DMBM655170 | Enforcement action: distraint: general considerations: checking the registered keeper/owner of a motor vehicle

From HM Revenue & Customs · Debt Management and Banking Manual

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Registered keeper

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) holds information about motor vehicles, registrations and licences. Under the provisions of TMA70/S18A the Department is entitled to obtain information from the DVLA, without payment, using form VQ4.

Information from the DVLA is subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 and availability to HMRC is made under the provisions of that Act for collection and assessing purposes only. All information requests are subject to an audit.

If you already know the vehicle details and wish to obtain advance information about the registered keeper in anticipation of levying distraint you should complete form VQ4.

When you complete Form VQ4

leave the `Enquirer's Code' box blank
enter the name of your office in the `Enquirer's Name' box
show your case reference in the `Enquirer's Reference' box
enter at `Date of Event' the date the vehicle first became known to you or the date of your enquiry
leave the Reason for enquiries `Other' box blank.

Owner

The keeper does not necessarily indicate the real owner. To confirm the owner, you need to see the insurance policy including the Certificate of Insurance.

(This content has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)