A motorist flouted lockdown rules by travelling around 100 miles “to see a friend” – and now has a long trip home after their car was seized.

Officers from the Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire (BCH) road policing unit stopped a car on the M25 at J18 on Thursday due to insurance issues, but found the driver had not passed their driving test.

Police said checks on the driver revealed that they only had a provisional licence and no pass certificate.

The driver also confirmed to police that they had driven from Bournemouth “to see a friend” in Watford.

The two areas are separated by around 110 miles and is approximately a two hour trip.

Police seized the car, reported the driver and slapped them with a coronavirus fine for breaking lockdown rules.

BCH police said on twitter: “This veh was stopped on the M25 due to Ins issues. Checks showed the driver was a prov. licence holder with no pass cert. Driver also confirmed he had driven from Bournemouth to see a friend in Watford. Veh seized, driver reported for offence & Covid FPN issued.”

Under the lockdown rules, people must not leave home unless they have a reasonable excuse.

The government says that anyone who does need to travel should stay local – meaning avoiding travelling outside of your village, town or the part of a city where you live – and look to reduce the number of journeys you make overall.  

The list of reasons people can leave their home and area include:

  • work, where you cannot reasonably work from home
  • accessing education and for caring responsibilities
  • visiting those in your support bubble – or your childcare bubble for childcare
  • visiting hospital, GP and other medical appointments or visits where you have had an accident or are concerned about your health
  • buying goods or services that you need, but this should be within your local area wherever possible
  • outdoor exercise. This should be done locally wherever possible, but you can travel a short distance within your area to do so if necessary (for example, to access an open space)
  • attending the care and exercise of an animal, or veterinary services