How do I report a car that I suspect has been left untaxed on my street? All the information you need here

Untaxed or abandoned cars can take up valuable parking spaces, spoil neighbourhoods, and even pose safety risks to drivers and pedestrians. If you suspect a vehicle on your street has been left untaxed (without valid road tax), there are steps you can take to ensure it’s properly removed from the road.

There’s no need to suffer in silence while an untaxed car blights your local area. Thanks to new online tools from the authorities, UK residents can easily check a vehicle’s tax status and report an untaxed vehicle for enforcement action. These tools help target only genuine offenders by letting you confirm the car is truly untaxed before you make a report.

Need to report an untaxed vehicle? Here’s how to call the clampers: Image credit

How to Check if a Car is Untaxed

It’s important to verify the car’s status before reporting. Remember, it’s not illegal for someone to park their car on a public street (even outside your house) for an extended period if the vehicle is legal.

Check online: Use the UK government’s online vehicle tax checker (DVLA service on Gov.uk) to see if the car is taxed. You will need:

Vehicle registration number
Make, model, and colour

Enter these details to instantly check the tax status.

Click here to check if the car is taxed.

What to Do if the Vehicle is Untaxed or Declared SORN

If the online check shows the vehicle is untaxed, you can move on to reporting it.

If it’s listed as SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification), it must not be parked on a public road. A SORN vehicle found on the street can be reported just like an untaxed vehicle.

However, if it’s on a driveway or other private land, you cannot report it as untaxed. In that case, see the section on How to Report Other Abandoned Vehicles.

Information Needed to Report an Untaxed Vehicle

Have this information ready before reporting:

Vehicle registration number
Make, model, and colour
Street name, town, and postcode where the vehicle is parked
Usually times the vehicle is present (if it comes and goes)

Without these details, your report may not be processed.

How to Report an Untaxed Vehicle

Once confirmed as untaxed or illegally on the road under SORN, you can report it via the official DVLA online form.

Click here to report an untaxed vehicle .

You can report anonymously, and your submission will be passed to enforcement teams.

What Happens After Reporting

After you report the vehicle, enforcement officers may:

Clamp the car and attach a notice
Give the owner a set period to pay tax and fees
Remove and impound the car if no action is taken
Scrap or auction it if unclaimed

The process is progressive, so don’t expect immediate removal.

How to Report Other Abandoned Vehicles

If the vehicle appears truly abandoned (damaged, missing parts, unused for a long period), report it to your local council.

The council will investigate, and if confirmed abandoned, arrange removal — sometimes within 24 hours.

Find out how to report an abandoned vehicle here

FAQs – Reporting an Untaxed Vehicle

Can I report an untaxed vehicle anonymously?

Yes, you can report an untaxed vehicle without giving your details.

Will the vehicle be removed immediately after I report it?

No, enforcement follows a process: clamp, notice, waiting period, then removal if necessary.

What happens if the vehicle is taxed but looks abandoned?

You should report it to your local council as an abandoned vehicle, not as untaxed.

Can I report a vehicle parked on my private driveway?

If it’s on private land, you can’t report it for being untaxed. You may need to take civil action or contact the council if it’s abandoned.

Do I need to take photos of the untaxed vehicle?

It’s not required, but photographs can help enforcement teams verify your report more quickly.