Every vehicle registered in the United Kingdom (UK) must be taxed if used or kept on a public road. If the vehicle is kept off-road it must either be taxed or have a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) in force. If not it could be wheel clamped or removed (impounded).

NSL Services Ltd are the National Wheelclamping Contractor on behalf of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to enforce against non-compliant vehicles.

How to purchase vehicle tax or make a SORN

• Online by visiting www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax or www.gov.uk/make-a-sorn.
• On the telephone by calling 0300 123 4321 (24-hour service).
• At a Post Office® branch that deals with vehicle licensing.

Release Fees

If your vehicle has been wheel clamped or removed (impounded) because it is non-compliant you will need to purchase vehicle tax and then make a payment of the relevant release fees. These are outlined below.

You must pay a surety fee (deposit) if you do not tax the vehicle before you get it released. The surety fee (deposit) will also need to be paid if you intend to keep the vehicle on SORN or make a SORN.

RELEASE FEES
​Release fee (from clamp)	​Release:£100
​Release fee within 24 hours of offence (from vehicle pound)	​Release: £100
​Release fee after 24 hours from offence (from vehicle pound)	​Release: £200
	Storage: £21 per day
SURETY FEE
VEHICLE TYPE	SURETY FEE
​Motorcycles, light passenger and light goods vehicles	​£160
​Buses, recovery, haulage and goods vehicles	​£330
​Exceptional loads and heavy goods vehicles such as a large lorry or bus	​​£700

Surety Fee Refund

If you pay a surety fee (deposit) as part of your release payment from a clamp or vehicle pound, you may be able to claim a refund of this fee. Important: in order to obtain a refund of the surety fee you must purchase new vehicle tax and confirm this to an adviser by calling 0343 224 1999 and selecting option 2.

This must be confirmed within 15 days of the vehicle’s release, including the day of release (day 1). If you do not contact us within this 15 day period you will lose the surety fee. This period is set in legislation and cannot be changed.

Please note: only valid vehicle tax entitles you to claim a refund of the surety fee (deposit). If your vehicle is to remain on SORN or if you intend to make a SORN following the vehicle’s release, you will lose the surety fee.

Releasing your vehicle from a clamp

Before you make payment to release your vehicle from a clamp you must purchase new vehicle tax or pay a surety fee (deposit) as part of your release payment. Please see ‘Release Fees’ for details on the amount you need to pay.

Please ensure you have your (DN) Enforcement Notice Number (8 digit number on the reverse of the INF32 leaflet placed on your vehicle), vehicle registration mark and a valid credit/debit card.

Payment for the release of your vehicle from a clamp can be made:

• Online by following this link 'Pay for Release'

• - Please note: our 24-hour online payment system only has the facility to accept a release payment including the relevant surety fee.

• On the telephone by calling 0343 224 1999

• - Please note: if you have purchased new vehicle tax, please select option 2 and speak an adviser to confirm this. Once this has been confirmed you will be required to pay a £100.00 release fee.

Releasing your vehicle from a vehicle pound

You cannot use the online system to make payment for the release of your vehicle from a vehicle pound.

You will need to make the release payment at the vehicle pound where your vehicle is located.

Before you make payment to release your vehicle from a vehicle pound you must purchase new vehicle tax or pay a surety fee (deposit) as part of your release payment. Please see ‘Release Fees’ for details on the amount you need to pay.

Please contact 0343 224 1999 and select option 2 to speak with an adviser to find out the location of your vehicle.

Vehicle pound locations can be found here: 'Pound Locations'

After your vehicle has been released

Once you have released your vehicle from a clamp or vehicle pound, if your vehicle is not covered by valid vehicle tax or on SORN and parked in line with SORN requirements, it could be immobilised again after 24 hours have elapsed.

• If it is currently clamped, it will be impounded to a vehicle pound any time after 24 hours.
• If the vehicle is currently impounded and not claimed, it could be disposed (dismantled, auctioned or scrapped).

Will any further action be taken?

• DVLA may contact you to claim any unpaid vehicle tax arrears from the date it was last taxed. You may also face prosecution with fines up to £1,000.