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The document pounds expect to see
The clearest proof that you are the registered keeper is the V5C registration certificate. Pounds normally rely on this document because it matches your name and address to the vehicle on DVLA records. It is the most reliable form of evidence and the one staff are trained to check first.
If the V5C is not available
Some situations make the V5C hard to produce, for example after a recent purchase or when a keeper has moved home. Pounds may accept alternatives, but only if they can confirm the details independently. These options are not guaranteed and depend on local procedures.
- Green new keeper slip (V5C/2): Accepted by some pounds if the purchase was very recent. It usually needs to be supported by a dated bill of sale or invoice with the buyer’s details.
- Official DVLA confirmation: If a V5C has been lost and the keeper has already applied for a replacement, some pounds may verify this through their own checks. This varies, so it should be confirmed before attending.
- Trade or motor-dealer paperwork: If the vehicle has just changed hands through a dealer, a pound may ask for the dealer invoice plus the new keeper slip, but only if the details are consistent and the pound can confirm them.
What pounds do not usually accept
Documents that simply show you use the car, such as insurance certificates, fuel receipts or finance statements, do not prove registered-keeper status. Pounds normally base their release decisions on DVLA records rather than general ownership or possession.
When the keeper cannot attend in person
The registered keeper is usually expected to attend personally. A permission letter on its own is rarely accepted. Pounds need to confirm identity, match the documentation and complete internal checks before release. If someone else is attending, the pound will normally need additional verification and may refuse release entirely unless everything aligns with their procedures.
Putting it all together
The V5C remains the primary proof of registered-keeper status. The green slip with strong supporting paperwork can sometimes be enough, but only where the pound can confirm the details. If the keeper cannot produce suitable documentation, the pound may delay or refuse release until the correct proof is provided, so checking what your specific pound accepts before travelling is always the safest approach.
Impound processes, time limits and costs vary widely across the UK, and authorities can amend their rules at any time. Information on this site is intended as a general overview and should not be relied on as definitive for any specific impound location.