The government is introducing new regulations to stop unscrupulous clamping companies.

New restrictions include capping the maximum amount clamping firms are able to charge with a new £35 ceiling, a ban on ‘double charging’ where companies make motorists pay for both the clamp removal and for towing a vehicle away as well as a requirement that signs are displayed clearly.

Clampers will also have to wait for a minimum of three hours before removing a vehicle.

The government is also planning to make it compulsory for companies to sign up to a recognised trade body and a code of practice.

Action is being taken on firms issuing parking tickets after taking digital photographs of vehicles parked on private land, with the government limiting access to the DVLA’s vehicle database to members of the British Parking Association only.

The changes will mean that disreputable companies are no longer able to rely on unfair practices and over-zealous enforcement, and it is predicted that firms which continue to act in this way will go out of business as a result.