Wheel Clampers

A Code of Conduct agreed in April 2006 means that wheel clampers are no longer allowed to charge exorbitant release fees.

Over 500,000 motorists are clamped on private land each year and charged up to £750 to recover their vehicles. Under the rules, drawn up by the British Parking Association, wheel clamps are to be removed within two hours of payment and the fee must not exceed £125. Vehicles should only be removed under "very special circumstances" and the maximum penalty for recovery from a pound should be £250, with a storage fee of up to £35 a day.

When a vehicle is clamped and removed, drivers who contact the clamping company within three hours cannot be charged both a release fee and a recovery fee. The company must take a picture of the vehicle, proving that a warning sign was visible.

Cars used by health workers on call who display a badge should not be clamped. Companies that repeatedly contravene the code may be ejected from the association and stand to lose contracts. The Code has been adopted by 20 companies, including Excel Parking, Euro Car Parks, Apcoa, Vinci Park and Stone Security. Between them, they cover most of the supermarket and hospital car parks where clamping takes place. However, many small operators have not signed up.

Anyone who clamps a vehicle or demands release fees from drivers also has to be licensed by the Security Industry Authority. However, the authority does not set rules on fees, signs or evidence. Clamping on private land is not allowed in Scotland.

If you are wheel clamped, you should find out the name of the company who clamped your vehicle and check out if they have adopted the code of conduct and ensure they have abided by it. If they have not, you may be able to avoid the wheel clamping release fee, or recover it from them later. Of course this may well involve instructing a lawyer and going to court.

Of course there will still be rogue wheel clamping companies who are unlicensed and or have not signed up to the code of conduct. If you find this is the case. your first step should be to contact the police.

Final advice for those who want to avoid being clamped ... don't park on someone else's land!