The effect of section 47 of, and Schedule 3 to, the Local Transport Act 2008 is to empower the Secretary of State to make regulations establishing a new regime for the impounding of certain public service vehicles operated without a valid operator's licence. These provisions were included in response to a recommendation of the House of Commons Transport Committee in its pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Bill.

The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) is today publishing a consultation which sets out the Government's detailed proposals for this new regime, including draft regulations. The proposals build on the existing goods vehicle impounding regime, which has helped to deter illegal operation in that sector. They should support the Government's road safety objectives, as well as reducing unfair competition for legitimate operators. Comments are invited from all interested parties, and the consultation will close on 31 March 2009.

Copies of the consultation paper, draft regulations and a consultation-stage impact assessment will be available on the Department for Transport's website at: www.dft.gov.uk, and copies are available in the Library of the House.