Police Seizure

BUMP13-X

hi, new here i've searched high and low on the net and can't seem to find any help so any advice would be welcome.

On Monday 16th May 2016 i was driving and was crashed in to. (the driver admitted fault but has since changed his story because....) I was taken to A&E because of the injuries sustained in said crash.

When the police arrived to the hospital (returning my keys or so i thought) they told me my license had been revoked (deeming my insurance invalid) and they had seized my car.

i DID NOT KNOW my license had been revoked. i was made homeless January 2016 (domestic violence case) and called DVLA in March to ask the procedure to do a change of address once homeless. i was told until i have a permanent address i cannot register my license anywhere (understandable) and can't use friend or families.

April 28th 2016 i called DVLA and was told i need to fill out a form and send my license back. this i did and royal mail tracking date confirm delivery 29th April 2016. I called my car insurance around this time too and updated new address.

i called DVLA 10th MAY 2016 to ask where my license was i was told it take 2-4 weeks to get it back (with new address).

So fast forward in the hospital i asked the police WHEN was my license revoked from. they told me FEBRUARY 2016. i explained the above and asked why was i not told when i spoke to DVLA just last week that my license was revoked. police said I must speak to DVLA as they do not no. Spoke to DVLA, Tuesday 18th May 2016, they told me i had points for speeding (x3) and as I am still in two years of having my license it was withdrawn. (the annoying fact is that all three times i have been flashed i was being chased/escaping my abuse partner! The first time i did a driving ed corse and paid a fine so no points for that time). I asked why i was not informed they said they sent several letters (and gave me dates of said letters) to my old home. I explained i hadn't been living there escaping DV and i did phone to tell DVLA i am homeless they told me either way it is my responsibility to make sure my license is registered to the correct address. i asked why wasn't i informed when i called up last week they told me that it was marked as a "generic enquiry" so my information wouldn't have been put in the system to flag this up.

So after getting all this information, I then speak to my insurance who tell me my insurance is void because i don't have a valid license.

Now the issue i have is that, I have no license and no insurance and cannot get my car back out of seizure.

I spoke to the police they told me in order for the car to be released it must be insured to someone with a valid license. I went to the station with the garage guy (the one who's going to fix my car) they said they cannot release the car to someone with traders insurance it has to be specific to the car and individual.

I insured my sister on the car with TempCover so she could get the car out and it could then be put on a tow truck to the garage to get fixed, went to the police station with the documents they told me that TempCover don't insure cars that have been impounded, no short term insurance does.

They also told me if it was to go on a tow truck after its being released i would need the tow truck guy to come in with his documents??

The car is drivable so doesn't necessarily have to go on a tow truck, that is not the issue, but how can i get my car out the pound? i have until Tuesday before the sell or crush it with very limited funds and i really do not know what to do, the police are not being very helpful.

I cannot get a new license, pass my theory and driving test and insure the car in time to do it all in my name.

I've never been in this situation before and besides my sister i have no one else to turn too.

If someone has ANY advice please let me know as i do not want to lose that car. it has literally been my lifeline the last 5 months.

Thank you. (sorry its so long)

custardy

plenty of companies on Google offer impound insurance.

Silver-Surfer_2

BUMP13-X wrote: »

hi, new here i've searched high and low on the net and can't seem to find any help so any advice would be welcome.

On Monday 16th May 2016 i was driving and was crashed in to. (the driver admitted fault but has since changed his story because....) I was taken to A&E because of the injuries sustained in said crash.

When the police arrived to the hospital (returning my keys or so i thought) they told me my license had been revoked (deeming my insurance invalid) and they had seized my car.

i DID NOT KNOW my license had been revoked. i was made homeless January 2016 (domestic violence case) and called DVLA in March to ask the procedure to do a change of address once homeless. i was told until i have a permanent address i cannot register my license anywhere (understandable) and can't use friend or families.

April 28th 2016 i called DVLA and was told i need to fill out a form and send my license back. this i did and royal mail tracking date confirm delivery 29th April 2016. I called my car insurance around this time too and updated new address.

i called DVLA 10th MAY 2016 to ask where my license was i was told it take 2-4 weeks to get it back (with new address).

So fast forward in the hospital i asked the police WHEN was my license revoked from. they told me FEBRUARY 2016. i explained the above and asked why was i not told when i spoke to DVLA just last week that my license was revoked. police said I must speak to DVLA as they do not no. Spoke to DVLA, Tuesday 18th May 2016, they told me i had points for speeding (x3) and as I am still in two years of having my license it was withdrawn. (the annoying fact is that all three times i have been flashed i was being chased/escaping my abuse partner! The first time i did a driving ed corse and paid a fine so no points for that time). I asked why i was not informed they said they sent several letters (and gave me dates of said letters) to my old home. I explained i hadn't been living there escaping DV and i did phone to tell DVLA i am homeless they told me either way it is my responsibility to make sure my license is registered to the correct address. i asked why wasn't i informed when i called up last week they told me that it was marked as a "generic enquiry" so my information wouldn't have been put in the system to flag this up.

