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 3708 seizure notice.
If your vehicle has been impounded for another reason, go to our impounded vehicles page.
Immobilisation device removal
To get an immobilisation device removed:
- You must pay any outstanding penalties or fines
- Vehicle defects will need to be repaired. The police or DVSA officer may also specify that an annual inspection of the vehicle may need to take place.
- Any prohibitions on driver hours must have expired.
You must pay for the removal of the immobilisation device. It costs £80 and you must pay through the GOV.UK Pay platform.
After you've paid, please phone 101 to arrange for the device to be removed. You'll need to give the reference from the immobilisation notice.
A date and time will be agreed to remove the immobilisation device. You'll need to show either a digital or physical copy of the payment confirmation to the officer before the immobilisation device can be removed.
Please note: It is illegal to remove an immobilisation device yourself.
Vehicle recovery
If you have not paid the immobilisation fee and recovered the vehicle within five days, along with any required repairs, then the vehicle is classified as abandoned. It will then be recovered (removed) by Dyfed Powys Police.
Any vehicles recovered by Dyfed Powys Police then fall under the Vehicle Recovery Scheme where different fees apply.
Complaints about vehicle immobilisation
If you want to complain about the immobilisation of a vehicle by the police you can do so using our online complaints form.
You can also contact us by post.
Professional Standards Department
Dyfed Powys Police Headquarters
Llangunnor
Carmarthen
Carmarthenshire
SA31 2PF
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.