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<p> </p><p>The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) may release vehicle keeper
details to parking enforcement companies if they can demonstrate reasonable cause
to receive it. To help ensure motorists are treated fairly when any parking charge
is pursued, vehicle keeper information is disclosed only to companies that are members
of an Accredited Trade Association (ATA). The ATA carries out stringent checks on
companies before allowing them to join and monitors compliance of their code of practice
that includes an independent appeals process. If a company fails to comply it can
be suspended or expelled, during which time no data will be provided to it by the
DVLA.</p><p> </p><p>Beyond that, parking on private land is essentially a private
contractual arrangement between the car park owner and the motorist. Any ongoing disputes
over unpaid parking charges would be pursued as civil matters through the relevant
courts. The Government would not be involved.</p><p> </p><p>However, the Government
has amended the Consumer Protection Regulations to make it simpler and clearer for
consumers to bring their own actions to seek compensation when they have been the
victims of misleading or aggressive debt collection practices. The new rights come
into force on the 1st October 2014 and apply to all types of debt collection including
parking on private land.</p>
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