Unattended vehicles

When a vehicle is left unattended or unregistered on any public road or other Council property, Rangers will wait for the observation period to lapse and then send a Notice of Intention to Impound to the last registered owner. The observation period is 28 days for registered vehicles, and 15 days for unregistered vehicles.

Once notified, the owner must move the vehicle to a new location or re-register it within a specific time period. The Notice of Intention to Impound will specify the time period and the penalties for non-compliance.

If the last registered owner fails to comply with the Notice, the vehicle will be considered unattended and will be impounded.

Report an unattended vehicle

Before reporting an unattended vehicle, please check the vehicle is on public land and is not already displaying a notice from Council. This may be on the driver’s side window of a car, or on the main body of a trailer. 

Provide exact details of the vehicle and how long it has been parked at the location.

Unattended motor vehicles and boat trailers, whether registered or unregistered, can be reported. However, it will help Council if you include in your report whether the reported vehicle's registration is valid or expired. You can check a vehicle registration online through Service NSW.

Council is not able to action all reports of unattended vehicles. For more information, please refer to the NSW Government's frequently asked questions about the Public Space (Unattended Property) Act 2021.

If your vehicle has been impounded

Impounded vehicles are taken to a holding yard where they accrue daily charges. For these vehicles to be released, the last registered owner must provide Council with certified proof of identity and certified proof of ownership, and pay a release fee as determined by Council. They will then be advised of the location of the holding yard and must pay the holding yard contractor for the accrued daily storage of the vehicle.

Report an unattended vehicle

Note the location, make, model and licence plate details. Contact Council via:

Telephone: 02 9936 8100

NSW Government rules for vehicles left in public