Chelmsford driver accuses DVLA over fees-for-details scheme

Barry Beavis is fighting a parking fine imposed after he went on a shopping trip

A driver challenging an £85 parking charge has branded the DVLA's selling of motorist details to private parking firms, "extremely concerning".

Barry Beavis, of Chelmsford, made his comments after it emerged the taxpayer-funded DVLA lost money selling the data, last year.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency says it only sells driver details to "accredited" private companies.

But, Mr Beavis said it showed the DVLA has a "cosy relationship" with firms.

A freedom of information request from BBC Inside Out revealed supplying the data cost the DVLA £7m in 2013/2014 - £300,000 more than the £6.7m it took in fee income from the companies.

The DVLA, which provided data to private parking firms on more than 2.6m occasions last year, said the "shortfall" was the result of its "fluctuating costs", which includes staffing, IT, overheads and development.

By law, private operators are not allowed to issue fines - but they can charge motorists who overstay the allowed time in a car park.

The DVLA said vehicle keeper information was only disclosed to private car parking companies which were members of an accredited trade association

These charges are meant to cover the loss suffered by the parking company, rather than being a penalty.

The DVLA sells details of registered keepers for £2.50 per request.

Mr Beavis was sent a charge letter from Parking Eye after he overstayed a two-hour limit at Riverside Retail Park car park in Chelmsford in April 2013.

He contested the initial £85 charge and his case is about to go to the Court of Appeal.

He said there should be greater regulation of firms able to buy the private data of motorists.

"It is an extremely concerning situation," he said.

Private operators cannot issue fines but can charge motorists who overstay the allowed time in a car park

Mr Beavis said parking companies might be accredited but were not regulated which, he claimed, raised issues as to whether a government agency should be providing them with private data.

But a DVLA spokesman said: "We take our responsibility to protect information seriously.

"Vehicle keeper information is only disclosed to private car parking companies that are members of an accredited trade association.

"If it is brought to our attention that a company does not meet the necessary standards, we will investigate. If the allegations are proven we will stop the release of keeper information to them."

Parking Eye would not be interviewed but did say it conformed to the code of practice set out by the parking industry body, the British Parking Association.

It said the charge sought from drivers were "not punitive" but "set on the basis of a strong commercial justification for charges of this nature".

• Inside Out will be broadcast on BBC One in the east of England at 19:30 GMT and available on iPlayer afterwards.