Getting a car released from an impound isn’t just about paying the fees. Pound staff are legally required to confirm both identity and entitlement before handing a vehicle back. Turning up without the right documents can easily mean another wasted trip — and another day’s storage charges added to the bill. The paperwork you’ll need depends slightly on whether the vehicle was seized by the police, the DVLA, or a local council, but the essentials rarely change.

Proof of identity

The person collecting the car must bring photo identification. This could be a UK driving licence, passport, or official ID card. Staff will check the photo against the person present and may take a copy for their records. If someone is collecting the vehicle on your behalf, they must bring their own ID as well as a signed letter of authority from you.

Proof of ownership or entitlement

The pound must be satisfied that the person collecting the vehicle has a legal right to do so. Usually, this means producing the V5C logbook (or new keeper slip) showing your name and address. A purchase receipt or finance agreement alone will not normally suffice. If you’ve recently bought the car and the V5C hasn’t yet arrived, a sales invoice plus proof of insurance in your name may be accepted, but this varies by pound.

If the car belongs to a company, bring a letter on headed paper from a director authorising the named collector, together with the business insurance certificate and a copy of the company registration document.

Valid insurance covering impound release

Ordinary motor insurance policies rarely cover vehicles being released from a pound. You’ll need a specific impound insurance certificate showing the correct registration number and confirming that the policy allows the vehicle to be driven from an impound. Staff will check that the cover is current and valid on the date of collection. In most cases, printed proof is required; digital copies on a phone are not always accepted.

Temporary or short-term policies may be used as long as they meet the pound’s criteria. The certificate must list the policyholder as the driver collecting the car unless written authority has been given for someone else to drive it away.

Vehicle tax and MOT

If the car is untaxed or lacks a valid MOT, it can usually be removed only by recovery truck, not driven away. Pound staff may check online records before release. You can tax the vehicle immediately once new insurance is active — either online at GOV.UK or at a Post Office before collection — but proof must be available if requested.

Payment for release and storage fees

Charges must be paid in full before the car can leave the pound. Typical fees include a release charge (for the tow and administration) and a daily storage fee. Payment is usually accepted by debit or credit card; some sites also take cash but not cheques. Always confirm accepted payment methods in advance to avoid delays.

When someone else collects the car

If a friend, family member, or recovery agent collects the vehicle for you, they’ll need:

• a signed and dated letter of authority from the registered keeper,
• a copy of the keeper’s photo ID,
• their own photo ID, and
• valid insurance for the journey or evidence that the car will be transported by truck.

Final note

Every pound has its own small variations, but the essentials are consistent: ID, proof of ownership, valid impound insurance, and payment. Arriving with all of these in order keeps the process smooth and prevents expensive overnight delays. If in doubt, call the pound first — they can confirm exactly what documents they’ll accept before you set out.

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.