Release Your Impounded Vehicle The Same Day

Not by law. To release a seized vehicle, you have to show a valid certificate of insurance covering your use of it, along with a valid licence, and pay the charges. This release policy runs for 30 days, so check with the pound holding your vehicle that it accepts it before you buy.

As of October 2026. Source: legislation.gov.uk: Seized Motor Vehicles Regulations 2005, regulation 5.

The price of the 30-day policy depends on your age, location, vehicle and driving history, and you'll see it before you buy. The police charges are separate. For a car or van up to 3.5 tonnes in England, Wales or Scotland, removal costs £192 if it was on the road, upright and not substantially damaged (up to £384 otherwise), plus £26 a day in storage. These rates have applied since 6 April 2023.

As of October 2026. Source: legislation.gov.uk: Removal, Storage and Disposal of Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Regulations 2023.

Impound release insurance has narrow eligibility, but pending IN10 cases following the seizure itself are usually accepted, and existing licence points or convictions can often be considered. For most other motoring convictions, including unspent serious convictions, you’ll need convicted driver insurance once your impound policy ends; our guide to cover after a motoring conviction explains how insurers treat them.

A 30-day, third-party-only policy designed to give you the valid insurance certificate the pound asks to see. It covers driving the vehicle home from the pound under social, domestic and pleasure use only. It does not cover commuting or business use, accidental damage to your own vehicle, fire or theft of your own vehicle, or driving abroad. Comprehensive cover is not available - if you want fully-comp once the car is home, take out a separate annual or short-term policy.

As of October 2026. Source: legislation.gov.uk: Seized Motor Vehicles Regulations 2005, regulation 5.

Cover starts the moment you pay and your certificate is emailed straight away. Most drivers print the certificate from the confirmation email and head straight to the pound, so same-day release is normal as long as you have all your documents. Pounds will usually turn collection attempts away if a single document is missing - check the docs list above before you set off.

You can still get an impound release policy if you are not the registered keeper, but the pound will usually need extra evidence that you are authorised to collect the vehicle: typically a signed letter from the registered keeper plus their photo ID. Phone the pound before you set off to confirm what they accept - rules vary slightly between forces.

Impound release policies are designed for a one-off use - they are usually non-refundable once purchased, even if you do not need the full 30 days. Make sure you are happy with all the policy details before you pay. The full terms and any cancellation clauses are set out in the policy wording you receive on purchase.

Under section 165A of the Road Traffic Act 1988, a uniformed police officer can seize a vehicle if they reasonably believe it was driven without insurance or a proper licence and the driver doesn't produce proof when asked, or if the driver fails to stop. Driving without insurance can also mean a £300 fixed penalty and 6 points.

As of October 2026. Source: legislation.gov.uk: Road Traffic Act 1988, section 165A, GOV.UK: Driving without insurance.

Some specialist insurers may offer impound release cover, including for drivers with a pending no insurance charge, and you may be able to get a quote for a 30-day release policy via the Clean Green Cars site. Each insurer sets its own terms, so some may decline you and prices may differ.

You will be taken to GoShorty to complete a few questions about the vehicle and your driving history, then shown a price for a 30-day impound release policy. If you are happy, you pay on the GoShorty site. Cover starts the moment you pay and your certificate of insurance is emailed straight away.