Police didn’t believe a Cowbit man that his driving ban had been rescinded and impounded his car, leaving him with a £300 bill to release it.
Dean Webb (20), of Drain Bank, appeared in court on Thursday when the prosecution withdrew a charge of driving while disqualified.
Solicitor Mike Alexander, for Webb, said the information had reached the DVLA but not the police national computer (PNC) and police didn’t investigate it properly.
He was granted a defendant’s cost order to help Webb recover his car.
Presiding magistrate Sally Ruttley said it was “a pity that it actually came to court”.