Excessively long test drive leads to excessive speeding impound near Merritt

July 27, 2026 - Merritt, British Columbia
From: BC Highway Patrol

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A man who claimed to be on a test-drive has had his prospective purchase impounded just east of Merritt, over 300 kilometres away from the dealership where he started.

On July 17, 2026, at 6:15 p.m., on Highway 97C near Elkhart, BC, a grey Toyota sedan was stopped for excessive speed when a BC Highway Patrol laser showed a reading of 172 km/h in a 110 zone. 

“The driver told police that he and his girlfriend were on an overnight test-drive from Vancouver to Kelowna,” said Sergeant Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. “The vehicle successfully demonstrated that it can speed and that it fits on the back of a tow truck.”

Regardless of the reason for the road trip, the 30-year-old Vancouver driver was issued the following:

• A ticket for excessive speed (over 60 km/h), section 148(1) of the BC Motor Vehicle Act, with a fine of $483;
• The cost of a tow truck (for the driver) and a seven-day impound (which is the responsibility of the Registered Owner),
• At least three years of high-risk driver premiums that will bring the total costs close to $2,500.

At the time of writing, BC Highway Patrol has no information on whether the test-driver actually purchased the Toyota.

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