Seized vehicles

Here, you can find out how to reclaim a vehicle that has been seized under Section 165A of the Road Traffic Act 1988. This means an officer had reasonable grounds to believe that the driver was uninsured or was not driving in accordance with their driving licence.

If your vehicle has been seized for this reason the driver should have received a seizure notice.

How to reclaim your vehicle

You'll find the details of how to reclaim your vehicle on the seizure notice. You have 14 days to go to the police station specified on the seizure notice and then to the recovery operator to collect your vehicle. 

To prove your identity you need valid photo ID, such as:

• passport
• driving licence
• EU national identity card
• immigration document

We won't accept a student or employer’s ID.

Payment of charges

You can find full details about the statutory charges you'll have to pay in The Removal, Storage and Disposal of Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Regulations 2023.

For vehicles seized before 6 April 2023 you'll have to pay the charges listed in The Road Traffic Act 1988 (Retention and Disposal of Seized Motor Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 2008.

Please note, the daily storage charges start from midday the day after the vehicle was seized.