20 defects, no licence, cannabis use: 43-year-old stopped in Ratingen
Mettmann traffic police stopped a rusted-through Ford Transit in Ratingen on 10 November 2026; its 43-year-old driver admitted having no licence and having consumed cannabis the night before. Officers impounded the van over 20 defects, barred him from driving and took a blood sample as several criminal proceedings were opened.
🇩🇪 Homberger Strasse, Ratingen, North Rhine-Westphalia · Germany
On Tuesday 10 November 2026, traffic officers of the Mettmann police stopped a
conspicuous Ford Transit in Ratingen and opened several investigations against
its driver.[1]Just after the check began at about 8:20 on Homberger Strasse,
the 43-year-old Polish man from Bottrop admitted that he held no valid driving
licence.[1]He also told officers that he had consumed cannabis the previous
evening.[1]
A closer examination of the van by a vehicle inspection organisation found 20
defects, and the Transit was classified as unroadworthy.[1]Police impounded
the vehicle immediately and prohibited the driver from driving motor vehicles.[1]Officers ordered a blood sample, which was taken at the police station in
Ratingen.[1]
The driver now faces proceedings for driving without a licence, driving under
the influence of drugs, document forgery and driving an unroadworthy vehicle.[2]The WAZ account likewise described a scrap-ready rust bucket whose Bottrop
driver had no licence and was under the influence of drugs when police stopped
the van in Ratingen.[3]
Photos and video
Police handout photo of the rusted-through frame of the stopped Ford Transit. Photo: Polizei MettmannPhoto details
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Source: Westdeutsche Allgemeine ZeitungA look inside the stopped van, published with the RP Online report. Photo: RP/Polizei MettmannPhoto details
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