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How pounds approach EU licence holders
When a vehicle is seized in the UK, the pound’s priority is confirming identity, lawful control of the vehicle and whether the insurance certificate presented actually supports release. A Dutch licence is normally valid for driving in Britain for a set period, but the pound does not decide whether that licence can be used for insurance. That decision sits entirely with the insurer.
The pound’s role is simpler: they check that your ID matches their records, confirm that the registered keeper has come forward and look at whether the insurance certificate clearly supports release of a seized vehicle. If anything does not fit, they usually pause the process until it is resolved.
Why normal temporary insurance rarely works
Standard temporary cover is not designed for impound release. Most short-term policies exclude seized vehicles and do not allow release from police or council custody. Even where the insurer accepts EU licences for everyday driving, they may still decline cover in impound situations.
This is why only a limited number of specialist insurers normally provide policies that support release, and many of them decide eligibility based on who the registered keeper is, how long the licence has been held and whether the driver’s details can be verified quickly.
Driving the car away on a Dutch licence
If you intend to drive the vehicle away yourself, the insurer must confirm that:
- they accept your Dutch licence for impound-release cover,
- the certificate is valid for UK use, and
- the policy clearly covers the specific vehicle for release.
Pound staff may also ask for proof that your Dutch licence is still within its permitted UK validity period. If the licence is valid but the insurer will not issue cover, the pound normally cannot allow you to drive the car away, even if everything else is in order.
If the vehicle is not registered in your name
For many visiting drivers, this becomes the deciding factor. Insurers who issue impound-compatible cover often require the policyholder to be the registered keeper, or at least the person who has day-to-day control of the vehicle.
If the car is borrowed, hired informally or shared, insurers may decline cover in your name. In that situation, the registered keeper usually has to arrange the insurance. Pounds often insist the keeper attends in person, particularly when the driver is a visitor from overseas.
What happens if the car has no MOT or tax
If your car has no MOT, some pounds usually allow a direct drive to a pre booked test, but only when the insurer confirms the journey is covered and you can show the booking on arrival. Others insist on recovery instead, especially if the MOT has been expired for a long period.
If the vehicle is untaxed, some pounds ask for a tax deposit before allowing a road release. Others decline driving entirely and allow recovery only. Temporary insurance does not replace vehicle tax, so tax rules must still be met, even for visitors.
When a recovery truck becomes the practical option
If the insurer will not issue a policy in your name, or the pound is not satisfied that the intended journey is lawful, a recovery truck normally becomes the simplest route. Pounds usually allow release to a professional operator once the registered keeper has been identified and all fees have been paid.
This avoids the insurance and MOT conditions that apply to driving away. The vehicle can then be taken to a safe location where taxation, repairs or MOT arrangements can be handled without time pressure.
A realistic plan for Dutch licence holders
Start by confirming that your Dutch licence is within its permitted UK validity period. Then contact the pound to ask what they usually require from EU visitors. After that, speak to a specialist insurer to see whether they accept a Dutch licence for impound-release cover.
If insurance in your name is refused, the registered keeper may need to take out the policy, or recovery may be the only workable option. Once the vehicle is out of the pound, any further insurance needed for normal use can be arranged more easily.
Bringing the situation under control
The key challenge for visitors is aligning the insurer’s requirements with the pound’s rules and the UK’s driving regulations. With early checks, clear identification and a realistic removal plan, the process is usually manageable, even when the insurance options for EU licence holders are limited.
Act promptly, gather the right documents and clarify the pound’s expectations before travelling. This usually keeps the release process on track and avoids missing the statutory deadlines.
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.