Road Traffic Act 1991

69Immobilisation of vehicles in parking places

(1)Where, in the case of a stationary vehicle in a designated parking place, a parking attendant has reason to believe that the vehicle has been permitted to remain at rest there in any of the circumstances specified in section 66(2) (a), (b) or (c) of this Act, he or another person acting under his direction may fix an immobilisation device to the vehicle.

(2)On any occasion when an immobilisation device is fixed to a vehicle in accordance with this section, the person fixing the device shall also fix to the vehicle a notice—

(a)indicating that such a device has been fixed to the vehicle and warning that no attempt should be made to drive it or otherwise put it in motion until it has been released from that device;

(b)specifying the steps to be taken in order to secure its release; and

(c)giving such other information as may be prescribed.

(3)A vehicle to which an immobilisation device has been fixed in accordance with this section may only be released from that device by or under the direction of a person authorised by the relevant authority to give such a direction.

(4)Subject to subsection (3) above, a vehicle to which an immobilisation device has been fixed in accordance with this section shall be released from that device on payment in any manner specified in the notice fixed to the vehicle under subsection (2) above of—

(a)the penalty charge payable in respect of the parking; and

(b)such charge in respect of the release as may be required by the relevant authority.

(5)A notice fixed to a vehicle in accordance with this section shall not be removed or interfered with except by or under the authority of—

(a)the owner, or person in charge, of the vehicle; or

(b)the relevant authority.

(6)A person contravening subsection (5) above shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.

(7)Any person who, without being authorised to do so in accordance with this section, removes or attempts to remove an immobilisation device fixed to a vehicle in accordance with this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(8)In this section “relevant authority” means the London authority for the place in which the vehicle in question was found.