A Danish man faces severe consequences after police seized a Tesla Model Y Performance during what was supposed to be a routine test drive. The incident occurred in October when the 38-year-old Copenhagen-area businessman borrowed the vehicle from a Tesla dealership in Køge.
The driver signed a contract explicitly prohibiting reckless driving before taking the wheel. Despite this agreement, police stopped him shortly afterward on Nordhøj in Køge. Officers clocked his speed at slightly over 100 kilometers per hour in a 50 km/h zone. This constituted more than double the legal speed limit, automatically qualifying as reckless driving under Danish law.
A judge at the Roskilde Court approved the vehicle's seizure on Thursday morning. The Tesla will remain in police custody until the case goes to trial. Authorities will then decide whether to permanently confiscate the vehicle.
The driver admitted his actions in court. He called his behavior stupid but claimed it wasn't intentional. The man explained he was testing the car's acceleration capabilities without realizing how fast he was traveling. He insisted he only accelerated on a road section with no pedestrians or cyclists present.
Tesla's Model Y Performance can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds. The driver said he quickly reached high speed and then slowed down again. He expressed interest in Tesla models but admitted he couldn't afford to buy one currently.
Both the driver and Tesla wanted the vehicle returned. The man argued the seizure was disproportionate to his offense. The judge disagreed, noting Danish law provides only narrow exceptions to vehicle confiscation in reckless driving cases.
Danish reckless driving laws carry strict automatic penalties when drivers exceed speed limits by more than 100%. Vehicle confiscation represents a standard consequence, regardless of ownership status. The system aims to deter extreme speeding through immediate, tangible consequences.
This case highlights the serious financial risks of test drive violations. The seized Tesla carries an approximate value of 500,000 Danish kroner (about $72,000). If the court orders permanent confiscation, the driver could face this substantial financial loss despite not owning the vehicle.
The situation creates a complex liability scenario between the driver and Tesla dealership. While the driver bears responsibility for his actions, the dealership now faces potential financial loss during an extended seizure period. This case may prompt car dealerships to reconsider test drive policies and supervision.
Police expect to complete their investigation soon. The court will then schedule the full reckless driving trial. The outcome will determine whether the Tesla returns to the dealership or becomes permanent government property.
International readers should note that Nordic countries typically enforce stricter traffic penalties than many other regions. Vehicle confiscation for speeding offenses occurs more routinely in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway compared to North American or other European jurisdictions. This reflects the region's strong emphasis on road safety and deterrence-based enforcement.