Car towed improperly?
Discussion
My Fiat Tempra has just been towed away, from a safe space, adjacent roadside.
Bought 10 days ago after many years off road, I mot’d and timmediately taxed it ( in cash) at the Post Office a week ago. It is fully insured.
This morning it broke down, (feels like spark - as it died without warning) . I pushed it off road ( actually walked it, using the starter) so that it was off the road, off the adjacent slipway, onto the grass twixt the cycle way & slipway. A broken down note was left in the screen. Family collected me, I completed the journey in another vehicle and returned home 90 mins later to collect a towing car & driver.
As I was packing roes etc, a PC turned up - & immediately read me my rights, loudly, outdoors in front of several gawping kids off the school bus.
He told me the car had been towed as it was showing SORN,
I showed him the week old cash receipt from the Post Office & the online facility showing both taxed & mot’d. I then offered my mot certificate, my insurance certificate & went online again to demonstrate it was on ‘ Ask Mid’.
He reluctantly agreed the car was legal - not blocking any traffic ( pedestrian, cyclist or motor) & was not a nuisance, or blockage & was easily visible. It’s a sunny day, it was about to be collected, several hours before dusk.
He was clearly nonplussed.
I then asked how he had found me, as presumably I wasn’t yet showing as the current keeper? He told me he had broken in ( to a locked car) & found spare plates for another vehicle - properly registered to me. His careful reply leads me to believe damage may have occurred in the ‘ breaking’.
So, my car is at a local towing yard - yet I have no access. Do I have to pay towing in this circumstance, and should I demand it’s returned to me, at no cost? What are my options?
If damage occurred- in gaining access, do I have redress?.
Frankly, pretty narked. DVLA’s system clearly shows it’s legal - why therefore should an obsolete police system cost me time/ effort/ money/ damage?
Welcome your views please, as to how I.takethisforward.?
Bought 10 days ago after many years off road, I mot’d and timmediately taxed it ( in cash) at the Post Office a week ago. It is fully insured.
This morning it broke down, (feels like spark - as it died without warning) . I pushed it off road ( actually walked it, using the starter) so that it was off the road, off the adjacent slipway, onto the grass twixt the cycle way & slipway. A broken down note was left in the screen. Family collected me, I completed the journey in another vehicle and returned home 90 mins later to collect a towing car & driver.
As I was packing roes etc, a PC turned up - & immediately read me my rights, loudly, outdoors in front of several gawping kids off the school bus.
He told me the car had been towed as it was showing SORN,
I showed him the week old cash receipt from the Post Office & the online facility showing both taxed & mot’d. I then offered my mot certificate, my insurance certificate & went online again to demonstrate it was on ‘ Ask Mid’.
He reluctantly agreed the car was legal - not blocking any traffic ( pedestrian, cyclist or motor) & was not a nuisance, or blockage & was easily visible. It’s a sunny day, it was about to be collected, several hours before dusk.
He was clearly nonplussed.
I then asked how he had found me, as presumably I wasn’t yet showing as the current keeper? He told me he had broken in ( to a locked car) & found spare plates for another vehicle - properly registered to me. His careful reply leads me to believe damage may have occurred in the ‘ breaking’.
So, my car is at a local towing yard - yet I have no access. Do I have to pay towing in this circumstance, and should I demand it’s returned to me, at no cost? What are my options?
If damage occurred- in gaining access, do I have redress?.
Frankly, pretty narked. DVLA’s system clearly shows it’s legal - why therefore should an obsolete police system cost me time/ effort/ money/ damage?
Welcome your views please, as to how I.takethisforward.?
Even with a SORN, it was actually off-road, so not a criminal offence. As a parish council, we sought advice from our local bobby about cars dropping kids off and parking fully on the grass. He advised it was not a police matter, but trespass, and as such he could not do anything about it.
Pica-Pica said:
Even with a SORN, it was actually off-road, so not a criminal offence. As a parish council, we sought advice from our local bobby about cars dropping kids off and parking fully on the grass. He advised it was not a police matter, but trespass, and as such he could not do anything about it.
Grass, as in the verge at the side of the road? It all counts as part of the highway.Pica-Pica said:
Even with a SORN, it was actually off-road, so not a criminal offence. As a parish council, we sought advice from our local bobby about cars dropping kids off and parking fully on the grass. He advised it was not a police matter, but trespass, and as such he could not do anything about it.
Or he didn't want to get tied up dealing with parking matters, esp those involving stroppy parents dropping their little darlings at school and thinking they can park where they like ...Edited by paintman on Thursday 21st October 18:57
Sheepshanks said:
Pica-Pica said:
Even with a SORN, it was actually off-road, so not a criminal offence. As a parish council, we sought advice from our local bobby about cars dropping kids off and parking fully on the grass. He advised it was not a police matter, but trespass, and as such he could not do anything about it.
Grass, as in the verge at the side of the road? It all counts as part of the highway.Sheepshanks said:
Pica-Pica said:
Even with a SORN, it was actually off-road, so not a criminal offence. As a parish council, we sought advice from our local bobby about cars dropping kids off and parking fully on the grass. He advised it was not a police matter, but trespass, and as such he could not do anything about it.
Grass, as in the verge at the side of the road? It all counts as part of the highway.Yes, though DYLs or zigzags extend to the pavement and verge too. (Though obviously not private land!)
However a "no stopping" sign covers the road only, not the verge. (Not sure about pavements...)
Considering how slow they are at dealing with clearly abandoned vehicles this is all very weird.
However a "no stopping" sign covers the road only, not the verge. (Not sure about pavements...)
Considering how slow they are at dealing with clearly abandoned vehicles this is all very weird.
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