Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Ten untaxed vehicles have been removed from Wiltshire’s streets since the council adopted DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) delegated enforcement powers in September 2014.

The vehicles were removed from Melksham, Chippenham, Burbage and Cricklade after it was identified the tax had expired. The owners had either failed to tax them or had declared them off road by making a statutory off road notification (SORN), but still parked them on the highway.

Eight of the vehicles were scrapped, while two were reclaimed after the payment of fees and storage costs to the council.

Wiltshire Council deals with untaxed vehicles under devolved powers from the DVLA to use the Vehicle Excise Duty (Immobilisation, Removal and Disposal of Vehicles) Regulations 1997. Under these powers the council can take enforcement action against any untaxed vehicle at the time it is inspected. If the council clamps or removes a vehicle, it can be reclaimed by the owner on payment of a statutory fee and evidence that the vehicle has valid tax. Any unclaimed vehicles are scrapped.

Anyone can check the tax status of a vehicle on the DVLA website, http://www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax, which now assists residents as tax discs are no longer issued and do not need to be displayed. The council can conduct live checks with the DVLA to establish if any vehicle is taxed. Untaxed vehicles can be reported to the council on the ‘My Wiltshire’ app or on the council’s web site www.wiltshire.gov.uk/abandonedvehicles

Philip Whitehead, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Untaxed or abandoned vehicles may be uninsured, can cause obstructions and be targets for vandalism and arson. Swift removal of untaxed vehicles by the council can directly reduce the problems and anti-social behaviour they can cause"