Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to prevent garages from parking vehicles on streets that do not a display registration plate or a visible vehicle identification numbers; and if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the powers available to the (a) DVLA, (b) the Metropolitan police and (c) local authorities in tackling that problem.

Legislation relating to the display of registration numbers and number plates already exists and enforcement is an operational matter for the police. Successful prosecution depends on the police sighting the vehicle on the public highway and establishing that an offence has been committed. Number plate offences are also included in the Home Office’s fixed penalty system. This provides the police with a practical and effective means of enforcement. The police can also remove any vehicle that is causing an obstruction, is likely to cause danger or is broken down or abandoned without lawful authority.

Local authorities have legislative powers to fine garages for leaving two or more vehicles advertised for sale on the road.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is responsible for enforcement against unlicensed vehicles and has legislative powers to clamp or remove such vehicles from public roads.