DVLA sells driver records to private parking firms

Figures obtained by 5 live show a big increase in the number of driver records that the DVLA is selling to private parking firms.

More than £1.4m was paid by private companies over three months this year for access to personal information - a 20% rise on the same time last year.

Patrick Troy, chief executive of the British Parking Association, claimed that the scheme is helping people make sure their land is not parked on without permission.

However Paul Watters from the AA told BBC Radio 5 live's Breakfast, "If they're going to issue tickets by post using DVLA data... they should tell us what the ground rules are about these tickets and how they are enforced."

The DVLA said, "We take our responsibility to protect information seriously. That is why information is only provided under strict controls to parking firms who meet the standards set by an appropriate Accredited Trade Association... We do not make a profit on this service - the fee merely covers the cost of processing the applications."