Can You Get Your Impounded Car Back If You’re Banned from Driving?

Getting your car impounded? Not great.

Getting it impounded because you were caught driving whilst banned? Now we’re talking next-level disaster.

At this point, you’re probably wondering: Can I just turn up with my paperwork, smile nicely, and get my car back? Spoiler alert: It’s not that easy.

A driving ban doesn’t just mean you can’t drive; it also makes getting insurance (which you might need to release the vehicle) a nightmare. But don’t lose hope just yet. There are still ways to get your car back; legally.

Why Is Insurance a Problem If You’re Banned?

Here’s the problem: most insurers won’t touch you with a ten-foot pole if you’re currently banned from driving.

To them, no valid licence = massive risk. And insurance companies? They hate risk.

So if you were hoping to just call up an insurer, get a quick policy, and stroll into the impound lot like nothing happened… bad news. Getting impounded car insurance in your name whilst your ban is still active is nearly impossible.

But don’t panic just yet; there are ways around this.

Can You Insure an Impounded Car If You’re Banned?

Insurance companies assess risk like their lives depend on it (which, to be fair, they do). A driving ban is one of the biggest red flags they look for.

But, depending on your situation, you might still have options:

• Your Licence Status – Still banned? Yes… most insurers won’t go near you. End of story.
• Alternative Drivers – If someone else (who is legally allowed to drive) can step in, they might be able to insure the car and collect it for you.
• Transferring Ownership – If no insurer will cover the car under your name, you might need to transfer ownership to someone who can get insured before the vehicle can be released.

Moral of the story? If you’re banned, your best bet is usually finding someone else to take over.

What If Someone Else Collects the Car?

If you can’t legally drive, you’ll need a Plan B to get your car back. The good news? You can have someone else collect it; but (of course) there are a few hoops to jump through.

Here are your options:

• Find an Insurer That Allows Another Driver – Some policies let an additional driver insure the car just for impound release, but these can be tricky to find.
• Transfer Ownership – If you can’t get insured, changing the registered keeper might be necessary. This means updating the V5C logbook and officially handing over ownership.
• Use a Recovery Service – No insurance? No problem; well, except for the towing fee. You can hire a licensed recovery truck to transport the car instead. No driving required, just a bit of cash.

Are There Any Other Requirements?

Even if you do manage to sort out the insurance problem, you’re not out of the woods just yet. Your car still has to be road legal before you can drive it away.

That means:

• Road Tax – If it’s expired, renew it before you even think about driving off.
• MOT – No valid MOT? The only place you’re legally allowed to drive is straight to a pre-booked MOT test. No detours, no quick stops for snacks.

If you can’t sort these out before collection, a recovery truck is your best bet; unless you fancy another run-in with the law.

What Happens If You Don’t Act Fast?

Thinking about putting this off? Bad idea.

Here’s what could happen if you delay:

• Storage Fees Add Up – Every day your car sits in the impound, you’re paying for it. And trust me, those fees aren’t cheap.
• Your Car Could Be Scrapped or Auctioned – If you don’t collect it in time, your vehicle could be sold or destroyed; and once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.
• You Might Still Owe Money – Even if the car is scrapped, you could still be stuck with unpaid storage fees.

Best advice? Don’t wait. Figure out a plan and get your car back before things get even messier.

What’s the Next Step?

If your car has been impounded because of a driving ban, you probably need to act fast. The sooner you explore insurance options or alternative collection methods, the better.

Need help? Want more info or a quote? Phone the number below; we’ll help you figure it out.

⚠ Important Reminder: You have seven working days from the date on your seizure notice to visit the police pound and collect your vehicle. Miss the deadline? It could be gone forever.