Tesla Fined for Failing to Assist UK Police Over Driving Offences
Tesla has recently faced significant legal repercussions, having been fined for its repeated failures to cooperate with UK police regarding driving offences.
Key Details on Tesla’s Legal Challenges
– Total Convictions: Tesla has been convicted at least 18 times and ordered to pay over £20,000 due to non-compliance with police requests.
– Nature of Offences: The charges stem from alleged road traffic offences, which the British arm of Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company has encountered over the past two years.
– Leasing Regulations: Tesla’s business model involves offering long-term leases, meaning the leasing company is often the registered keeper of the vehicle. This arrangement complicates the process for police attempting to identify drivers who have committed traffic violations.
– Legal Proceedings: In recent weeks, nearly 4,000 individuals in England and Wales have been convicted for failing to identify their vehicle’s driver. Fines for these offences range from £1 to £1,000.
Specific Incidents
– In July 2025, South Wales Police reached out to Tesla Financial Services to identify a driver caught speeding at 80 mph (128 km/h) on the M4 near Llantrisant.
– Court documentation reveals that a company director, Becky Hodgson, had to plead guilty on behalf of Tesla by email due to technical issues encountered during an online plea submission.
– Following this admission, a conviction was recorded on January 6, resulting in a £1,000 fine, alongside a £120 costs order and a £400 victim surcharge.
Additional Cases and Penalties
– The Press Association has documented at least 18 convictions against Tesla Financial Services since the beginning of 2024, involving prosecutions from multiple forces, including the Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police.
– Convictions have been particularly impactful:
– One incident involved a Tesla driver clocked at nearly 100 mph (160 km/h) on the A3 in Petersfield. The driver was not identified, leading to a fine imposed on Tesla instead.
– There was also a case where a Tesla driver allegedly sped three times, raising the possibility of disqualification if identified.
Consequences and Financial Impact
– Over £20,686 in fines, costs, and court fees have been imposed on Tesla by magistrates through minor offence procedures.
– Multiple letters from police requesting driver identification have gone unanswered, directed at Tesla’s offices in London and Manchester.
Tesla has been invited to comment on these alarming developments, which not only affect its reputation but also the accountability expected from companies managing leased vehicles. As this situation unfolds, further scrutiny may continue to challenge Tesla’s operations in the UK.