DVLA to ban parking firms sending fines to drivers in the post in huge change

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The DVLA will block 'rogue' parking firms from driver's data if they fail to obey a new set of rules. Under major new changes, the UK Government announced it will be cracking down on parking firms who fine drivers £100 or more due to unfair charges.

Fines will be slashed meaning motorists won't be charged more than £50 and a new appeals process will be brought in.A code of conduct will also be introduced that all parking firms must sign up to.This includes a ten-minute grace period before a late fine can be issued, and a requirement for parking firms to clearly display pricing and terms and conditions.Rogue firms which break these rules could be barred from requesting Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) data, making them unable to pursue motorists for their charges through the post.The major new proposals are aimed to target firms hiding behind "non-specific, pseudo-legal and aggressive language when pursuing motorists".

It will also give drivers more protection when they accidentally put in the wrong number plate. Parking enforcers also won't be able to put more excess fees onto any parking fines.The measures will be a major boost to millions of motorists in England, Scotland and Wales and will help to draw people back to their local high streets by eliminating the fear of being unfairly caught out.Minister for Levelling Up Neil O'Brien MP said: "Private firms issue roughly 22,000 parking tickets every day, often adopting a system of misleading and confusing signage, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees designed to extort money from motorists."The new Code Of Practice will set out a clear vision with the interests of safe motorists at its heart, while cracking down on the worst offenders who put