We will remove abandoned vehicles within an average of five days from receiving a report.
How to report an abandoned vehicle
To report an abandoned vehicle please tell the council
- where it is - please give as much detail as possible, for example the name of the street plus the nearest house number, business or lamp post number
- the make, model and colour of the car
- the registration number.
Click here to report an abandoned vehicle online.
What happens next?
On the day the abandoned vehicle is reported the council will contact the police to check the details. By the end of the next working day a council worker will have inspected the vehicle.
If the vehicle is on the highway or public land and appears to be unroadworthy, a warning notice will be fixed to it stating that if it is not claimed after 24 hours it will be removed.
If the vehicle appears roadworthy and is found to be abandoned it will be removed after seven days. If the vehicle is on private land the occupier of the land has 15 days to remove or claim the vehicle before the council can act.
Often vehicles are reported to the council but are not abandoned. For example, the vehicle may belong to someone in a neighbouring street who is still using it or has gone on holiday. If a vehicle is parked illegally or is not taxed this does not always mean it has been abandoned. If someone reports a vehicle that is not abandoned the council will explain why.
Claiming a car that has been removed
If anyone thinks that their car has been removed as an abandoned vehicle call 0344 980 3333.
If it is known that a notice was placed on a vehicle and that it was then removed as a result, then contact Norfolk County Council on 01603 228889 to claim the vehicle. Vehicles that are removed become the responsibility of the county council.
What to do if a car has reached the end of its life?
If a vehicle has reached the end of its life the relevant section of the vehicle registration document need to be completed and sent to the DVLA. Once this has been done take the car to a local scrap dealer, if possible. There will be a charge to have to it collected.
Remember that it is an offence to abandon a car. There could be a fine up to £2,500 and/or imprisonment for up to three months.
There is also the option of offering a £200 fixed penalty notice as an alternative to prosecution.
The cost of dealing with the vehicle can also be passed on.
Vehicle offences
Fixed penalty notices of £100 can also be issued if:
- a business leaves two or more vehicles parked within 500m of each other on a road where they are exposed or advertised for sale
- a business carries out repair, maintenance, servicing, improvement or dismantling works to a vehicle on a road.
Contact details
online: contact us form
t: 0344 980 3333
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