Whether you need a recovery truck to collect an impounded car depends on the vehicle’s condition, its legal status, and the documents you can provide at the pound. In many cases, you can drive the car home yourself — but only if it’s taxed, insured for impound release, and roadworthy. If any of those are missing, a recovery truck is the only legal way to remove it.

When you can drive the car away

Police and council pounds will usually allow you to drive the car home if all the following apply:

• you are the registered keeper or have written authorisation from them,
• you have a valid driving licence,
• you hold an insurance certificate that specifically covers impound release,
• the car has a valid MOT and road tax, and
• the vehicle is roadworthy — with working lights, tyres, and brakes.

If you meet every one of these conditions, pound staff will usually release the car for you to drive home immediately after paying the fees. You may need to show printed proof of tax and MOT if there’s any doubt.

When a recovery truck is required

A recovery truck is needed if the vehicle cannot legally be driven away. That includes situations where:

• the car has no valid MOT certificate,
• the vehicle is untaxed,
• the car is not roadworthy (flat tyres, broken lights, or accident damage),
• you are disqualified, or
• the driver collecting the car is not insured to drive it on the road.

In those cases, pound staff will only allow release onto a flatbed or recovery vehicle. You can arrange this yourself through any licensed recovery firm, or some pounds offer a list of approved contractors you can contact on the day. The driver of the truck will need to show their own ID and insurance before loading the vehicle.

What recovery trucks are used for

Recovery vehicles are designed to transport cars that can’t be driven legally or safely. Using one ensures that you comply with road traffic laws and that the car won’t be seized again on the way home. Most professional recovery services can collect directly from the pound, load the vehicle safely, and take it either to your address or to a garage for repair or inspection.

Costs and arrangements

Private recovery costs vary depending on distance, vehicle size, and location, but typical rates range from £80 to £150 for local transport within 10 miles. It’s worth comparing prices in advance, as storage fees at the pound can easily exceed the cost of recovery if you delay by even one day.

When in doubt, ask the pound

Before arranging collection, call the pound and ask whether your vehicle can be driven away or if a truck is needed. They can check the tax and MOT status, confirm roadworthiness conditions, and prevent wasted time or duplicate fees.

Final note

If your car is taxed, insured, roadworthy, and you have all the right documents, you can usually drive it home yourself. But if it’s untaxed, damaged, or lacks a valid MOT, a recovery truck is compulsory. Confirm the details with the pound before you travel — it’s far cheaper to book a recovery vehicle in advance than to pay for another day’s storage while you arrange one later.

Check here for more useful information about impounded cars!

Please note: impound rules, collection windows and fee structures are set locally and can change at any time. Details on this site offer a broad outline only and are not guaranteed to match the requirements of any individual pound or authority.