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Proof of identity
Pounds normally ask for formal photo identification from the person collecting the vehicle. A photocard driving licence is the most commonly accepted document. If you do not have one, other official photo ID may be accepted, but pounds often prefer a driving licence because it confirms both identity and driving entitlement in one document.
Proof that you are the registered keeper
To release a vehicle by road, pounds usually require the registered keeper to attend in person. The standard document used to confirm this is the V5C registration certificate. If you have recently bought the vehicle and the V5C is still being processed, a pound may accept the green new keeper slip together with a bill of sale or invoice, but this varies by site and is never guaranteed without checking first.
Valid insurance suitable for impound release
If the vehicle is to be driven away, insurance must be active at the exact moment of collection and must be suitable for impounded-vehicle release. Standard short-term policies do not cover seized vehicles, so pounds usually expect to see a specialist policy that begins at a thirty-day term. The certificate must show the correct registration number, start date and driver details. If someone else is collecting the vehicle on your behalf with a properly authorised arrangement, their insurance must also meet the same standard.
Valid MOT if required
If the vehicle needs an MOT, the pound will expect it to be either MOT-exempt or roadworthy with a valid certificate. Driving directly to a pre-booked MOT test is normally allowed in law, but pounds often apply their own checks before releasing the vehicle. Some insist on evidence of the booking. Others require suitable insurance, tax arrangements and proof that the vehicle is capable of being driven safely. These steps exist because the pound is responsible for ensuring the release does not breach road-traffic rules.
Vehicle tax or arrangements for untaxed vehicles
If the vehicle is untaxed, you are usually expected to tax it before release or, in some cases, provide evidence of arrangements that satisfy the local pound’s rules. Some pounds ask for a deposit to cover unpaid tax before allowing the vehicle to leave by road. Requirements differ between authorities, so confirming this in advance avoids delays at the desk.
Payment method for statutory fees
Release and storage fees must be settled in full before the vehicle leaves the pound. Most sites accept card payments, although some restrict which cards they take. These fees include the statutory removal charge, daily storage and any additional sums that apply to that specific enforcement case. Without payment, the vehicle cannot be released.
If someone else is collecting the vehicle
Pounds are cautious about releasing a vehicle to a third party. Even with a permission letter, the pound normally completes its own checks on the person collecting the car. Identification is required, and insurance suitable for impound release must be in place for whoever will be driving the vehicle away. Some pounds refuse third-party collection unless specific verification steps are completed, particularly where ownership or insurance details are not straightforward.
Bringing these requirements together
Most releases come down to a few essentials: strong photo ID, proof you are the registered keeper, suitable impound-release insurance, MOT arrangements that meet legal requirements, tax that is either valid or handled according to local rules, and full payment of fees. Pounds follow strict procedures, so having every document ready before you travel normally results in the quickest and cleanest release.
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.