Northern Ireland to hike vehicle recovery, storage and disposal charges

Northern Ireland to hike vehicle recovery, storage and disposal charges

Naomi Long

Northern Ireland’s Department of Justice is consulting on fees for the recovery, storage and disposal of vehicles.

The eight-week consultation seeks views on a possible 28 per cent 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.

Justice minister Naomi 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.

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