Vehicle immobilisation
Vehicle immobilisation is something the police use to stop a vehicle from moving.
Police officers have the power to immobilise your vehicle when they stop you. They also have the power to move the vehicle, or tell you to move it so they can fit an immobilisation device.
Vehicles can be immobilised for a number of reasons:
- if they are unfit for driving or overloaded (Section 69 or 70 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and Section 1 Road Traffic (Foreign Vehicles) 1972)
- if there are unpaid penalty fines on your vehicle (Section 90D of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988)
- if goods vehicle drivers have broken the rules on drivers hours (Section 99A(1) of the Transport Act 1968)
The regulations do not apply in relation to a vehicle if a current disabled person’s badge or current recognised badge is displayed on that vehicle.
If your vehicle has been seized for no insurance and/or licence, the driver should have received a form WT840 seizure notice.
If your vehicle has been impounded for another reason, go to our impounded vehicles page.
Immobilisation device removal
You must pay for the removal of the immobilisation device. It costs £80 and you must pay through the GOV.UK Pay platform.
Please note: It is illegal to remove an immobilisation device yourself.
Complaints about vehicle immobilisation
If you want to complain about the immobilisation of a vehicle by the police you can do so by email.
You can also contact us by post:
Abnormal Loads Team
CMPG,
Thornbridge Avenue,
Perry Barr,
Birmingham, B42 2AG
This is a mailing address only. Don't come to this office in person. If you do, you won't be seen.
Please note: if you intend to dispute the offence that lead to the vehicle being immobilised, you must still pay the release fee. If your challenge is successful we will arrange for the fee to be refunded.
The charging of an immobilisation fee is a civil matter, which is separate from the prosecution for any motoring offences.
If you've been reported for an offence the police will have issued you with a Fixed Penalty Notice or Roadside Deposit. That notice will have information about how to request a court hearing. You must not attempt to pay any Fixed Penalty Notices or Roadside Deposits via the immobilisation website on this page.
If your complaint is about a police officer or a member of police staff you can complain online, at the Independent Office for Police Conduct or at any police station.