Clamping and vehicle removal

Clamping vehicles

We will usually put clamps on vehicles that are not parked correctly when they:

• have more than one parking ticket that has not been paid (a Penalty Charge Notice)
• are used by drivers that have not paid fines
• are driven by someone who often breaks parking rules
• are stolen
• are unregistered
• display fake number plates
• are parked in a disabled bay using a fake or stolen blue badge

Get a clamp removed

It is against the law to try and remove the clamp from your vehicle. 

Before we remove a clamp, you must pay your PCN and clamp fees.

Pay online

You can also:

• pay by calling 020 7527 8000 and using a debit or credit card (we do not accept American Express or Diners Club)
• pay by cheque with a guaranteed card in person at the vehicle pound

When you have paid, we will remove the clamp from the vehicle, usually within 2 hours of your payment 

You must move your vehicle somewhere else after we have removed the clamp. If you do not, we may clamp your vehicle again if it is still parked incorrectly. 

If we clamp a vehicle, we may move it to the vehicle pound. This will mean you have to pay more charges to get your car back.

Removing or relocating vehicles

Sometimes we have to move vehicles so we can carry out works on public places. You have not done anything wrong. We will move these to another suitable parking place somewhere else on the street.

If a vehicle is parked dangerously or incorrectly, we may give you a parking ticket and move it to our vehicle pound.

How to check if your vehicle has been removed or relocated

We tell the London Councils' service TRACE about the vehicle. You can ask them to find out what has happened to your vehicle. All London councils use TRACE.

You can: 

• check TRACE online
• call their helpline on 030 0077 0100

Releasing a vehicle from the pound

If we have moved your vehicle to the vehicle pound, you will need to visit the pound.

You should bring ID such as: 

• valid full driving licence 
• valid passport 
• national identity card

You should also bring proof that you own the vehicle from the following list: 

• V5 Vehicle registration document 
• V5C registration certificate 
• valid certificate of insurance 
• bill of sale (if you have recently purchased the vehicle and do not have a V5)
• hire purchase agreement for the vehicle

We may need more proof if your vehicle is either: 

• unregistered with the DVLA 
• has 3 or more parking tickets that you have not paid

You must pay

• PCN fee
• removal fee
• any storage fees

Address

Unit 1
Waltham Park Way
Billet Road
E17 5DU

Opening hours 

• Monday to Saturday, 7am to 10pm
• Sunday, 8am to 8pm
• Bank holidays, 8am to 6pm

Phone

Call 016 1814 8996.

The line is open:

• Monday to Saturday, 7am to 10pm
• Sunday and bank holidays, 8am to 8pm

Charges and fees

London Councils set the fees for clamping and removal.

Type of fee	Amount to pay (£)
PCN - higher rate contravention	£160 (only pay half if you pay within 14 days)
PCN - lower rare contravention	£110 (only pay half if you pay within 14 days)
Clamp release	£100
Removal release	£280
Daily storage	£55 per day from midnight the day after the vehicle was removed
Vehicle disposal	£100

How to challenge a parking ticket

Challenge a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) if you think that your vehicle should not have been clamped or removed, or that the PCN is wrong.

We cannot remove clamps or release your car until you pay your PCN and any other fees. You can challenge the PCN after we have released your vehicle. You must do this within 28 days of us removing your vehicle.