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Abandoned Vehicles

abandoned carThe Council has a statutory duty to remove abandoned vehicles. However, legally the car can only be removed once the Council has made adequate provision to ensure that it is in fact abandoned and has no registered owner. Therefore, once a car is reported as abandoned, the following process begins:


  • A check is made with the DVLA for details of the last registered owner.
  • A Contract Monitoring Officer will check the details and location and leave a notice on the vehicle.
  • A check is made with the Police to see if the vehicle has been reported as stolen.
  • If the owner does not contact the Council within a reasonable time a Contract Monitoring Officer checks whether the car is still there.  If it is instructions are given for the vehicle to be towed away and destroyed.
  • The vehicle will be stored for seven days (unless it is burnt out).  If the owner then contacts us they may recover their vehicle but will be charged for towing and storage costs.

The process is different if a car is deemed by either the Police or a Contract Monitoring Officer to be dangerous. In this case, the car is towed away immediately but will be stored for a period of seven days. If the owner then contacts us they will be charged for the towing and storage costs.

To report an abandoned vehicle, please contact the Customer Services Centre on 01923 776611 (mincom 01923 727303), e-mail enquiries@threerivers.gov.uk or use the Contact Form.

The Council offer a removal scheme for residents who wish to dispose of a vehicle. The current fee is £40 reduced to £15 for Three Rivers District Council Residents claiming benefits. Cheques to be payable to Three Rivers District Council.

We require a letter of authorisation from the owner to remove the vehicle, to include the location and contact details. Once the contractor has collected the vehicle we will notify the DVLA of disposal of the vehicle using form V28 .

The letter should be sent to:

Environmental Protection
Three Rivers District Council
Three Rivers House
Northway
Rickmansworth
Herts WD3 1RL

If you have any queries regarding this scheme, please contact Vic Kemp on 01923 727025.