- Greater Manchester Police impounded a Cybertruck for violating UK road safety regulations.
- The electric truck was driven by a UK resident but it was registered and insured abroad.
- Police cited safety risks to other road users in the event of an accident involving the pickup.
A Tesla Cybertruck was impounded last night in the UK after police deemed it illegal for street use. While the electric pickup isn’t officially offered by Tesla in the UK or Europe, that hasn’t stopped several determined owners from shipping them across the Atlantic and attempting to modify them for local compliance.
However, many of those owners are now learning the hard way that meeting local regulations takes more than a few questionable aftermarket tweaks, like slapping on some rubber edges.
More: Cybertruck Attack Exposes Chilling Truth About How Much Cars Spy On Us
The Cybertruck in question was intercepted by the Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) Transport Unit in the town of Whitefield, on Thursday night. From the outside, the truck looked nearly identical to its US-spec counterparts, save for a matte black wrap and a roof-mounted LED bar. However, appearances only go so far when it comes to UK regulations, which are evidently stricter when it comes to vehicle safety compliance.
According to a police statement shared on social media, the driver was a permanent UK resident, but the truck was “registered and insured abroad”, a big no-no under British law. The police also noted that the Cybertruck lacks a certificate of conformity, essentially a stamp of approval that says a car meets local safety standards. They further raised “legitimate concerns around the safety of other road users or pedestrians” in the event of an accident.
Bury Police – GMP / Facebook.
Impound Under the Road Traffic Act
As a result of these violations, the Cybertruck was “subsequently seized under S165 of the Road Traffic Act and the driver reported” with the driver formally reported for the infraction. For now, the truck is in custody, parked somewhere alongside confiscated mopeds, dubious kit cars, and whatever else finds its way into the police impound lot.
One of the few Cybertruck owners in the UK is Yianni Charalambous, known for his YouTube channel and car-wrapping business, Yiannimize, as well as his appearances in many Carwow videos. His Cybertruck, originally purchased with Albanian plates, but Yianni says he’s currently trying to get it registered in the UK.
More: Even With Rubber Edges, Critics Want Tesla’s Cybertruck Off Europe’s Roads
To comply with local legislation, Yianni’s Cybertruck has been fitted with rubber moldings to soften its sharp edges, as well as yellow indicators on the headlights, taillights, and mirror caps. In addition, the side indicators have been masked, and rear fog lights installed, complete with a dedicated on/off switch.
Whether Yiannimize’s Tesla Cybertruck will receive approval from UK authorities remains uncertain—its excessive weight could still be a dealbreaker. In any case, anyone daring to drive a Cybertruck on this side of the Atlantic should prepare for the possibility of their EV being impounded during a routine police check.