Or ring ☎ 0161 388 2552 (office hours)
Why a company van may be impounded
Police can seize a vehicle for several reasons, and company vans are treated no differently from private cars. Typical triggers include findings of no insurance in force, doubts about licence entitlement, dangerous mechanical condition, or a collision where the van cannot be driven safely. Sometimes the seizure relates to an administrative issue rather than wrongdoing. Whatever the reason, once the van reaches a pound the rules become very structured, and the organisation responsible for the vehicle must act quickly.
Confirm which pound has the van
The driver is normally issued a seizure notice at the roadside. This slip shows the pound’s address, reference number and the earliest date the van can be claimed. If the notice is missing, or if another employee needs to take over the retrieval process, the company can contact 101 with the registration number to identify the correct pound. Vans are always taken to authorised storage sites, so there will be a traceable record.
Establish who is legally entitled to collect it
This is where company vehicles differ from private ones. Pounds usually require the registered keeper to attend in person unless the pound’s procedures allow a representative to collect the vehicle using written authority. If the business is the registered keeper, an authorised staff member must bring paperwork that shows both their identity and their link to the company. Some pounds also ask for evidence such as a letter on headed paper confirming that the employee is collecting on behalf of the organisation. If the driver who was stopped is not the person retrieving the van, a clear, signed authority letter helps avoid delays.
Sorting out suitable insurance before attending
Insurance checks are strict. A company van cannot be released until the pound sees a policy that permits lawful road use immediately. The insurer must confirm that the driver collecting the van is covered to drive it. If the van runs on a fleet policy, the certificate must match the organisation’s details and clearly include cover for the driver attending the pound.
If the existing policy is suspended or unclear, the company may need to arrange a new annual policy or a temporary impound-release policy in the name of the person collecting the van. Start times matter. A certificate that begins later the same day will normally be refused. The insurer’s wording must also be clear enough that the pound can see the van is insured for release.
Documents the pound will expect
Companies should gather paperwork before travelling. Pounds typically ask for:
- Photo ID for the person collecting the van
- Authority from the company if the collector is not the director or registered keeper
- The V5C or a valid new keeper slip in the company’s name
- The insurance certificate covering the authorised driver
- The seizure notice issued at the roadside
- Payment for removal and daily storage charges
If the wrong person attends or the documents are incomplete, the pound will not release the van.
Check whether the van can be driven away
Even with insurance and authority, driving away is not guaranteed. Vans involved in collisions or found with dangerous defects may not be considered roadworthy. If the pound or police officer believes the van is unsafe, they can insist on collection by a specialist vehicle recovery company. A recovery operator uses its own transporter and insurance, so the company does not need a driving policy for this stage.
If the van has no MOT, it can usually be driven directly to a pre-booked MOT appointment, provided it is safe. Proof of the booking is required. If the tax has expired because the MOT lapsed, the pound may request a deposit covering the tax before release.
Understand how fees are paid and who is responsible
Removal and storage charges follow national tariffs. Storage accrues from the day the van enters the pound. In the workplace, the question of who pays often depends on company policy. Many employers treat impound fees as a business cost only if the company itself is at fault, such as a paperwork error or a fleet-policy lapse. If the seizure relates to a driver’s conduct, some businesses seek reimbursement from the employee. The pound does not involve itself in internal responsibility. It will release the van only once the full charges are settled at the counter.
Deadlines for claiming the van
Police pounds apply strict time limits. The company must claim the van within a short period, often around a week. After that, the authority can start the disposal process. Collection usually needs to happen within roughly two weeks from seizure. If no one attends, the van may be auctioned or scrapped depending on its condition. Once disposal is underway, reversing it is extremely difficult.
Checks to make before leaving the pound
Before driving away, the collector should inspect the van. Look for leaks, flat tyres, new warning lights or damage from standing idle. Vans can deteriorate during storage, particularly after a crash or mechanical defect. If anything appears unsafe or unknown, arrange recovery rather than risk another roadside incident.
A clear route through the company process
Recovering a company van from a police pound means confirming where it is, establishing who has authority to collect it, arranging insurance that the pound accepts and attending with the right documents. Once the fees are paid and the van is considered safe, the authority will release it. Acting quickly and ensuring the correct staff member attends usually keeps the process straightforward and avoids unnecessary costs.
Impound processes, time limits and costs vary widely across the UK, and authorities can amend their rules at any time. Information on this site is intended as a general overview and should not be relied on as definitive for any specific impound location.