There could soon be a new crackdown on private parking firms (Image: Getty)
Private firms could be “banned” from accessing to motorists as part of a major rules shake-up.
Labour spokesperson Lord Speller questioned whether businesses should be “cut off” from systems to
Officials are also set to look into capping charges and debt recovery fees while also cracking down on unfair treatment.
It came after a on how the Government intends to regulate car parking companies and charges slapped on motorists.
Lords Minister for Housing and Local Government, Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, stressed politicians were looking at “all possible ways to give motorists the best protection and support”.
Motorists have been charged thousands of pounds for silly mistakes (Image: Getty)
She added: “We want to strike a balance between ensuring that parking charges and debt recovery fees are at a reasonable level and allowing parking operators to manage car parks effectively.
“We are planning to launch a consultation – I am not going to say “in due course”-during this year, which will include options for capping charges and debt recovery fees.”
However, Labour’s Lord Spelan took things further and advocated for a full ban on firms getting access to data until they complied with the rules.
He said: “Does she accept that the industry’s business model depends on access to the Government’s DVLA database?
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“Unless companies are prepared to co-operate, should they not be cut off from access to that system? That may rather get their attention and co-operation.”
Drivers have been slapped with thousands of pounds worth of fees for making simple parking errors.
Some drivers have even been hit with whopping £2,000 fines for taking more than five minutes to pay for parking at a meter.
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However, a former Government legislation on private parking is yet to come into force with a consultation expected to launch in the near future.
Rhydian Jones, motor expert at car insurance said “more needs to be done” to protect drivers from soaring costs.
He added: “Last year, a new code of conduct was brought in to make rules around private parking tickets fairer for drivers, including reduced fees and a more relaxed appeal system.
“However, it seems that the DVLA might take this one step further, by preventing private parking companies from having access to their database in order to distribute fines to drivers.”