So after getting all this information, I then speak to my insurance who tell me my insurance is void because i don't have a valid license.

Now the issue i have is that, I have no license and no insurance and cannot get my car back out of seizure.

I spoke to the police they told me in order for the car to be released it must be insured to someone with a valid license. I went to the station with the garage guy (the one who's going to fix my car) they said they cannot release the car to someone with traders insurance it has to be specific to the car and individual.

I insured my sister on the car with TempCover so she could get the car out and it could then be put on a tow truck to the garage to get fixed, went to the police station with the documents they told me that TempCover don't insure cars that have been impounded, no short term insurance does.

They also told me if it was to go on a tow truck after its being released i would need the tow truck guy to come in with his documents??

The car is drivable so doesn't necessarily have to go on a tow truck, that is not the issue, but how can i get my car out the pound? i have until Tuesday before the sell or crush it with very limited funds and i really do not know what to do, the police are not being very helpful.

I cannot get a new license, pass my theory and driving test and insure the car in time to do it all in my name.

I've never been in this situation before and besides my sister i have no one else to turn too.

If someone has ANY advice please let me know as i do not want to lose that car. it has literally been my lifeline the last 5 months.

Thank you. (sorry its so long)

You don't need to.

A provisional licence L plates and a supervisor will cover it.

angrycrow

Sorry to hear you have had such a rough time. Best thing to do is get your sister to take out a new policy on the car, you will need to inform the insurer the car is impounded so expect the premium to be extortionate. You will then be able to get the car back. If the car is older or low value it may be cheaper to cut your losses and let the pound dispose of the car which will normally cancel out the release and storage fees.

Be prepared for the fact the once you have passed your retest very few insurers will be prepared to even quote and insurance is likely t be north of £3000 so this should be factored into your decision.

angrycrow

Silver-Surfer wrote: »

You don't need to.

A provisional licence L plates and a supervisor will cover it.

Problem for OP is they need to apply for a new provisional so they would not get it in time to recover the car before the pound crush it.

To late now but the circumstances described for the speeding offences if backed up by police notification would have given a very strong case the first time for mitigation arguement for a conviction with a fine but no points. I doubt the magistrates would allow it twice though.

BUMP13-X

angrycrow wrote: »

Sorry to hear you have had such a rough time. Best thing to do is get your sister to take out a new policy on the car, you will need to inform the insurer the car is impounded so expect the premium to be extortionate. You will then be able to get the car back. If the car is older or low value it may be cheaper to cut your losses and let the pound dispose of the car which will normally cancel out the release and storage fees.

Be prepared for the fact the once you have passed your retest very few insurers will be prepared to even quote and insurance is likely t be north of £3000 so this should be factored into your decision.

Thanks for your reply. the car is worth around £8,000 (not inc damage) currently so would need to get it out ASAP. will contact insurers monday.

BUMP13-X

angrycrow wrote: »

Problem for OP is they need to apply for a new provisional so they would not get it in time to recover the car before the pound crush it.

To late now but the circumstances described for the speeding offences if backed up by police notification would have given a very strong case the first time for mitigation arguement for a conviction with a fine but no points. I doubt the magistrates would allow it twice though.

thanks for you reply. Yeah sending off for a provisional doesn't = i have a provisional so cannot get insured on it.

BUMP13-X

Silver-Surfer wrote: »

You don't need to.

A provisional licence L plates and a supervisor will cover it.

thanks for you reply. Yeah sending off for a provisional doesn't = i have a provisional so cannot get insured on it.

Silver-Surfer_2

BUMP13-X wrote: »

Thanks for your reply. the car is worth around £8,000 (not inc damage) currently so would need to get it out ASAP. will contact insurers monday.

You've got a pile of scrap at the moment if your insurance have cancelled your policy and the third party is denying responsibility.

BUMP13-X

custardy wrote: »

plenty of companies on Google offer impound insurance.

of the 4 i spoke to today 3 said the registered owner/keeper (me) had to be the policy holder the insurance. and the fourth company where charging £37pd for minimum 30days. paid via bank transfer and no refunds even if cancelled.

BUMP13-X

Silver-Surfer wrote: »

You've got a pile of scrap at the moment if your insurance have cancelled your policy and the third party is denying responsibility.

Damage will cost around £1000-1500 to fix. I will have to pay for my car damages my self yes in due course, garage guy was happy to take his time until i come up with some sorts of funds (told him would be at least 6 weeks). third party is denying responsibility now as he is aware that my insurance has been voided however thats not affecting my car.