New DVLA 'ban' could spark the end of £2,000 private parking fines

A prohibition connected backstage parking firms utilizing DVLA information whitethorn beryllium the lone mode to halt drivers being slapped with unfair charges of up to £2,000, a Labour adjacent has suggested

Private parking firms could soon find themselves 'banned' from accessing DVLA databases for slapping unfair fines connected UK motorists, arsenic portion of a important overhaul of the rules.

This comes successful the aftermath of Labour’s Lord Speller raising the question successful the Lords astir whether these businesses should beryllium "cut off" from entree to systems to shield drivers from exorbitant fines. During a House of Lords treatment connected authorities regularisation of car parking companies and their imposition of fees connected drivers, determination was a statement connected the request for stricter oversight.

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, Lords Minister for Housing and Local Government, assured her chap peers that they're exploring "all imaginable ways to springiness motorists the champion extortion and support." She declared: "We privation to onslaught a equilibrium betwixt ensuring that parking charges and indebtedness betterment fees are astatine a tenable level and allowing parking operators to negociate car parks effectively.

"We are readying to motorboat a consultation - I americium not going to accidental "in owed course"-during this year, which volition see options for capping charges and indebtedness betterment fees."

However, Labour's Lord Spelan took things further and advocated for a afloat prohibition connected firms getting entree to information until they complied with the rules. He said: "Does she judge that the industry's concern exemplary depends connected entree to the Government's DVLA database?

"Unless companies are prepared to co-operate, should they not beryllium chopped disconnected from entree to that system? That whitethorn alternatively get their attraction and co-operation." Motorists are being deed with hefty fines, immoderate reaching a staggering £2,000, for insignificant parking mistakes, specified arsenic taking implicit 5 minutes to wage astatine a meter.

The British Parking Association (BPA) and International Parking Community (IPC) person vowed to clamp down connected these issues by tightening regulations successful their caller backstage parking Code of Conduct, reports the Express.

Despite this, an earlier Government authorities targeting backstage parking has not yet been implemented, with a consultation anticipated to commencement soon. Rhydian Jones, a car security specializer astatine Confused.com, insists "more needs to beryllium done" to shield drivers from escalating charges.

He added: "Last year, a caller codification of behaviour was brought successful to marque rules astir backstage parking tickets fairer for drivers, including reduced fees and a much relaxed entreaty system.

"However, it seems that the DVLA mightiness instrumentality this 1 measurement further, by preventing backstage parking companies from having entree to their database successful bid to administer fines to drivers."