Removing Clamp From Car? What You Need To Know

Has your car been clamped by the DVLA, and you’re not sure what to do next? This is the right article for you.

Every month, over 130,000 people visit our website seeking advice on fines and parking tickets, and the DVLA reports that over 11 million parking tickets were issued last year, which is up by 29% year on year!¹ You’re not the only one in this situation.

In this article, we’ll provide you with simple and straightforward advice on:

When your car can be clamped.
What you need to do if your car is clamped.
How long a bailiff can clamp your car.
What happens if you remove a wheel clamp yourself.
Your rights when your car is clamped.

While it might be tempting to remove the clamp yourself, this can lead to serious legal problems. So, before you do anything, read this article thoroughly.

We’re here to help you understand the rules and make the best decision for your situation.

Not sure what to write in your parking appeal?

You don’t need to start with a blank page.

We’ve created a free parking ticket appeal letter template that gives you a clear structure to follow.

Get my free appeal template

Free editable parking appeal letter template from MoneyNerd.

When can your car be clamped?

Your car cannot be clamped, blocked, or towed away when parked on private land unless the person has the lawful authority to do so.

Wheel clamping is part of parking enforcement carried out by lawful authorities.

A lawful authority could be:

The Police
DVLA
Local councils/authorities

All of the above have the power to clamp your car if it’s incorrectly parked (or untaxed) under the Vehicle Seizure Regulations.

DVLA car clamping rules include when cars are untaxed.

POPLA is working hard to address issues that cause unfair parking fees. Main issues are often with technology and third party ticket issuers.²

What are your rights?

You have the right to challenge a decision to clamp your vehicle.

Appealing a car clamp means establishing who clamped your vehicle.

I suggest you contact the telephone number on the wheel clamp and ask for it to be released.

Next, you should:

Take pictures of where your car is parked
Take pictures of the wheel clamp

These can be used as evidence if needed.

It is against the law for a private company to place a clamp on a vehicle on private land in Scotland.

If you find they have, I suggest you call the Police.

Janine, our financial expert, advises to formally appeal a parking ticket within 28 days of receipt, providing evidence such as a photo of your car’s registration number if the PCN is incorrect.

What’s Included in the Free Appeal Template

A clear structure

The template gives you a simple framework for putting your parking appeal together, so you don’t have to work out what to write from scratch.

What you’ll add

Your parking charge details
Why you’re appealing
Any relevant evidence
What you want the parking company to do

Easy to adapt

Just replace the sections in [square brackets] with the details of your own situation and edit the wording where needed.

You’ll get the template by email so you can save it, edit it and use it when you’re ready.

Get my free appeal template

Free parking appeal letter template from MoneyNerd.

How long before it’s unclamped?

According to the DVLA, the amount due should be settled within 24 hours.

A vehicle should typically be unclamped within 24 hours after this.

Can you remove the wheel clamp yourself?

No. It’s an offence to remove a wheel clamp under Section 68.1 of Schedule 12 (TCEA 2007).

You could be sent to prison or fined for removing the wheel clamp.

Note: Only a court can rule whether a bailiff acted legally or not when they clamp your car!

Feel more confident before you send your appeal

Writing a parking appeal can be difficult when you’re not sure what to include or how to structure it.

Our free template gives you a clear starting point, helping you:

Set out what happened clearly
Explain why you’re disputing the charge
Include the important details
Avoid starting from a blank page

Simply adapt the template to your own circumstances before sending it.

Get my free appeal template

Free parking appeal letter template from MoneyNerd.

What happens if you remove it?

An enforcement agent will inform the Police, who will try to find the vehicle using ANPR.

If the Police find the car, they will impound it.

Plus, you risk being arrested!

How long can a bailiff clamp your car for?

Once your car is clamped by a bailiff, you have 2 hours to pay what you owe.

After this, the bailiff can take your vehicle providing they follow the vehicle towing rules UK.

Note: Bailiffs cannot charge you a removal fee (sale stage fee) unless the 2 hours have elapsed (Regulation 18.5)

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Get legal support from JustAnswer

Is it illegal to clamp on private property?

The Protection of Freedoms Act rules that it is illegal to clamp or tow a motor vehicle away when it’s parked on private land.

That is unless there is lawful authority to do so!

I suggest you:

Check who clamped your car to establish whether it’s one of the car clamping companies
Make sure it’s not the Police or DVLA
Do not attempt to remove the wheel clamp yourself, which could lead to a prosecution

Next, contact the number on the wheel clamp and request it be removed.

Note: Landowners/parking operators can issue Parking Charge Notices, but they cannot clamp cars!