The Fines Collection Regulations 2004

Payment of the fine and any charge or charges and release of the vehicle

21.—(1) The office of the contractor where payment of the fine and charge or charges due may be made must be readily accessible from the place where the vehicle is clamped during all hours when the contractor undertakes clamping and for at least 2 hours thereafter.

(2) A vehicle in respect of which the fine and charge or charges due have been paid in full must be released from clamping or, as the case may be, storage within—

(a) 4 hours of the time of payment if payment is made at or to the contractor’s office or the court; or

(b) 2 hours of the time of payment if payment is made to an authorised person.

(3) Payment of, or towards the payment of, the fine and charge or charges due—

(a) if made at or to the office of the contractor must be accepted by cash, cheque (up to the amount specified on the payer’s debit card or cheque guarantee card) or credit card (up to the credit limit for which the card is valid); or

(b) if made to the authorised person, must be accepted by cash or cheque (up to the amount specified in the payer’s debit card or cheque guarantee card).

(4) If a payment made by P or a person acting on his behalf at any stage is less than the amount of the fine and charge or charges due, it must first be applied to meet the charge or charges and any balance remaining must then be applied towards payment of the fine.

(5) On payment by P or a person acting on his behalf of, or towards the payment of, the fine and charge or charges due, the contractor or the authorised person must issue a receipt which includes the following information—

(a) the contractor’s name, address and telephone number;

(b) the contractor’s value added tax registered number;

(c) the registration mark of the vehicle;

(d) the date of the clamping order requiring the vehicle to be clamped;

(e) the name, official address and telephone number of the fines officer and the court;

(f) if applicable, the date and time of clamping;

(g) the name of P and, if payment is made by a person acting on his behalf, of that person;

(h) the name or identification number or both of the member of the contractor’s staff issuing the receipt;

(i) the amount of the payment;

(j) the date and time of payment;

(k) how to complain under regulation 25;

(l) if applicable, the place where the vehicle is clamped; and

(m) the serial number of the receipt.