Car Insurance

Drivers who previously did not have insurance could now face having their car clamped for their past offences. UK drivers who fail to pay their parking fines could face having their vehicles clamped or removed under new government proposals. A Department of Transport working group is reported to be considering the new system, which will target cars belonging to drivers with three or more fines outstanding as soon as they are spotted. The ministerial working group is drawing up new guidelines for parking enforcement. Drivers with penalties outstanding for parking offences, driving in bus lanes, minor traffic infringements or failing to pay the congestion charge will face clamping. Local authorities

will poll information on a national database under the proposed scheme, so that vehicles could be clamped anywhere in the country. Drivers' groups have warned that thousands of drivers would unfairly be clamped due to flaws in records or by purchasing a car that has a history of offences. There are an estimated 100,000 drivers across the UK with three or more outstanding tickets. A Department for Transport spokesman told the BBC: "Drivers who continually flout parking rules are often those that are driving without insurance, driving without tax, driving cars that have not been registered with the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Agency, or travelling in unroadworthy vehicles. The department is considering how best to tackle those who persistently ignore the regulations."