Finding your car gone — and hearing it was both clamped and impounded — can be a real shock. It usually means an enforcement authority has taken serious action, either because of unpaid penalties, no tax, or illegal use. The key is to find out who’s responsible and act fast. Storage fees build up daily, and delay can mean permanent loss of the vehicle.

1. Work out who took the car

Start by identifying which authority was involved. The paperwork or any sticker left on the ground or nearby will usually tell you. In the UK, a car may be clamped and then removed by:

• DVLA: for no vehicle tax or breaching a SORN declaration.
• Local council: for parking offences or unpaid penalty charge notices (PCNs).
• Police: for offences such as driving without insurance or obstruction.

If there’s no note or sticker, call the police non-emergency line (101) with your registration number. They can check the national recovery database and tell you whether the vehicle was removed by police, DVLA, or a council contractor.

2. Contact the relevant authority immediately

Once you know who seized it, contact that organisation or its contractor as soon as possible. They’ll confirm where the vehicle is stored and what steps you need to take. Pounds generally open during normal office hours, though some offer weekend appointments by arrangement.

• DVLA clamp or impound: visit gov.uk/vehicle-tax for payment details or to find your local compound.
• Local council: contact the council’s parking enforcement team — details are on the PCN or removal notice.
• Police pound: follow the guidance on gov.uk/vehicle-recovery to locate and recover a seized vehicle.

3. Gather your documents

All pounds require proof of identity and ownership before releasing a vehicle. Bring:

• your driving licence or passport,
• the V5C logbook or new keeper slip,
• valid insurance that covers release from an impound, and
• proof of tax or MOT if you intend to drive it away.

If you don’t have the V5C or insurance yet, most pounds allow a short window (often seven working days) to provide them. After that, the vehicle may be disposed of or scrapped.

4. Understand what you’ll need to pay

The amount depends on who clamped the car:

• DVLA: removal and storage fees, plus vehicle tax and possibly a surety deposit (refundable once taxed).
• Council: outstanding PCNs, removal and storage fees, and any further penalties for delay.
• Police: a statutory removal fee and daily storage, payable before release. This is separate from any fine for the offence itself.

Always ask for an itemised receipt showing what you’ve paid — you’ll need it if you appeal or claim reimbursement later.

5. Arrange suitable insurance

Police and DVLA pounds require proof of valid insurance before release. Standard policies often don’t include impound cover, so you may need a dedicated short-term impound policy. Make sure the certificate shows your name, the correct registration, and the words confirming impounded-vehicle cover.

6. Collect the vehicle promptly

Once everything’s in order, book a collection appointment. Bring printed copies of your insurance and proof of payment. Check the vehicle carefully before leaving — note any damage and take photos for your records. Storage charges continue until the car leaves the pound, so collecting it quickly can save a lot of money.

Final note

If your car’s been clamped and impounded, don’t ignore it or delay. Identify the authority, contact them straight away, and get your documents ready. With the right paperwork and insurance in place, most vehicles can be released within a day or two. Acting fast keeps costs down and prevents permanent loss of the car.

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.