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Understanding how pounds treat overseas drivers
When a visitor from Canada ends up dealing with a seized vehicle, the main issue is whether an insurer is willing to issue a UK-recognised policy for release. Pounds normally accept only certificates issued by insurers authorised for UK use, and the document has to support the release of an impounded vehicle. A Canadian motor insurance policy, even one that includes international cover, is not usually accepted for this purpose.
Your Canadian licence is normally valid for driving in the UK for a limited period, but insurers still decide whether they are willing to cover a vehicle connected to an impound. The pound will rely entirely on the insurer’s confirmation rather than assumptions about international driving rights.
Why a regular temporary policy is not enough
Most temporary UK insurance products exclude impounded vehicles. Even if the vehicle is roadworthy, insurers generally do not treat international visitors in the same way as UK residents, particularly where a seized vehicle is involved.
This is why only a small group of specialist providers normally offer impound-compatible cover, and many of them require the policyholder to be the registered keeper. If you are visiting and the car is not registered to you, that restriction becomes the main obstacle. In many cases, the keeper must arrange the policy in their own name.
Driving away with a foreign licence
If you hope to drive the vehicle away yourself, the insurer must accept your Canadian licence, and the pound must agree that the licence is valid for the intended journey. Both checks matter. Even if the insurer issues a policy, staff may still want proof that your licence is within the permitted UK validity period.
Some pounds take a cautious view and prefer the registered keeper to collect the car in person if the driver is a short-term visitor. Procedures vary, so speaking to staff before travelling avoids misunderstandings at the gate.
Insurance when the vehicle still needs an MOT or tax
If the car has no MOT, some pounds usually allow a direct drive to a pre booked test, but only when insurance is in place and the booking can be shown. Others insist on recovery instead, particularly when the MOT has expired for a long time or there are known defects.
Tax rules complicate things further. Some pounds ask for a tax deposit when an untaxed vehicle is being driven to an MOT station. Temporary cover does not replace taxation, so you may find that a road release is not possible even if you hold a valid Canadian licence and can arrange insurance.
When recovery is the only practical option
If insurers decline to issue a policy in your name, or the pound is not satisfied that you can legally drive the vehicle on UK roads, a recovery truck becomes the fallback option. Pounds normally allow release to a recovery operator once the registered keeper has been identified and the fees have been paid.
This approach sidesteps the insurance and MOT rules that apply to road use. The vehicle can be taken to a safe location, and any repairs, MOT arrangements or tax issues can be handled away from the pound.
If the vehicle isn’t registered to you
For visiting drivers, this is often the deciding factor. Insurers that offer impound-compatible cover usually require the policyholder to be the registered keeper, or at least someone with provable day-to-day control of the vehicle. A visitor borrowing a friend’s car may not meet that requirement.
In these situations, the keeper normally has to take out the policy themselves, then attend the pound with identification. If they cannot attend, the pound may apply tighter checks or refuse third-party collection until the keeper confirms their identity directly.
A realistic plan for Canadian visitors
Start by confirming whether your licence is still within its permitted UK validity period, then contact the pound to ask how they usually handle overseas drivers. After that, speak to an insurer that offers impound-compatible cover and ask whether they accept a Canadian licence for the purpose of release.
If insurance in your name is not possible, arrange for the registered keeper to handle the policy, or plan for release by recovery. Once the car is off the site, any further insurance needed for normal road use can be arranged in a more straightforward way.
Bringing the situation under control
For Canadian visitors, the key challenge is proving both licence validity and insurability. Pounds rely on documents rather than assumptions, and insurers follow their own eligibility rules. With early checks, clear identification and a realistic plan for removal, you can usually secure release without unnecessary delays.
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.