Many drivers are caught out when they discover that vehicle pounds don’t always open at weekends. If your car’s been impounded on a Friday evening, you may have to wait until Monday to collect it. That delay can be frustrating, especially as daily storage charges still apply. Knowing how to prepare in advance can help you avoid extra costs and get the car released as soon as possible.

Why some pounds close at weekends

Police and local authorities often contract private recovery operators to run their compounds. Each has its own working hours, and while some open seven days a week, others close on Sundays or public holidays. Staff availability, security requirements, and local contracts usually determine the schedule.

In most areas, the pound will only release vehicles during standard working hours — typically between 9am and 5pm. Even if you manage to speak to someone by phone, weekend release is unlikely unless you’re dealing with a 24-hour operator authorised for emergency recoveries.

Storage fees still apply

Unfortunately, the clock doesn’t stop when the gates are shut. Storage charges continue to accumulate daily, including over weekends and bank holidays. That means if your car was seized on a Friday night and you can’t collect it until Monday morning, you’ll probably face two extra days of storage fees.

Those fees are fixed by regulation and must be paid before release. The pound itself doesn’t have discretion to waive them, even if closure prevented you from collecting sooner.

How to prepare while waiting

Even though you can’t collect the vehicle until reopening, you can use the time to get everything else ready. This includes:

• arranging valid impound insurance that covers the specific vehicle;
• gathering ID such as your driving licence and V5C logbook;
• confirming you can pay all fees by card or cash on the day;
• checking the pound’s website or phone line for its exact opening hours.

That way, you’ll be first in line when the pound reopens, reducing the chance of extra delay or further storage costs.

If you need urgent access

Some police-operated compounds have duty staff who can arrange emergency access outside normal hours — but this is rare. It’s usually limited to cases involving medical emergencies or where the vehicle is required for essential work. In all other circumstances, you’ll need to wait for the next official opening time.

If your car contains essential items such as medication or personal belongings, contact the local police station. They can sometimes authorise limited access to retrieve those items, though the car itself must remain impounded until reopening.

What happens if your deadline expires

If the pound’s closure means you miss part of your seven-day collection window, it won’t normally count against you. The time limit refers to working days, not calendar days, so weekends and bank holidays are usually excluded. Still, it’s best to confirm with the pound directly to avoid misunderstanding.

Final note

If the pound is closed on weekends, you’ll need to wait until it reopens — but use that time wisely. Get your insurance in place, check what ID and documents are required, and make sure you’re ready to pay all charges. Acting promptly when the gates reopen helps avoid extra storage fees and ensures your car is released smoothly on the next available working day.

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.