ok so this is from the DVLA
Thank you for your correspondence of 12th March about the release of information
from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s (DVLA) vehicle register. I have been
asked to formally review your case at Step 1 of our complaints procedure.
The DVLA takes the protection and security of its data very seriously and has
procedures in place to ensure data is disclosed only where it is lawful and fair to do
so and where the provisions of the Data Protection Law are met. The Agency must
strike a balance between ensuring the privacy of motorists is respected while
enabling those who may have suffered loss or damage to seek redress.
Drivers choosing to park a vehicle on private land do so subject to the terms and
conditions set out on signage in the car park. The need to contact individuals who
may not have complied with these conditions is, in most circumstances, considered
to be a reasonable cause. Data is provided by the DVLA to enable landowners or
their agents to pursue their legal rights and to address disputes. I hope you can
appreciate that if this were not the case, motorists would be able to park with
disregard for the conditions applying with little prospect of being held accountable.
I have investigated the matter with UK Parking Control Ltd who made the request to
the DVLA for the registered keeper details for Vehicle Registration Number (VRN)
xxxxxx. I have had sight of their supporting evidence to show that they had
reasonable cause to make their request. The vehicle was recorded on 7th January by
ANPR camera entering and leaving the site with the duration of the visit being 2
hours 34 minutes. The Parking Charge Notice (PCN) was issued to you as you
exceeded the maximum stay of 1 hour, this was issued to you on the 10th January
and a final reminder was sent on 24th January. The PCN was unpaid and was
therefore passed to debt recovery on 7th February. UK Parking Control Ltd have
confirmed that an appeal was not received within the 28 day required timescale.
To help ensure motorists are treated fairly when any private parking charge is
pursued the DVLA discloses vehicle keeper information only to companies that are
members of an appropriate Accredited Trade Association (ATA). The purpose of
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requiring a company to be a member of an ATA is to ensure that those who request
DVLA information are legitimate companies that operate within a code of practice
that promotes fair treatment of the motorist and ensures that there is a clear set of
standards for operators.
The company in question, UK Parking Control Ltd, are a member of the British
Parking Association (BPA) which is an Accredited Trade Association for the parking
industry. The BPA’s code of practice is published on its website at
under the heading “Approved Operators Scheme”. If
a member of this scheme does not comply with the code of practice, it may be
suspended or expelled, during which time no data will be provided to it by the
DVLA. If you feel that any of the practices used by the company do not comply with
the BPA’s code of practice, you may wish to contact the BPA via email at
or by post at Chelsea
House, 8-14 The Broadway, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 3AH.
We have fully considered all the information available. If you feel that your complaint
has not been resolved, you can request escalation of your complaint to Step 2 of the
complaints process. Further options about our complaint procedure can be found
online at
www.gov.uk/dvla/complaints.
