Haulage & Logistics Law
Transport & Regulatory Law Solicitors » Haulage & Logistics Industry » Vehicle Seizure and Cabotage for HGV Operators
Vehicle Seizure and Cabotage Issues for HGV Operators
HMRC, The UK Border Force, DVSA and the Police all have the authority to seize a vehicle. A vehicle seizure will at best be an inconvenience for some transport businesses, but sometimes it can cause huge financial problems, especially if the vehicle is not returned, and the reasons of the seizure then prompt further regulatory action.
Operators will be familiar with the circumstances in which vehicles can be seized, including when the vehicles have been involved in the commission of clandestine entrant offences and/or in the event of fines going unpaid. What operators may not be aware of is that vehicles are not always seized lawfully, and a seizure does not mean that you cannot get the vehicle back.
For international hauliers, there is the threat of seizure if the UK authorities consider that vehicles have been used in unlawful cabotage operations. At Pellys Transport & Regulatory Law we have experience of dealing with this type of issue, including successfully representation to secure the return of the seized vehicle.
If you have had one (or more) of your vehicles seized then Pellys Transport & Regulatory Law can advise on all aspects of the seizure including everything that you can do to get the vehicle back. Call us now on 01279 818280 to discuss how we can help.
Latest Haulage & Logistics News and Insight
Abnormal Loads – Calls for Changes to Law for Abnormal Loads Needing Police Escorts
Recently in the trade press there have been articles reporting calls from the UK’s Heavy Transport Association (HTA) for the law to be changed regarding police escorting of abnormal loads….
DVLA Confirms New Rules for Professional Drivers Living with Diabetes
From Friday 7th November 2025 the rules were changed to allow diabetic drivers of PSV’s and HGV’s to monitor their glucose levels using Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems….
Carrying Your Own: Horses to Widgets? Do you Need an O Licence?
The DVSA recently released a press release about the rules for transporting horses in horse boxes and trailers following an update on the guidance about using a tachograph in the vehicle being used to transport the animals…
The Senior Traffic Commissioner’s Statutory Guidance
The value of The Statutory Guidance Documents and the importance to operators, nominated transport managers and other professionals involved in the operation and driving of large commercial vehicles cannot be overstated…
Walkaround Checks – Where Road Safety Starts
Every day, often before the sun is above the horizon, hundreds of thousands of commercial vehicles are started up by their drivers and then they head out on to the UK’s road network to transport goods or passengers from one point to another, often with demanding time constraints thrown into the mix…
Traffic Commissioner’s Annual Report 2024/25: “Don’t Look Back in Anger”
Time has flown by and once again we find that the schools are back after the long summer break and the Office of the Traffic Commissioner has issued its annual report to the Secretary of State, providing a review of the year…
An Apple a Day to Keep the DVLA Away – A review of the DVLA’s Rules on Health Checks for Professional Drivers
There has been some discussion in the industry trade press recently that has highlighted proposed changes to how the disease of diabetes is monitored in professional drivers by the DVLA. One article in RouteOne Magazine stated that…
Light Goods – Heavyweight Industry: The DVSA’s New LGV Strategy
While relatively small in overall physical size light goods vehicles (LGVs) are now a large part of the UK road transport industry. There are currently estimated to be over 5.1 million light goods vehicles on UK roads today…
Revisiting the DVSA’s Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness
In April 2025 the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) issued the latest edition of its Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness.
The Wheels on the Bus go Round & Round….but how do they Stop?
At the tail end of 2024 a Public Inquiry was held in front of Traffic Commissioner Kevin Rooney where the subject of brake maintenance practices was called into question…
Maintenance Provision Rating Scheme for Commercial Vehicle Workshops is Launched
One of the key tenants of running a commercial vehicle operation, whether ‘HGV’ or ‘PSV’ is that the maintenance of the vehicles is paramount. For some operators this will mean having their own maintenance facilities and teams to look after their fleet of vehicles in house, but the majority of operators in the UK are reliant on 3rd Party maintenance providers…
Changes to Brake Safety Inspections for Commercial Vehicles – April 2025
In April 2025 the brake testing regime guidance will change. Roller Brake Tests, that have been mandatory for years, will be joined by an Electronic Break Performance Monitoring System or EBPMS…
Latest Haulage & Logistics News and Insight
Abnormal Loads – Calls for Changes to Law for Abnormal Loads Needing Police Escorts
Recently in the trade press there have been articles reporting calls from the UK’s Heavy Transport Association (HTA) for the law to be changed regarding police escorting of abnormal loads….
