Do I Need to Tax My Vehicle Before Releasing It from Impound?

So, you've jumped through all the hoops; sorted the insurance, gathered your paperwork, and mentally prepared yourself for whatever eye-watering fee the impound lot is about to hit you with. Feels like you're nearly there, would you say? But hold up; have you checked if your car is taxed?

Because if it's not, you might be in for an unpleasant surprise when you turn up at the pound. No tax? No release. Simple as that.

Sure, there are a few exceptions, but in most cases, they're not handing over your keys unless your car is fully taxed and road-legal.

How to Check and Tax Your Car (Before It's Too Late)

Not sure if your car is taxed? No stress; it's easy to check, and even easier to sort out (in most cases). Here's what you may need to do:

• Check your tax status. The DVLA has a handy online tool that tells you in seconds whether your car is taxed. No guesswork; just a quick click, and you'll know where you stand.
• Pay online if needed. If your car isn't taxed, you can usually sort it online in minutes. No need for a stressful trip to the post office (unless you love standing in slow-moving queues).
• Get your documents ready. You might need your V5C logbook or a new keeper slip to tax the vehicle; so don't leave home without them. The last thing you want is to turn up, only to be sent straight back for missing paperwork.

What If You Can't Tax the Vehicle?

Checked your tax status, and; great; your car isn't taxed, and for whatever reason, you can't get it done right away. Now what? Don't panic; there are still a few ways to get your car back:

• Use a vehicle recovery service. If you can't tax the car and you're not legally allowed to drive it, a tow truck or vehicle transporter can do the job for you. Not the cheapest solution, but at least you'll get your car out.
• Pay a deposit at the pound. Some impound lots allow you to pay a refundable deposit in place of proof of tax. But not all of them, so call ahead; don't just assume.
• Transfer ownership. If someone else is reclaiming the car, they might need to tax it under their name before they can drive it away. Not ideal, but sometimes necessary.

Act Fast; Or Pay the Price

If you take one thing from this, let it be this: do not sit around hoping the problem will fix itself.

The longer your car sits in the pound, the higher the storage fees climb. And if you wait too long? Your car could be auctioned off or scrapped before you've even had a chance to sort it out.

You've got seven working days from the date on your seizure notice to get this handled. Miss that deadline, and your small problem turns into a massive one (with a much bigger bill).

Need impound insurance? Not sure what to do next? Phone the number below; they'll help you sort it before those fees start stacking up.