Is the DVLA selling drivers' details to cowboy clampers?

Transport minister Stephen Ladyman said it followed concerns about the breadth of organisations accessing the data.

The RAC Foundation had voiced fears the information was being used by so-called cowboy clampers.

It welcomed the review, which will look at the practice of selling drivers' names and addresses to anyone claiming "reasonable cause".

Parking fine

The motorist organisation's chairman David Holmes asked the government to look into the matter last month.

The organisation's executive director, Edmund King, said: "We challenged the DVLA about this scam five years ago and were told that there was no widespread evidence of abuse.

"Clearly, this is no longer the case and we are pleased to welcome the government's decision to review this whole scheme."

A case was recently reported where a motorist from East Sussex parked for less than 10 minutes in a free car park which allows a 2.5 hour stay.

The car park management firm used DVLA details to fine him �170 before finding the CCTV was faulty.

Although this was perfectly legal and there was no suggestion of misuse of the data, the motorist said he was annoyed that the firm had his details at all, and he thought data was protected by law.

Norman Baker MP said the firm acted legally but laws should change so only the DVLA or police could use details.

"Information given to the DVLA by drivers should only be used by the DVLA or local police and not by private companies to make profit," he said.

The DVLA says it is obliged by law to release driver information to anyone who can demonstrate reasonable cause to have it.

It says it will investigate any claims information it has supplied has been misused.