Vehicle Recovery, Storage & Disposal Charges consultation

Justice Minister Naomi Long has announced a public consultation to review fees for the recovery, storage and disposal of vehicles.

The eight-week consultation seeks views on a possible 28% uplift on the level of fees where a vehicle is removed due to being driven uninsured; being driven without due care and attention or illegally off-road and in a manner causing alarm, distress or annoyance; or where a vehicle seizure order is made following non-payment of a financial penalty.

Minister Long said: “Following increases taken forward in Scotland in 2019 and in England and Wales early in 2023, it is now appropriate to review these fees to ensure that they are fair to both those carrying out removal, storage and disposal work and those whose vehicles are removed. We look forward to hearing your views.”

There have been no increases in these fees in Northern Ireland since 2008. Equivalent fees have increased in Scotland, England and Wales taking account of inflation and  operational changes in the vehicle recovery industry.

The fees are used to pay independent recovery operators who carry out this work on behalf of the PSNI or the Department.

The consultation ends on 13 June 2024 and more information can be found on the DoJ website Vehicle recovery storage and disposal statutory charges review | Department of Justice (justice-ni.gov.uk)

Notes to editors: 

1.Information on the current fees is set out in:

The Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (Retention and Disposal of Seized Motor Vehicles) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (legislation.gov.uk);

The Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (Retention and Disposal of Seized Motor Vehicles) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (legislation.gov.uk); and

The Enforcement of Fines and Other Penalties Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2018 (legislation.gov.uk)

2.Media enquiries should be directed to Department of Justice press office via email at press.office@justice-ni.gov.uk.

3.The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

4. Follow @Justice_NI on Twitter/X at https://twitter.com/Justice_NI

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