The powers library45 of 59 Road policing

Seizing vehicles used antisocially

s.59Police Reform Act 2002

Lets a uniformed constable stop, seize and remove a motor vehicle that is being, or has been, driven carelessly, inconsiderately or off-road in a way that causes or is likely to cause alarm, distress or annoyance to the public.

Seizing vehicles used antisocially · Police Reform Act 2002, s.59Card 45 / 59

When you can use it

A constable in uniform
s.59(1)Reasonable grounds for believing a motor vehicle is being used on any occasion in a manner that contravenes RTA 1988 s.3 (careless or inconsiderate driving) or s.34 (off-road driving)
And that the use is causing, or is likely to cause, alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public
s.59(2)Or reasonable grounds for believing the vehicle has been used in that manner
s.59(8)Regulations under s.60 must be in force (they are)
Entry to premises only for the purpose of stopping or seizing the vehicle, and not into a private dwelling house

What it allows

Ordering the driver of a moving vehicle to stop (s.59(3)(a)).
Seizing and removing the vehicle (s.59(3)(b)).
Entering any premises where the constable reasonably believes the vehicle is, to stop or seize it (s.59(3)(c)), but not a private dwelling house (s.59(7)).
Using reasonable force, if necessary, for any of these (s.59(3)(d)).

Key definitions

Motor vehicle – s.59(9): any mechanically propelled vehicle, whether or not intended or adapted for road use. Off-road bikes, quad bikes and e-scooters are covered.
Driving – s.59(9): has the same meaning as in the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Private dwelling house – s.59(9): does not include a garage or other structure occupied with the house, or land belonging to it. A driveway or garden can be entered.
Off-road driving – RTA 1988 s.34: driving without lawful authority on common land, moorland or other land that is not a road, or on a footpath, bridleway or restricted byway.

Safeguards

The constable must be in uniform.
No warning is needed before seizure for use on or after 29 June 2026. The Crime and Policing Act 2026, s.8 removed the warning rule in s.59(4) and (5).
For use before 29 June 2026, the old rule still applies (s.8(2)): warn first and seize only if the use continues or is repeated, unless an exception applies: a warning is impracticable, the constable has already given one on that occasion, there are reasonable grounds to believe someone else gave one on that occasion, or reasonable grounds to believe the person was warned on a previous occasion in the last 12 months (old s.59(5)).
The Police (Retention and Disposal of Motor Vehicles) Regulations 2002 govern custody, the seizure notice to the owner, release charges and disposal. An owner who was not the one using the vehicle, and who did not know of or consent to the use and could not reasonably have prevented it, pays no removal or retention charge (reg. 5(3)).

Good to know

Failing to stop when ordered under s.59(3)(a) is a summary offence, with a fine up to level 3 (s.59(6)).
The vehicle does not need to be on a road. Careless driving covers roads and other public places, and s.34 covers off-road land.
Exam trap: older material says a warning must normally be given first. That is no longer the law for current incidents.
Compare seizure for no licence or no insurance under RTA 1988 s.165A.

Legislation: Police Reform Act 2002, s.59 (opens legislation.gov.uk in a new tab)
Who can use it: A constable in uniform
Last checked: 3 November 2026, against the current law on legislation.gov.uk

Seizing vehicles used antisocially: questions people ask

When can the police use seizing vehicles used antisocially?

1. A constable in uniform 2. Reasonable grounds for believing a motor vehicle is being used on any occasion in a manner that contravenes RTA 1988 s.3 (careless or inconsiderate driving) or s.34 (off-road driving) 3. And that the use is causing, or is likely to cause, alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public 4. Or reasonable grounds for believing the vehicle has been used in that manner 5. Regulations under s.60 must be in force (they are) 6. Entry to premises only for the purpose of stopping or seizing the vehicle, and not into a private dwelling house

Who can use seizing vehicles used antisocially?

A constable in uniform.

What law gives the power for seizing vehicles used antisocially?

Police Reform Act 2002, s.59.

More road policing powers

All road policing powers