07-06-05 VOSA Impound 500th Vehicle
Whilst on patrol with Devon & Cornwall police, VOSA’s 500th vehicle was impounded.
Two vehicle examiners were patrolling the area of Camborne when they impounded the two axle rigid, seven and a half tonne Iveco goods vehicle. This is the 500th impounding VOSA have carried out under the Goods Vehicles (Enforcement Powers) Regulations 2001.
The vehicle attracted an immediate Prohibition Notice for having an insecure battery, and no valid test certificate.
The vehicle has now been taken to a secure compound where it will remain for 21 days. The operator may appeal against wrongful impounding and any appeal must be made within 21 days of the impounding. If an appeal is successful then the vehicle will be returned to the operator, otherwise it will be sold or disposed of.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
An application for the return of an impounded vehicle can be made to the local Traffic Commissioner and then to a Transport Tribunal. An impounded vehicle will be returned if the owner can show that it was not being operated illegally or that the owner did not know that the vehicle was being operated illegally. If the appeal does not succeed VOSA will then dispose of the vehicle.
The Transport Act 200 gave the government stronger powers to deal with illegally operated vehicles. The Goods Vehicle (Enforcement Powers) Regulations 2001 came into force on 4 January.
VOSA is responsible for:
- Processing applications for licences to operate lorries and buses and registering bus services.
- Operating and administering testing schemes for all vehicles, including the supervision of the MOT testing scheme.
- Enforcing the law on vehicles to ensure that they comply with legal standards and regulations.
- Enforcing drivers' hours and licensing requirements.
- Supporting Traffic Commissioners to help them make informed decisions on operator licensing, vocational drivers and bus registration requirements.
- Providing training and advice for commercial operators.
- Investigating vehicle accident, defects and recalls.
Page last updated: 25/09/2006