4d • General discussion
Questioning DVLA
I have long been concerned about the practice whereby the DVLA releases registered keeper data, based on vehicle registration numbers, to private parking companies.
As I understand it, this system effectively allows any company that is a member of the British Parking Association (BPA) to claim that a vehicle was parked on private land and to pursue a private parking charge on that basis. In practical terms, BPA membership appears to grant such companies access to DVLA data and, consequently, the ability to issue parking charges that carry an appearance of legal legitimacy.
My concern is that the DVLA does not appear to verify whether these companies are operating lawfully in practice. In particular, it is unclear why the DVLA does not check whether parking signage is correctly positioned, clearly visible, compliant with relevant regulations, or sufficient to form a valid contractual agreement with motorists.
Given that the existence, clarity, and legality of signage is fundamental to any alleged parking contract, the absence of verification raises serious questions about how “reasonable cause” is assessed before personal data is released. Without such checks, there is a clear risk that vehicle keeper data is being disclosed to companies whose signage, land authority, or contractual practices may be defective or unlawful.
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Questioning DVLA
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