Getting your car out of the impound lot might feel like a win, but hold off on the victory lap; you're not in the clear just yet. Just because your car is officially released doesn't mean you can jump in, rev the engine, and drive off like nothing happened. There are a few legal loose ends to tie up first, and if you ignore them, you could end up right back where you started; minus even more money.

Is Your Insurance Actually Valid?

First things first: do you actually have the right insurance to drive away?

A lot of people assume that as long as they're insured, they're good to go. Unfortunately, that's not always how it works. Many standard insurance policies don't cover impounded vehicles, so if you're not careful, you could be breaking the law the second you roll out of the lot. And after everything you've already gone through, the last thing you may need is another run-in with the authorities.

If your current insurance won't be up to spec, you'll need a specialist impound policy. It's worth checking before you get to the pound; because the only thing worse than dealing with impound fees is realising, at the last second, that you still can't drive your car home.

Can Someone Else Pick Up the Car for You?

Maybe you're stuck at work, out of town, or just can't be bothered with the hassle. Can you send a friend or family member to collect the car for you?

In most cases, no.

Most insurers require the person collecting the car to be the registered keeper. That means if someone else is picking it up, they may actually need to take legal ownership first. And yes, that involves updating the DVLA records before they even attempt to get the car released.

Your best move? Call the impound lot first. Rules can vary depending on the location, and the last thing you want is for someone to show up, only to be turned away because the paperwork isn't in order.

Is Your MOT and Road Tax Up to Date?

Even if your insurance is sorted, you still can't legally drive away unless your MOT and road tax are in check.

• MOT expired? You can only drive the car to a pre-booked MOT appointment. No detours. No “quick errands.” Straight there.
• Road tax overdue? If your car was declared SORN (off the road) or its tax has expired, you must sort it out before driving. In some cases, you can pay the tax online before collection, but always check first.

What If You Can't Drive It Away?

If your car isn't legally roadworthy, don't even think about taking the risk. You do have other options:

• Hire a recovery truck – A professional towing service can transport your car home legally without any of the stress.
• Sort the MOT and tax before collection – If possible, handle everything in advance so you can drive away without worry.
• Transfer ownership – If someone else is taking responsibility for the car, get the paperwork sorted before they attempt to collect it.

What Happens If You Ignore These Rules?

Short answer? Nothing good.

Driving without valid insurance, MOT, or road tax could land you with:

• Fines
• Penalty points on your licence
• Another impoundment (Yes, really.)

And if your car gets seized again? Let's just say the authorities won't be quite as patient the second time around; expect even higher fees and a much harder time getting it released.

After everything you've already been through, wouldn't it be nice not to go through it all over again?

Final Steps Before You Leave

Before you even think about pulling out of that impound lot, double-check:

• Your insurance covers you to drive away.
• Your road tax is sorted and up to date.
• Your MOT is valid (or you have a pre-booked test).

If you can't tick all those boxes, don't risk it. Get a recovery truck or sort everything out first; it could be a lot cheaper than getting impounded again.

Need help figuring out your insurance? Get a quote now or phone the number below.

And one last thing; you've only got seven working days from the date on your seizure notice to collect your car.

Miss that deadline, and it could be auctioned off or scrapped. For good.

Don't let that happen; get it sorted today.