Car Impounded? Here’s Exactly What to Do
Most UK impounds happen under Section 165A of the Road Traffic Act — the police seize a vehicle driven without valid insurance or a proper licence. The pound charges a statutory removal fee (typically £192 for a car) plus storage of roughly £26 per day, and can dispose of uncollected vehicles after as little as 14 days from the seizure notice.
How to release your car — 4 steps
- Find the seizure notice — it names the pound holding your car and the deadline to collect it.
- Get impound release insurance — standard policies exclude pound releases; specialist cover is issued the same day with the certificate pounds ask for.
- Gather your documents — photo ID, V5C logbook or new-keeper slip, a valid driving licence, and your insurance certificate.
- Pay the pound’s fees and collect the car — go the same day you’re insured, every extra day adds storage charges.
How much does it cost to get a car out of an impound in the UK?
Expect a statutory removal fee (typically £192 for a car), storage charges of roughly £26 per day, plus valid insurance that covers release from a pound. Costs rise every day the vehicle stays in storage.
How long do I have before an impounded car is disposed of?
Pounds can dispose of (auction or scrap) uncollected vehicles after as little as 14 days from the notice date, so act quickly.
Can I use my normal insurance to release an impounded car?
Usually not. Most standard and temporary policies exclude release from a police pound. You need specialist impound release insurance that explicitly covers collection from the compound.
What documents do I need to release my car from the pound?
Photo ID, proof of ownership (V5C logbook or new-keeper slip), a valid driving licence, your impound release insurance certificate, and payment for the pound’s fees.
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