Vehicle Registration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2017

Tuesday, 7 November 2017

Ceisteanna (1293)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

1293. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the registered owner of a motor vehicle who has had a vehicle declared off the road can then have the car seized under section 41 of the Road Traffic Act; the person or body that would be liable for the storage fees in such an instance when a car is impounded while having been declared off the road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46393/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

The Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013 states that a vehicle, once declared off the road, must not be kept in a public place. A public place is defined in the legislation as follows:

‘public place’ means any street, road or other place to which the public have access with mechanically propelled vehicles as of right or by permission and whether subject to or free of charge;'

Therefore a vehicle that has been declared off the road must be kept off the road and not in a public place to avoid a liability for motor tax (and penalties for non-payment of motor tax and for making a false off-road declaration). 

The Road Traffic Acts fall within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.