Clamping and towing on private land
Since 1 October 2012 it has been a criminal offence in England and Wales to clamp a vehicle, tow it away or block it in on private land without lawful authority (Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, section 54). Before then, private clamping firms could clamp cars and demand large release fees. Private car park operators now enforce their terms with parking charges instead.
What the law bans
It is an offence, without lawful authority, to:
- fit a clamp or any other immobilising device to a vehicle, or
- move a vehicle, or stop it being moved, by any means, for example by towing it away or blocking it in,
intending to stop the person entitled to take the vehicle away from doing so.
A sign saying "clamping in operation" does not make clamping lawful. Even if the driver agreed to the car park's terms, that agreement is not lawful authority. The offence is punished with a fine, and there is no upper limit.
Fixed barriers
There is one exception. A fixed barrier that was already there when the vehicle was parked can be used to keep it in, for example a car park barrier that only lifts once you have paid. The driver is treated as having agreed to it, even if the barrier was open when they drove in. The barrier, or the signs about it, must have been clear enough for the driver to know it was there.
A landowner may also carefully move a vehicle, at their own risk and cost, if the only aim is to get access to their own land, not to stop the owner taking the vehicle away.
Who can still clamp or tow
Only people with a specific legal power can clamp or remove vehicles. They include:
- councils and the police, under road traffic law, on the streets and in council car parks (see clamping and towing by councils). The police can also remove vehicles from private land, but are expected to do so only when a vehicle is parked dangerously or is causing an obstruction, not to enforce parking rules;
- the DVLA, which can clamp or remove untaxed vehicles;
- enforcement agents (bailiffs), who can clamp or take a vehicle to recover a debt;
- some places with their own Acts of Parliament or byelaws, such as some airports, ports and harbours, river crossings and common land.
Anyone with one of these powers can employ a private company to do the work. The terms on the signs of an ordinary private car park do not by themselves give such a power.
Railway stations since 26 December 2025
Until 2025 the national railway byelaws let station operators clamp vehicles in station car parks. Since 26 December 2025 they cannot do so in England and Wales. Breaking the parking terms at a station is now dealt with like any other private car park: the operator issues a parking charge and can pursue the registered keeper under the keeper rules.
Station operators can still remove and store a vehicle that is causing an obstruction, or when that is needed to deal with an emergency, to let maintenance be carried out or to keep the railway running safely (Railway Byelaws Amendment Order 2025). The change covers stations under the national railway byelaws; Transport for London and Merseyrail have byelaws of their own.
If you are clamped or towed on private land
- Find out who did it. If your vehicle is missing, check whether the police or the council removed it: contact the police on 101, or the council if you were parked on a council street or in a council car park.
- If a private company clamped, blocked in or towed your vehicle without lawful authority, report it to the police. It is a crime and a matter for the police. Call 999 if you feel threatened.
- Do not damage or try to remove a clamp yourself.
- Keep evidence: photos of the clamp or the empty space, the signs, any notice left on the vehicle and the people involved, and a receipt if you paid to get your vehicle back. Get legal advice about recovering money you paid.
If you were clamped or towed by someone with lawful authority, such as a council, follow the instructions on the notice. You can usually challenge the charges afterwards.
This page covers England and Wales. The law on clamping is different in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
This page was checked against the law in England and Wales on 22 October 2026. It is general guidance, not legal advice: see the legal disclaimer.