Car parking

[Katy739]

I have a large car and have always been advised to park it between 2 car parking spaces to avoid difficulty in getting in and out of the vehicle and to prevent the same problem for drivers parked beside me. I was parked this way outside a well known supermarket and have received a fine through the post. In the photograph it is clear that I am not parked close to the supermarket and the carpark is very quiet and I wondered if you could tell me if it is a legal requirement to park within the lines in a car park as I thought these were courtesy lines? Also, how did this private company obtain my personal details in order to send me this letter?

[Mrs Y]

You were probably in breach of the parking regulations for that particular car park, as generally the regulations are one bay = one car. If the car park was that empty, would it not have been possible for you to park fully within a bay at the end of a row?

Regardless of whether the car park was busy or not, if everyone used up two spaces instead of one there would be substantially less spaces available.

The company will have got your details through their CCTV system, which records the number plates of everyone using their car park.

My advice? Pay the fine and buy a smaller car.

[a-hen-86]

yeah its legal unfortunately, if one wheel is on the line and not between the lines then they can legally fine you.

you will probably find they will say you were parked as an obstruction on a carpark.

i would contest it but explain what you had been told x

[sandmaster]

The DVLA will have supplied your details to the company operating the car park franchise. Many believe this is a breach of the data protection act but no one seems interested in contesting this.

[a-hen-86]

good point sand master, DVLA shouldnt divulge your details, as it could be any random company eg rouge traders, personal experience tells me that you dont want to be dealing with rouge traders. who is the car park owned by?

[Milvus]

You can always spot a rouge trader a mile off. They have bright red cheeks!
Now rogue traders, you need to watch out for them

[Panic Button]

DVLA will divulge the information to anyone who has a 'legitimate' need for it - and car parking enforcement is considered such.

Most car parks will have it as one of the terms and conditions that you to park only in a legitimate bay. I suggest in future you park correctly, but in the furthest place possible from the supermarket, so it is unlikely someone will park next to you.

[paraffin]

Why not invite whoever "advised" you to park it in this way to pay your fine for you? I'm sure s/he wouldnt mind!

[Gadget004]

You can be fined for parking outside of your bay or beingover the line. They have your registration details and confirm your address with the dvla database.