Yes — a friend or family member can often collect an impounded vehicle, but it isn’t as simple as handing over the keys. The pound and the authority that authorised the seizure must be satisfied that the person collecting has the legal right to do so. That means paperwork, proof of identity and, crucially, valid insurance for the journey away from the pound.

Who the pound will usually release a car to

Pounds typically release a vehicle to the registered keeper, a named driver on the V5C, or someone who holds written authority from the keeper or owner. That might be a friend, partner, family member or an employee. The person collecting must be able to show they represent the keeper and must carry photographic ID. A simple phone call from the keeper to the pound sometimes helps, but most sites prefer a written authorisation on headed paper or a signed letter.

Essential paperwork to bring

Turn up with everything in order and the visit will be far less stressful. The usual documents that speed the process are:

• photo ID for the collector (driving licence or passport);
• a signed authorisation letter from the registered keeper, dated and naming the collector;
• the vehicle registration document (V5C) or proof linking the car to the keeper;
• proof of insurance that covers the vehicle for release;
• any seizure or reference number shown on the paperwork left at the scene.

Without those items, staff at the pound can refuse to release the vehicle. That’s not personal — it’s a legal safeguard to stop vehicles leaving with the wrong people.

Insurance: the single most important requirement

Pounds expect to see a certificate showing valid insurance that specifically covers collection from a pound. A standard policy may be fine if it explicitly includes impound release, but many temporary or ad-hoc policies are not acceptable. The certificate should match the vehicle registration and show the insurer’s name clearly.

If the collector is not the policyholder, the insurer must allow driving by that person. A broker or insurer’s confirmation by email or a printed insurer letter can help, but the safest approach is to have the insurance in the name of the person who will drive the car away, or to ensure the policy permits that named driver.

Special situations and practical complications

Several common complications crop up.

• If the vehicle is company-owned, the collector will usually need a company authorisation letter on headed paper and proof that the collector represents the business.
• If the keeper lives abroad, a notarised letter or extra identity checks may be required.
• Where the car is on finance or lease, the finance company may need to confirm authority before release; otherwise the pound may refuse to hand over the vehicle.
• If the seizure was for unpaid fines or involvement in an ongoing investigation, there may be additional legal hurdles before release can be arranged.

Giving the pound a call before travelling saves wasted journeys. It’s surprising how often missing a single document leads to an unnecessary return trip.

How to prepare the person collecting the car

Tell the collector to arrive early, park sensibly and be patient. Staff are used to dealing with stressed callers, and politeness helps. Ask the keeper to prepare a short authorisation letter including the vehicle registration, keeper name, collector name, and a telephone number where the keeper can be reached for verification. The letter should be signed and dated.

It’s sensible for the collector to print the insurance certificate and to bring a digital copy on a phone as backup. If the pound needs further confirmation from the insurer, having the insurer’s phone number to hand speeds things up. Also, make sure the collector’s driving licence is valid for the vehicle type (for example, some vans need different entitlements).

What happens if the pound refuses to release the vehicle

If the pound declines to hand over the car, staff should explain precisely why and what is needed to resolve the issue. If the refusal seems unreasonable, note the name of the person dealing with the case and ask for a written explanation. Complaints can then be directed to the authority that authorised the impound or to the recovery contractor. That said, most refusals are down to missing paperwork or unclear insurance, and fixing those two elements usually clears the problem.

Practical checklist before sending someone to collect the vehicle

To avoid extra storage days and added expense, complete this short checklist first:

• Confirm who authorised the impound and ask for any reference numbers.
• Get a signed authorisation letter from the registered keeper.
• Buy or confirm an insurance policy that explicitly covers impound release and the named driver.
• Ensure the collector has valid photo ID and a driving licence showing the correct entitlements.
• Phone the pound to check opening times and any local rules about collection.

That small amount of preparation often saves several hours and unnecessary expense.

Final practical note

Yes, a friend or family member can collect a car, but only when the pound has clear proof of authority and the driver has acceptable insurance. Taking a calm, methodical approach cuts through the stress: gather documents, confirm insurance, and phone ahead. With those steps complete, the vehicle can usually be released quickly and legally, and the whole ordeal becomes a lot easier to manage.

Check here for more useful information about impounded cars!

Please note: impound rules, collection windows and fee structures are set locally and can change at any time. Details on this site offer a broad outline only and are not guaranteed to match the requirements of any individual pound or authority.