Q439: Someone has parked their car outside my house and I can't park my car there, what shall I do?

You can report unlicensed vehicles online through the DVLA website, see website in related information.

You can also contact your local police (via 101) although the procedure will vary from force to force. In some areas you will have to contact the local authority direct as they have a responsibility to remove such vehicles. In other force areas you need to contact the local police force first who in turn will contact the local authority. Your local police station will be able to advise you.

In all cases you will need the make and model of the car, the registration number and the location.

You should first make enquiries with your neighbours, in order to ascertain any information regarding the owner of the vehicle.

If this proves unsuccessful and you believe the vehicle is abandoned, you can report the vehicle to your local council via the link below:

GOV.UK - report an abandoned vehicle

If you witness this happening, call your local police force on 999 with as much as information as possible.

If it has happened over a period of time, then contact your local police (via their 101 non-emergency number) with details of the vehicle and when it first appeared.

If you have any information regarding what has been taken from the car, this should also be passed on to the police.

In the first instance you should make enquiries with your neighbours to locate the owner of the car, which may lead to the car being moved.

However, if the car is fully taxed, insured, isn't causing an obstruction and is not in breach of any parking restrictions, the police cannot take any action. A car can park on any road (restrictions permitting) for any length of time. However, if the car hasn't moved and has been there for a number of weeks, then it may have been abandoned - you can report abandoned vehicles via the link below:

Report an abandoned vehicle