car has been clamped- can i remove clamp

[soicowboy]

my car has been clamped outside my door,i sent away my insurance and registration form last week but dvla havent recieved it yet...anyway the clampers were out this morning and clamped my car,tomorrow they will take it to compound 70 miles away !! can i remove the clamp/lock on the clamp with an angle grinder,is it illegal...and secondly i have the recorded delivery reciept from last week of proof that i sent away for tax,if i prove i applied for the tax last week 5 days ago should the clamping firm give me back my car without me having to make a payment...

[mrs_overall]

Try posting this Q in Motoring or Law for a quicker answer.

[Postdog]

No is the simple answer.

You MAY have grace regarding payment for removal, but whatever, you remove it and there will be a big price to pay.

If you were over a month without tax, you defo won't get any grace.

[andy-hughes]

Unfortunately, proof of postage does not infer proof of payment in law. If your car is parked on the road without an appropriate tax disc, it can be clamped, towed, and eventually crushed if not claimed and taxed correctly.

If the clampers have put an appropriate notice on your car - and I am sure they will have - confirming who has clamped it and why, then yes, it is illegal to remove the clamp, and will simply add to your legal and financial woes.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, hope you get it sorted.

[sonic81]

this only works with certain types of clamps.let all the air out of your tire so its completely flat.if the front of the wheel is not covered take the wheel off. it should slip off the clamp due to it shrinking with no air in it.as long as you dont damage the clamp u might be ok just move your car to another street.if u cant get to the wheel nuts because of the clamp get a couple of mates to block your car in so these ******** cant take your car.if all fails just cut it of and deny all knowledge its your word against theres.good luck

[maxi2]

You can remove the clamp quite legally as long as you don't damage it. As has been suggested, this normally involves deflating the tyre or even cutting it off, buy this will still be the cheaper option.

Boxing the car in will not stop them lifting it out, you need to chain it down to something fixed like a drain and take photos of this so you can prove the damage caused if they try and remove it.

Nevertheless, if the car IS legal there shouldn't be an issue with these *******.