Tesla fined for repeatedly failing to help UK police over driving offences

Tesla’s UK financial services arm has been convicted multiple times and fined over £20,000 for repeatedly failing to provide information to police about drivers involved in traffic offences, highlighting ongoing compliance issues. Over the past two years, Tesla Financial Services, the British subsidiary of Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company, has faced at least 18 criminal convictions in UK courts for failing to identify drivers accused of speeding and other road traffic violations. These cases have resulted in total penalties exceeding £20,000, including fines, costs, and victim surcharges, as reported by the Press Association and covered by BBC News and Yahoo News. The legal issue stems from Tesla’s practice of offering vehicles on long-term leases, where the company acts as the registered keeper. Under UK law, when a leased or company car is caught committing an offence, the registered keeper is legally obligated to nominate the driver to police. Failure to do so can lead to prosecution of the company itself, with fines ranging up to £1,000 per offence. Specific incidents illustrate the pattern of non-compliance. For example, in July 2025, South Wales Police wrote to Tesla Financial Services to identify the driver of a Tesla speeding at 80mph on the M4 motorway. Despite the request, the company failed to respond promptly, leading to a conviction at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court in January 2026, with a £1,000 fine plus additional costs. In another case, a Tesla driver was captured on camera doing nearly 100mph on the A3 in Hampshire, but police letters went unanswered, resulting in the company being fined instead of the driver. Similarly, another driver was caught speeding three times, but without identification, they avoided potential disqualification, while Tesla faced financial penalties. Court documents reveal that Tesla company director Becky Hodgson pleaded guilty by email in one instance, citing a technical issue with the online plea service as the reason for the delay. However, she asserted that internal processes were followed and the nomination was sent via post, suggesting a disconnect between company actions and legal requirements. The convictions have been handled through the single justice procedure, which deals with minor offences, and involve multiple police forces across England and Wales, including the Metropolitan Police, Hampshire Constabulary, and Thames Valley Police. Letters from police were sent to Tesla offices in London and Manchester, but often remained unanswered. This series of fines raises questions about Tesla’s administrative procedures and compliance with UK regulations. With the company yet to comment on the matter, the cases underscore the challenges faced by leasing companies in managing driver identification and the legal risks of non-cooperation with law enforcement. Looking ahead, the ongoing prosecutions and potential for more cases could prompt Tesla to review its processes to avoid further penalties. The situation also highlights broader issues in the automotive leasing industry regarding responsibility and enforcement in traffic offence cases.