A Tesla Cybertruck has been seized by police in Greater Manchester. The Cybertruck was legally registered, but not in the UK, where it is not yet compliant with local regulations.
According to a post from the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) on X, the Cybertruck was pulled over in Whitefield, Bury, earlier this week. The driver, who is a permanent UK resident, was found to be operating the vehicle despite it being registered and insured abroad, which is a violation of UK road laws.
Authorities confirmed that the Cybertruck is not road legal in the UK, as it lacks a certificate of conformity, which is required to meet British vehicle safety standards. Due to these infractions, the vehicle was seized under Section 165 of the Road Traffic Act, and the driver was formally reported.
#SEIZED | Officers from #GMPTransportUnit stopped this Tesla Cybertruck in #Whitefield last night
— Bury Police (GMP) (@GMPBuryPolice) January 17, 2025
The driver was a permanent UK resident, but the vehicle was registered and insured abroad, which is prohibited in the UK.
The car was later seized and the driver was reported. pic.twitter.com/IvfeloAFXb
While the Cybertruck is approved for road use in several countries outside North America, it has faced multiple regulatory and safety hurdles in the UK. As of today, the Cybertruck is currently not certified for public roads due to its unconventional design, which has raised safety concerns by authorities for both drivers and pedestrians.
Authorities have emphasized that while some may see the seizure as an overreach, it is a necessary enforcement measure to ensure the safety of all road users. The driver of the seized vehicle will now have to prove ownership and obtain proper insurance before reclaiming the truck. However, even if it is returned, it will remain illegal to drive on public roads in the UK.
