I'm posting on behalf of a friend. They got stopped by the police who then seized their car because they were stupidly driving without insurance. He got a fixed penalty notice of 6 points and a £200 fine. Now comes the difficult bit - trying to get the car back. He can't afford to take out a policy now to get the car back, he'd need a deposit of £400 plus the money to pay the fine and the recovery fee. Yesterday his parents took out insurance on the car and tried to pick the car up but the police wouldn't let them as they weren't the registered keeper of the car. Now, they phoned this morning to see whether they could go again with their son so that the owner and driver would be there but they're saying that they refuse to release the car without a valid insurance certificate with the OWNER on it, not just the nominated driver. Now, if the person could get insurance themselves, why would they need a nominated driver and so why would they have that option in place? I'm pretty sure that they should give the car back and was told that by someone else within the police force. Any help?

Found this in the policy seized unisured cars for Kent Police but can't find any policy for Greater Manchester Poice who are holding the car...

15.4. When the driver nominates a third person to collect their vehicle having satisfied the payment and ownership requirement. It would be useful for the officer/police staff to whom the driving documents are produced to ask the following:

15.5. Does this certificate of insurance/ driving licence cover:

• • This person to drive
  • This vehicle for
  • This purpose on
  • This day?

Shouldn't the same apply?