Most people associate impounded cars with the police, but not every seized vehicle ends up in a police-controlled pound. In the UK, several authorities can legally remove and store vehicles — each with its own rules, fees, and release process. Knowing who holds the car is essential before you arrange insurance or pay charges, because procedures differ depending on who carried out the seizure.

Police pounds

Police impounds handle cars seized under Section 165A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 — typically for no insurance, no licence, or being used dangerously. These pounds are managed by contractors on behalf of the local police force, but release conditions are set nationally. To collect a car, you must show ID, proof of ownership, and an insurance certificate that explicitly covers impound release.

DVLA pounds

The DVLA can clamp or impound untaxed or SORN-declared vehicles that have been driven or parked on public roads. These vehicles are usually stored at commercial compounds rather than police sites. The release process involves paying tax arrears, a surety deposit, and removal fees. If you pay the surety deposit, it’s refundable once the vehicle is taxed again within the specified time.

Unlike police releases, DVLA impound cases don’t normally require special impound insurance unless the car will be driven away. However, you must still show valid road tax and insurance before taking it back onto public roads.

Council pounds

Local councils have the power to remove vehicles for unpaid parking penalties, obstruction, or suspected abandonment under the Traffic Management Act 2004 and the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978. These pounds are often managed by private towing contractors on behalf of the council.

For council impounds, the release process involves paying a penalty charge notice (PCN), removal fee, and daily storage fees. Insurance isn’t usually checked at the gate because these are civil enforcement cases, but you’ll still need valid cover before driving the car away. Some councils will only allow release once you show proof of ownership and photographic ID.

Private or landowner impounds

There are also privately operated compounds that recover vehicles from commercial premises, car parks, or private land. These may act on behalf of landowners or housing associations. Although they can legally remove vehicles under certain conditions, they operate outside police control and are bound by contract law rather than road traffic legislation. If your car was taken from private land, the procedure for recovery will depend on the company’s own policy — and disputes often have to be resolved through civil channels rather than through the police.

How to find out who has your vehicle

If your car has disappeared and you’re unsure who took it, start with the police non-emergency number (101). They can check the national vehicle recovery database and tell you whether it was seized by police or another agency. If not, contact the DVLA or your local council’s vehicle enforcement team. Acting quickly is crucial, as most authorities can dispose of unclaimed vehicles after a short statutory period.

Final note

Yes, there are several types of impound yards outside police control, including those run by the DVLA, local councils, and private contractors. Each authority follows its own process for storage, payment, and release. Identifying who holds the car before arranging insurance or visiting a pound avoids wasted trips, unnecessary costs, and delays in getting your vehicle back on the road.

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.