What happens at a car impound?

Having your car clamped and then towed away is, at best, an inconvenience but can also lead to hefty fines and potentially even losing your car. Nobody wants to find themselves in this situation but if you do, you’ll want to know what to do to get your car back and avoid it being seized. 

There’s a whole legal process to go through but this can be a quick, albeit expensive, process. It’s important to stay calm and follow the government guidance if you want to reclaim your car.

If you’ve ever worried about what you’d have to do if your car was impounded, read on…

Why are vehicles impounded?

If you break any of the following, you could face your vehicle being impounded:

• Driving without valid insurance or tax. You must have motor insurance to drive your vehicle on UK roads.
• Illegal parking. If your vehicle is causing an obstruction or parked in a hazardous area, it can be seized by authorities.
• Dangerous driving. Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 gives police the power to ‘seize and remove the motor vehicle’ if it is used in a ‘manner causing alarm, distress or annoyance’.

Vehicles involved in crimes or abandoned after incidents (you’ll have seen parked cars in the middle of large roundabouts or on the side of the road with the ‘police aware’ signage) can also be impounded.

What happens when a car is impounded?

If you find your car impounded, you will receive a police seizure notice. This will explain the reasons why your car has been impounded and confirm the location of the vehicle. It is likely to be found at a secure impound lot, possibly near a police station.

How do I get my car back after it’s been impounded?

To retrieve your vehicle, you will have to fill in the relevant paperwork and provide the following: 

• Proof of identity (e.g. a driving licence or passport).
• Proof of ownership (V5C or vehicle registration logbook).
• Valid impound car insurance.
• Valid MOT certificate.

You must visit the designated impound within seven working days of the seizure notice.

Once at the impound lot, you must present the necessary documentation and pay any remaining fees.

If you are unable to collect your car in person, you can send someone else to collect the vehicle with a signed letter of authorisation, a copy of your ID and valid impound insurance which permits them to drive the vehicle.

How much does it cost to release a vehicle from impound?

You will have to pay a release fee. These tend to start at approximately £200 but this will vary depending on the vehicle’s weight and condition

Storage charges start at £20 per day. You might also have to hire a recovery service to transport your vehicle away from the impound lot if it isn’t roadworthy.

If you do not reclaim your vehicle within the time specified, it may be disposed of via scrapping or an auction.

How can I avoid my vehicle being impounded?

Although you may feel it’s unlikely your vehicle will be impounded, there is always a chance it could happen to you so it’s best to stay vigilant and ensure your vehicle adheres to legal standards.

• Ensure your vehicle has the right insurance and tax. If you don’t have insurance in place, you can either declare the vehicle as SORN and keep it off the roads. If you still need to drive it to get around, buy a new annual policy or get temporary car insurance as a short-term measure.
• Adhere to car parking rules and driving regulations. Only park in legal spaces and follow the rules of the road.

Getting a car out of impound is a costly and time-consuming process that you could do without. By driving and parking safely and making sure you have the right tax and impound insurance, you can keep your vehicle safe and on the road.