting authority for the
DVLA
. If you wish to
report an untaxed vehicle this can be done online
at the DVLA website (external)>> or by telephone on
08000 325 202.