Car clamping raises fines collection rate as new arrangements bite

Fines dodgers have been warned of a higher risk of having their vehicles clamped as data sharing arrangements between Scottish courts and the DVLA make it easier to trace non-payers’ cars.

A new report released by Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service today reveals a rising collection rate for sheriff court fines imposed during the three-year period between 1 April 2014 and 31 March 2017, with 87% of fines either paid or on track to be paid, up 1% compared with 10 April 2018. Of JP court fines imposed from 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018, 80% by value has been paid or is on track to be paid by instalments.

An electronic interface between SCTS and the DVLA vehicle database has enhanced the ability to track down drivers with unpaid fines.

Case studies include a Glasgow fine dodger who for months had avoided paying a £200 fine for using an unlicensed vehicle, despite regular warning letters, but who paid up just an hour after his van was clamped – plus the £68 clamping charge; three drivers in Cumbernauld who settled a total of £800 after finding their vehicles clamped; and a man who was fined £250 for using his Mitsubishi ASX without a licence and paid only £25 before refusing to settle the balance, but who after a vehicle seizure order was issued at Glasgow JP court paid the outstanding £225 together with the clamping fee.

Drivers have to pay additional clamping costs and mounting daily fees if a car is taken into storage. Vehicles are ultimately scrapped or sold off if they do not settle their fines. 

Other enforcement measures available include freezing bank accounts, arresting wages, taking money directly from benefits and even arresting non-payers at airports. 

In all cases, offenders have opportunities to make payment of their fines at a reasonable and affordable instalment rate. All defaulters are issued warnings before action is taken. Those in genuine financial difficulty can engage with enforcement officers to discuss payment terms.

SCTS chief operations officer David Fraser commented: "The fines enforcement teams continue to be highly effective in securing unpaid fines – ignoring your fine and not speaking to an enforcement officer if you are having difficulty paying is very unwise. Failure to pay, or to engage with our officers, will result in strong sanctions being taken including arrestment of wages, bank accounts, your car being clamped or inconvenience and embarrassment by being arrested when travelling abroad."