Press release 24: DVLA clamps down on overseas registered vehicles

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) announced today it is clamping down on foreign registered vehicles that flout the UK registration and licensing laws, with enforcement measures that include wheel clamping and impounding foreign registered vehicles that don’t comply with UK laws.

Leaflets and windscreen warning notices will be placed on offending vehicles and persistent offenders may find their vehicle wheel clamped and impounded and, if unclaimed, disposed of by crushing.

Vehicles that are properly registered and taxed in their home countries and brought into the UK temporarily are usually exempt from UK registration and licensing, and may be used in the UK for up to six months in any twelve month period.

After that they must be registered and licensed with DVLA. Keepers must register and license their vehicle immediately they become resident in this country.

DVLA has been working closely with relevant organisations to help explain the UK registration and licensing rules to ensure these drivers fully understand what is required.

Transport Minister, Stephen Ladyman said: "This is good news for all law-abiding motorists. Cracking down on foreign vehicles whose keepers fail to abide by UK registration and licensing laws will improve road safety and free up valuable police resources."

DVLA is taking the lead and the Republic of Ireland, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden have agreed to allow enforcement action to be taken in the UK on non-compliant vehicles registered in their countries. Information will be shared with the EU Commission and other member states and as a result the initiative may be extended to include vehicles from other countries."

Ends.

• For some time the problem of overseas registered vehicles in the UK not adhering to laws and regulations has been growing. DVLA is taking action in response to concerns from customers. The trial will help ensure that such vehicles are properly registered and licensed.

• Foreign registered vehicles that are temporarily brought into the United Kingdom by overseas residents are usually exempt from UK registration and licensing. The exemptions state that a vehicle, which is properly registered and taxed in its home country, may be used by the visitor for up to six months in twelve without being subject to domestic registration and licensing requirements. To qualify for the exemption, visitors must have their normal residence outside the hosting state.

• The keeper of any vehicle displaying foreign registration plates that is stopped by the police, is responsible for demonstrating that they are eligible to use the vehicle in the UK without registering and licensing it in this country.

• The trial is ongoing and will help form the policy on tackling vehicles that fail to comply with the overseas registered vehicle rules.

• Wheel clamping already forms part of DVLA’s Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) enforcement programme and will be used to target keepers of overseas vehicles that ignore leaflets and warning notices.

• Clamped and impounded vehicles will be released in the usual way. Motorists will need to produce evidence of licensing and registration in the UK. The option to make a surety payment will remain open where release of the vehicle is needed in order to comply, e.g. to have the vehicle inspected or MOT tested.

For press enquiries please contact DVLA press office on 01792 782318 or press.dvla@gtnet.gov.uk