Government to curb clamping companies

Under new government plans, curbs are to be placed upon the activities of parking companies who will become subject to strict new limits on the penalties and fees they are able to charge.

The firms, who under existing rules need to be licensed, will be required to display prominent signs setting out the rules applying to parking on private land. In addition the companies will have to:

• release clamped vehicles promptly,
• set up an appeals procedure, and
• act reasonably at all times in their dealings with drivers.

To prevent companies from exploiting the system, the DVLA is to ordered only to give drivers’ details to those companies who agree to abide by a code of practice.
In addition, the parking companies:

• are to be subject to strict new limits on the penalties and fees they can charge,
• may not demand payment in cash,
• must allow drivers to recover their vehicles “at all reasonable times”, and
• must ensure that the maximum time between payment and release of vehicle is two hours.

Jonathan Wright, partner with Richard Nelson Solicitors said:

“Most drivers are sick and tired of the parking companies – especially the rogue ones who exploit the system and prey upon those motorists who are most vulnerable. It is high time that the regulations which govern them were either tightened up or the practice abolished completely. Clamping is illegal in Scotland – perhaps it should be illegal in England and Wales as well.”

Dated: 30 March 2009