| Time | Action | Notes |
| Day 1 | A vehicle theft allegation is made | The victim is issued a crime number. |
| A LoS marker is placed against the VRM on the PNC LoS register | The PNC manual and 11/2024 NPCC circular advise: ‘the report should be confirmed within 48 hours’ | |
| If the report is confirmed, the LoS notification is sent to the DVLA who record a ‘stolen’ marker against the VRM. This LoS marker will remain in place on the PNC until the vehicle is found or it is weeded at 6 years – whichever comes first. | ||
| Day 3 | The LoS report should be confirmed by now (within 48 hours) BUT if this has NOT occurred | The LoS status is recorded on the PNC, but the DVLA are unaware of the stolen status because the PNC LoS entry has NOT been ‘confirmed’ |
| Day 14 | PNC Bureau issues an ‘alert’ to the recording constabulary: ‘The LoS report has not been ‘confirmed’ | The LoS status has still not reached the DVLA. Unaware of the ‘stolen’ report the DVLA will act upon the approach and not notify law enforcement of the activity. The LoS status remains recorded on PNC |
| Day 42 | PNC Bureau issues another alert: ‘The LoS report has not been ‘confirmed, the LoS marker against the VRM will be removed | By now, the DVLA has been oblivious to the stolen status of the VRM for 6 weeks. Enquiries of the VRM requests for documentation, will have been handled in the ordinary course of business |
| Day 43 | The LoS marker is weeded from PNC as the crime was not ‘confirmed’. | The VRM is no longer recorded LoS on the PNC |
| The LoS marker having been removed, if checked on PNC, the VRM will appear as though the vehicle has been RECOVERED | ||
| The constabulary’s recovery rate improves (inappropriately) i.e. may artificially inflate clearance/recovery indicators depending on how local MI counts weeded markers. | ||
| Vehicle Provenance Companies, business providing pre-purchase vehicle checks, will return ‘Vehicle NOT recorded stolen’* |
In brief:
- If not confirmed within 6 weeks (first 42 days):
A vehicle reported stolen, yet unrecovered, will return “clear” at the DVLA
- If not confirmed after 6 weeks (on day 43 forward):
A vehicle reported stolen, yet unrecovered, will return “clear” on PNC, ANPR, provenance checks, and DVLA systems.
To my knowledge, Claims Management & Adjusting Ltd (CMA) are the only organisation in the UK that monitors the on/off LoS activity on the PNC, particularly at day 43 thereby providing a safety-net for the insured/victim, insurers & the police