DVLA Confirms New Rules for Professional Drivers Living with Diabetes
From Friday 7th November 2025 the rules were changed to allow diabetic drivers of PSV’s and HGV’s to monitor their glucose levels using Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems….
Carrying Your Own: Horses to Widgets? Do you Need an O Licence?
The DVSA recently released a press release about the rules for transporting horses in horse boxes and trailers following an update on the guidance about using a tachograph in the vehicle being used to transport the animals…
The Senior Traffic Commissioner’s Statutory Guidance
The value of The Statutory Guidance Documents and the importance to operators, nominated transport managers and other professionals involved in the operation and driving of large commercial vehicles cannot be overstated…
Walkaround Checks – Where Road Safety Starts
Every day, often before the sun is above the horizon, hundreds of thousands of commercial vehicles are started up by their drivers and then they head out on to the UK’s road network to transport goods or passengers from one point to another, often with demanding time constraints thrown into the mix…
Traffic Commissioner’s Annual Report 2024/25: “Don’t Look Back in Anger”
Time has flown by and once again we find that the schools are back after the long summer break and the Office of the Traffic Commissioner has issued its annual report to the Secretary of State, providing a review of the year…
An Apple a Day to Keep the DVLA Away – A review of the DVLA’s Rules on Health Checks for Professional Drivers
There has been some discussion in the industry trade press recently that has highlighted proposed changes to how the disease of diabetes is monitored in professional drivers by the DVLA. One article in RouteOne Magazine stated that…
Light Goods – Heavyweight Industry: The DVSA’s New LGV Strategy
While relatively small in overall physical size light goods vehicles (LGVs) are now a large part of the UK road transport industry. There are currently estimated to be over 5.1 million light goods vehicles on UK roads today…
Revisiting the DVSA’s Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness
In April 2025 the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) issued the latest edition of its Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness.
The Wheels on the Bus go Round & Round….but how do they Stop?
At the tail end of 2024 a Public Inquiry was held in front of Traffic Commissioner Kevin Rooney where the subject of brake maintenance practices was called into question…
Maintenance Provision Rating Scheme for Commercial Vehicle Workshops is Launched
One of the key tenants of running a commercial vehicle operation, whether ‘HGV’ or ‘PSV’ is that the maintenance of the vehicles is paramount. For some operators this will mean having their own maintenance facilities and teams to look after their fleet of vehicles in house, but the majority of operators in the UK are reliant on 3rd Party maintenance providers…
Changes to Brake Safety Inspections for Commercial Vehicles – April 2025
In April 2025 the brake testing regime guidance will change. Roller Brake Tests, that have been mandatory for years, will be joined by an Electronic Break Performance Monitoring System or EBPMS…
"A brilliant, hard-working team who go over and above for the client. They are rightly recognised to be one of the best transport practices in the country. They are an exceptional specialist firm who punch way over their weight. They have an excellent reputation."
"An established practice with recognised strength in representing haulier and passenger clients on an array of regulatory proceedings. An impressive practice advising goods and passenger vehicle operators on the full range of road regulatory matters."
"They know the field backwards and would be perfectly capable of running a transport business."
"The firm has an incredible knowledge of transport and associated regulations. They are extremely knowledgeable."
"They have very good client-care skills. They really go the extra mile for the client and leave no stone unturned and they always deliver well and on time. My overall impression of the Pellys team is one of thoroughness in everything they do."
"They react very quickly, we are always kept up to speed on what is going on and they are very responsive. If I need something at short notice and ring out of hours I get a very quick response. They’re extremely easy to get hold of and professional."
