TRAFFIC REGULATIONS 1999 - REG 65 Removal of abandoned vehicles
TRAFFIC REGULATIONS 1999 - REG 65
Removal of abandoned vehicles(1) An officer of a competent authority may move, or cause to be moved, an abandoned vehicle.
(2) For the purposes of subregulation (1), if the driver or owner of an abandoned vehicle:
(a) does not comply with a request of the officer to move the vehicle; or
(b) cannot be found after reasonable enquiry of persons in the vicinity of the vehicle,
the officer may enter the vehicle for the purpose of moving it or causing it to be moved.
(3) An officer who enters an abandoned vehicle under subregulation (3) is not liable for any damage caused by when entering or moving the vehicle.
(4) If a vehicle is moved under subregulation (1), the officer who moved the vehicle or caused it to be moved must, within 7 days after it is moved, serve or cause to be served a notice on the owner:
(a) personally; or
(b) by post to the owner's postal address, place of residence or place of business.
(5) The notice is to state:
(a) that the vehicle has been moved and the address to which it has been moved;
(b) that the vehicle is to be collected within 14 days of the owner receiving the notice;
(c) the charges, if any, to be paid before the owner can take possession of the vehicle; and
(d) that, if the owner fails to collect the vehicle, the vehicle will be sold and the costs of removing, storing and selling it will be deducted from the proceeds of the sale.
(6) If the owner of a vehicle cannot be ascertained or found for the purposes of serving a notice under subregulation (5), the competent authority must cause notice of the removal of the vehicle or trailer to be published:
(a) in an advertisement appearing for 2 successive weeks in a newspaper circulating in the Territory; or
(b) in any other manner that the competent authority determines appropriate,
having regard to the likely or presumed whereabouts of the owner.