Armchair Laners

VOSA has expressed some views on this position

The following situations do not in VOSA’s view constitute as  recovery
 
Picking up cars or MOT failures from car auctions

Picking up cars from Scrap yards

Removing abandoned or wheel clamped vehicles from the roadside - unless the removal is under the instruction of the police or local authority
 
VOSA appears to limit the scope of ‘disabled vehicle’ with a roadside breakdown but we are not saying that is a proper interpretation
 
VOSA advise that their list is not exhaustive but should be considered as a good indication of what activities may or may not require an Operator’s Licence when in

the recovery game

VOSA’s advice is open to question and as such it is not really a good indication of anything
 
So what is to be deduced from all this ?

It seems that a vehicle that is unable to proceed under its own steam is clearly a disabled vehicle as such disability is likely to be significant

So a serious mechanical breakdown such as engine failure or gearbox failure will qualify

It seems that disabling a vehicle deliberately as a work around i.e. deliberate removal of a rotor arm or other necessary component will not constitute a significantly disabled vehicle

However any significant disability not involving deliberate sabotage by the recovery vehicle operator or driver must potentially fall within the scope of the exemption