Once your car has been released from impound, it’s crucial to check that the Motor Insurance Database (MID) shows it as insured. Police and DVLA systems rely on the MID to verify cover, and if your details don’t appear, the car could be seized again even though you’ve paid for a valid policy. Updating the record doesn’t mean editing it yourself — the insurer handles that part — but you can take a few steps to make sure it’s done promptly and correctly.

How the MID gets updated

The MID is maintained by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) and updated directly by insurance companies. When you buy a policy, the insurer submits your vehicle registration and policy details electronically. The system then refreshes every 24 to 48 hours, so your registration should appear soon after the policy is activated. You can’t manually update the database yourself, but you can confirm the upload by checking your policy certificate and contacting the insurer if it’s delayed.

When to check the record

After leaving the pound, wait at least one full working day before checking your status on the official site at ownvehicle.askmid.com. If your car doesn’t yet appear as insured, don’t panic — short-term and impound policies sometimes take longer to register. Try again the following day before taking further steps.

What to do if your car still isn’t showing

If 48 hours have passed and your car still isn’t listed, contact the insurer or broker that arranged the policy. Ask them to confirm that your registration number was entered correctly and that the upload has been sent to the MID. Common reasons for delays include:

• typos in the registration number;
• the insurer’s next scheduled upload not yet taking place;
• or a mismatch between the policyholder’s details and the vehicle record.

If there’s a mistake, the insurer can re-submit the data to the MID, usually resolving the issue within a day or two.

Driving before the database updates

You can legally drive your car immediately after release as long as your policy is active and you have a valid certificate. The law requires you to be insured — not for the database to be instantly updated. However, if you’re stopped by police before the record appears on the MID, it helps to carry a copy of your certificate to show that your cover is genuine and current.

Switching to a long-term policy

If you arranged a short-term impound policy, consider switching to a regular annual policy once the car is back home. The new insurer will automatically update the MID, and you’ll avoid gaps in cover when the short-term policy expires. Just make sure the transition happens smoothly so the car doesn’t appear uninsured between policies.

Verifying the update

Once the insurer confirms the upload, check the record again on AskMID. The site will show the vehicle as “currently insured” if everything has gone through successfully. Keep a screenshot or printout for your records — especially if you had previous issues with police checks or roadside scans.

Final note

You don’t personally update the MID; your insurer does. The key is to make sure the information they send is accurate and that you confirm it’s appeared. A quick follow-up check after a day or two ensures your car remains compliant and helps prevent any repeat of the impound experience.

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.