In many cases, yes — you may be able to get your impounded car back the same day, but only if everything is in order. Pounds are strict about paperwork, payment, and insurance verification, so even small mistakes can delay collection. Acting quickly and arriving prepared makes all the difference between driving home today or facing another night’s storage charges.

What must be ready before you go

Same-day release is only possible if you have every required document. You’ll need:

• photo ID such as a passport or driving licence,
• the V5C logbook or new keeper slip proving entitlement,
• a valid insurance certificate that specifically covers impound release, and
• payment for the release and storage fees.

The insurance must already be active — not starting later in the day or the following morning. Pound staff check the policy details against the Motor Insurance Database (MID), and if it doesn’t appear there yet, you’ll need printed proof directly from the insurer or broker.

Timing and opening hours

Most police and local-authority pounds open during normal working hours, often from 8 am to 5 pm. Some have weekend or late-evening sessions, while others close early on Saturdays. If you arrive outside these hours, the car will stay another night, and additional storage charges will apply. It’s best to call the pound first to confirm their hours and the documents they expect.

When same-day release isn’t possible

Delays usually happen when:

• the insurance certificate is rejected or not visible on the MID,
• the car has no valid MOT or tax,
• the vehicle isn’t roadworthy, or
• ownership details don’t match the documents provided.

If the vehicle can’t legally be driven away, you’ll need to book a recovery truck instead. Some impounds insist on this for untaxed or MOT-expired cars, even if you only intend to drive straight home.

How to speed things up

To maximise your chance of same-day release:

• Arrange impound insurance early in the morning — that gives time for the policy to appear on the database.
• Print every document, including the insurance certificate and V5C, rather than relying on a phone screen.
• Call ahead to confirm that the pound has located your vehicle and that no extra permissions are needed for release.
• Take a payment card that matches your name, as some sites won’t accept cash or third-party payments.

Practical example

If your car was seized early in the morning for no insurance, you could theoretically take out valid impound cover, print the certificate, and collect the vehicle the same afternoon. However, if the insurance takes time to upload to the MID or you can’t reach the pound before closing, release will have to wait until the next working day — and storage fees will increase.

Final note

Getting an impounded car back on the same day is possible, but only with the correct insurance, documents, and timing. Make sure the policy explicitly covers impound release, double-check that the pound is open, and have payment ready. Even a short delay can mean another day’s charges, so organisation and quick action really do save money.

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.