Can I get a rebate on a car being impounded?

Barry_B_2

Hi,

I was spot checked for drink driving by police the other day. I told them I had had a pint with dinner. I failed the test in the car and was taken to the police station. As this was on the motorway the car was impounded.

At the police station it was proven that I was under the limit and dropped off at my mates house.

However the problem is, when I went to pick the car up at 9am in the morning, it was £150 to get the car back plus I had to pay an additional £30 vat as when the car was collected i was a "prisoner."

I believe it was the police and their breathalysers fault my car had to be impounded, and £180 is extortionate for having not done anything wrong, and is also very hard for me as i was already having financial difficulties.

I received the police' administration address as I intend to try and claim the money back, can anyone give me any advice on this matter, ie should I write or call and what would be best to say?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

vax2002

You should have been given a print out of your reading ? what was it

thenudeone

so many questions:
was it seized or just recovered?
were you asked what you would like doing with the car?
could it have been safely left where you were stopped? EDIT - re-read, it was on motorway so probably not.
was there anyone else (eg a friend) who was insured, licenced, and available to drive the car away instead of having it recovered?
Did the officer ensure that 20 minutes had elapsed between you consuming alcohol and doing the test? (If not - the arrest was unlawful)

Kilty_2

You were "spot checked" on the motorway? Really?

cajef

Barry_B wrote: »

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Don't drink and drive, then it would not have happened.

fivetide

Kilty wrote: »

You were "spot checked" on the motorway? Really?

Exactly, more to it than the OP is letting on.

Sounds like you were lucky it took time to get you back to the station so your blood alcohol level dropped under the limit.

Pay up, stop moaning, be happy that:

A: You didn't kill anyone

B: You still have a license

And, as said, don't do it again.


5t.

jonnyd281

Bearing in mind that the amount of alchol in your system is reducing all the time, it is highly likley you gave a positive indication at the roadside and were under the limit by the time you got to the police station.

RichGold

Barry_B wrote: »

I believe it was the police and their breathalysers fault

Really? They made you have a pint with your dinner did they?

You're very lucky your breath/alcohol level dropped in between failing the roadside test and getting on the evidential breathalyser at the police station. If it hadn't then you'd be looking at a mandatory ban and a fine.

There is no channel of recourse for this offence, you are liable for the impound fees and that's that.

Also be aware there is probably a marker against your number plate now meaning you're likely to be stopped more often, especially if driving at night.

vax2002

RichGold wrote: »

Really? They made you have a pint with your dinner did they?


There is no channel of recourse for this offence, you are liable for the impound fees and that's that.

What offence ?

mcjordi

i have no sympathy with drink drivers.

you were over the limit on the roadside breath test so therefore arested for drink driving, however on the evidential machine back at the police station you were below. be thankful you havent lost your license as it would of happend if you were over..

look at it this way the £180 quid fee is a lesson to not even have one pint..

mikey72

I don't think you're on the right site here.
Guilty by hearsay.
As you were innocent, and so released, good luck anyway. Post back if you do get the fees back.
(But I reckon they will have you marked over christmas)