• Business

    Four million drivers face up to £70 fine after DVLA hands over their details

    AnyFans Posted on

    By James Rodger

    Copyright birminghammail

    Four million drivers face up to £70 fine after DVLA hands over their details

    Drivers are waking up to £70 fines from private parking firms – after 180 companies bought vehicle keeper records from the DVLA. Motorists and road users are being stung for £70 by private firms dishing out penalty charge notices, or PCNs. Both the AA and other roadside recovery groups, like the RAC, have spoken out over the trend. Steve Gooding, director of motoring research charity the RAC Foundation, said : “The profit margins revealed by the Government help explain why there are now more than 180 private parking firms buying vehicle keeper records from the DVLA so they can send demands to drivers – it’s a huge and profitable business. “The private parking industry’s failure over time to be more open about its activities is part of the problem and its ongoing reluctance to open its books to official scrutiny shows why ministers must follow through with plans to bring transparency and independence to this sector.” READ MORE 10 most reliable and unreliable cars in UK – and it’s bad news for millions Recent analysis by the RAC Foundation found 4.3 million tickets were issued by private companies to UK drivers between April and June. Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, said: “The 63% profit margin feels disproportionately high for the services provided. This only highlights the need to curb the sector and ensure balance for all. “There remains an overzealous cohort among some private parking operators where they hand over cases to debt recovery firms for seemingly innocuous charges.” The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said the figure indicates there is a “market failure.” The Labour Party government said: “This Government inherited a private parking market that lacks transparency and protection for motorists. “We share their frustration, which is why our private parking code of practice will drive up standards in the industry and hold parking operators to account. “We consulted on the current cap on debt recovery fees and will publish our response as soon as possible.”