Figures show that the HGV impounding scheme has been an
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effective deterrent to illegal operation. Since its implementation in 2002, the proportion of HGVs used on UK roads without an 0-licence has dropped from 1.7% (2001) to 0.6% (2006), (as measured by the VOSA roadside compliance survey), while the number of applications for 0-licences has increased.
The volume of vehicles impounded remains low (fewer than 250 a year) — but is on the increase with the introduction of fixed penalties, mainly because the number of roadside checks is increasing.
There is also a possibility that making it easier for operators to retrieve wrongly impounded vehicles will encourage VOSA inspectors to be more heavy handed at the roadside. "If the remedy for impounding a vehicle inappropriately becomes less convoluted, there is a chance that VOSA officials are more likely to apply the measure in the first place." cautions Mike Oliver.