NI increases seized vehicle fees from 10 Nov 2025
If the PSNI seizes your car or bike because it’s suspected of being driven without insurance, the bill to get it back is changing. From Monday 10 November 2025, statutory charges for removal and storage rise under new Department of Justice regulations (S.R. 2025 No. 168). This update only applies to vehicles seized on or after that date. Source: legislation.gov.uk and the Department of Justice.
Why the change now? Northern Ireland hasn’t updated these fees since 2008, and recovery operators say costs have moved on. The Department of Justice consulted on a rise in 2024 and flagged an average uplift around 28%, in line with the increases introduced for England and Wales in April 2023. This keeps NI broadly aligned with neighbouring jurisdictions. Sources: Department of Justice (NI) and Home Office guidance.
What you’ll pay for the most common cases. For a standard private car found upright on the road and not substantially damaged, the removal charge moves to £192. If the car is on the road but not upright or is substantially damaged, it’s £320. If it’s off road but upright, it’s £256; off road and not upright or substantially damaged, it’s £384. Daily storage for a car becomes £26. For motorbikes, removal is £192 and daily storage is £13. Source: Home Office table (used to align the NI rates).
Larger vehicles cost more. A van between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes is £256 if upright on road, £832 if on road and not upright or damaged, £512 off road upright, and £1,089 off road and not upright or damaged. Heavier lorries see much higher figures: for example, a 7.5–18 tonne HGV that’s on road and not upright or is substantially damaged is £2,561 if unladen and £3,842 if laden; the most complex recoveries for the heaviest vehicles can reach £7,684. Source: Home Office matrix (mirrored in NI).
A quick primer on the rules behind a seizure. When a vehicle is seized for no insurance under Article 180B of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981, you (or the registered keeper) must be given a seizure notice. That notice must give you at least seven working days to claim the vehicle, and it sets out where the vehicle is kept and what you need to do. These timelines and requirements come from the existing 2008 regulations, which the 2025 rule changes update for fees. Source: legislation.gov.uk.
What to bring to get your vehicle back. You’ll need to prove who you are, show valid insurance and a valid driving licence. If you personally can’t meet the insurance or licence requirements, you can nominate another insured and licensed driver to collect the vehicle. The vehicle can be held until these conditions are met and the charges are paid. Source: 2008 NI regulations (regulations 4 and 5).
Where to go and practical steps. PSNI directs document checks to specific stations, and times vary, so read your notice carefully before you travel. If you’re unsure where your vehicle is or which station to attend, use the non‑emergency 101 line or check the PSNI guidance page for seized vehicles to confirm locations and opening hours. Source: PSNI.
Storage charges add up daily, including part‑days. Under the regulations, storage is charged for each 24‑hour period or part thereof, and the clock is counted from noon on the first day after removal during which the pound is open before noon. In simple terms: the sooner you get your paperwork in order and attend, the less you’ll pay. Source: legislation.gov.uk.
Who actually pays? Usually the registered keeper, owner or driver will be liable for removal and storage. There is a limited defence: if you weren’t driving, didn’t know the vehicle was being driven, hadn’t consented, and couldn’t reasonably have prevented it, you may not be liable for the charges. If that’s you, tell the police promptly and be ready with evidence. Source: 2008 NI regulations (regulation 5(5)).
If you don’t reclaim the vehicle, it can be disposed of after the statutory period. If it’s sold, you can claim the net proceeds (sale price minus removal and storage charges) within a year by proving you were the owner at the time of sale. This right exists even if you missed the reclaim deadline. Source: legislation.gov.uk.
A note on what’s not covered here. These NI fee changes are about police seizures for no insurance. Parking clamping or relocation is different, handled by the Department for Infrastructure, and the charges are separate - for example, nidirect lists £105 to remove a vehicle to a pound plus about £12 per day storage for parking enforcement. Check your paperwork so you don’t mix up schemes. Source: nidirect.
Dates to circle. Old rates still apply if your vehicle was seized before Sunday 9 November 2025. The new rates apply to vehicles seized on or after Monday 10 November 2025. If you teach citizenship or law, this makes a neat case study in how regulations change: the 2008 rules set out the process; the 2025 amendment updates the money. Sources: legislation.gov.uk and the Department of Justice.