Clamp removing

[chassyp]

Can I remove a clamp on my van?? Also, will I still have to pay a release fee?? I understand I should not damage it, and I wont. It does mean cutting through the wishbone to release it, but I don't mind that at all. I have been running 2 cars for 35 years and always run them legally. Owing to a loss in the family, and my good wife having a mid life birthday, I forgot on this occasion. Life is a bitch some times I guess.

[Toureman]

The clampers will of course have a record of your number plate and location and as the DVLA will give your address details out to make money they will also have the address of who ever is the registered keeper of the vehicle..

You will have to read the paperwork the clampers left with your vehicle, if it only says "removal fee is ���" then surely you have saved them the work to do this so they cannot charge you as long as you have not damaged the clamp.

Seems a bit drastic though, good luck with it.

[BillyBB]

In the UK
The Police and DVLA clamps must not be removed by law. Any private clamp can be removed but not damaged in any way.
You MUST return it to the owners or it becomes theft. The generally approved way is to hand it in as lost property to the local Police Station. I took one to my next job 60 miles away! Leave the contact details or tell them where it is yourself.
One colleague undid a clamp then locked it back around a lamppost. He added his own padlock and tried to demand a release fee. They called it quits and must of cut off his lock.

[CharlesW]

Clamping a vehicle is the same as forcing you to pay a forfeiture. The English Bill of Rights (still on the statute books) states that you have "Freedom from fine and forfeiture without a trial", thereby making vehicle clamping illegal. [insert smile here]