The Removal and Disposal of Vehicles (Traffic Officers) (England) Regulations 2008

Steps to be taken to find the owners of certain vehicles

14.—(1) For the purpose of section 101(3)(c), the steps to be taken by the Secretary of State to find a person appearing to be the owner of a vehicle shall be the steps set out in paragraphs (2) to (6) that are applicable to the vehicle.

(2) Where the vehicle carries a GB registration mark the Secretary of State shall endeavour to ascertain from the records maintained by him, in connection with any functions exercisable by him by virtue of the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994, the name and address of the person by whom the vehicle is kept and used.

(3) Where the vehicle carries a GB registration mark but the Secretary of State is unable to ascertain the name and address of the person by whom the vehicle is kept and used, he shall give to—

(a) the chief officer of the police force in whose area the vehicle appeared to have been abandoned, the specified information and a description of the place of abandonment; and

(b) HPI Ltd, the specified information,

and shall ask whether they can make enquiries to find the owner of the vehicle.

(4) Where the vehicle carries a mark indicating registration in Northern Ireland, the Secretary of State shall give to—

(a) the chief officer of the police force in whose area the vehicle appeared to have been abandoned, the specified information and a description of the place of abandonment;

(b) the Secretary of State for Transport (unless he is also the Secretary of State for Transport), the specified information and a description of the place of abandonment; and

(c) HPI Ltd, the specified information,

and shall ask whether they can make enquiries to find the owner of the vehicle.

(5) Where the vehicle carries a mark indicating registration outside the United Kingdom, the Secretary of State shall give the specified information and a description of the place of abandonment to—

(a) the chief officer of the police force in whose area the vehicle appeared to have been abandoned; and

(b) the Secretary of State for Transport (unless he is also the Secretary of State for Transport),

and shall ask whether they can make enquiries to find the owner of the vehicle.

(6) Where the vehicle does not carry a GB registration mark or any other registration mark, the Secretary of State shall give the specified information and a description of the place of abandonment to the chief officer of the police force in whose area the vehicle appeared to have been abandoned and ask whether that officer has any information as to the owner’s identity.