Fly-tippers face losing driving licences in new crackdown

Fly-tippers could lose their driving licences under a new government ‘Waste Crime Action Plan’, which will set out a tough crackdown on waste criminals blighting neighbourhoods—from local fly-tipping to large-scale illegal waste sites.

To hit offenders where it hurts, the government is exploring new powers to endorse driving licences with penalty points for those caught fly-tipping. Since most illegal deposits are roughly the size of a small van load, the move aims to link the crime to the vehicle used, ensuring that those who use the road to dump waste face the risk of losing their right to drive entirely.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: ‘‘Fly-tipping damages our communities and the environment and we are taking action to stop it. Litter louts who repeatedly break the law will see points added to their licence and risk losing it for good if they continue to offend. We are empowering local authorities to deal with fly-tipping, like seizing and crushing vehicles, and are urging them to make use of the whole range of measures available to them.’’

Driving licence holders can be disqualified from driving if they build up 12 or more penalty points within a period of 3 years. To support these tougher enforcement measures, the government is providing councils with a multi-year funding settlement—the first in over a decade—to ensure local authorities have the resources to tackle blight in their neighbourhoods.

Alongside this, new guidance has been published giving councils clear instructions on identifying, seizing, and disposing of vehicles involved in fly-tipping. It also includes advice on taking cases to court and securing convictions against vehicle owners. Convicted fly-tippers can already face heavy fines, community sentences, or prison.