The New Zealand Automobile Association (AA), which also provides insurance through AA Insurance, has welcomed new measures to stop cowboy clampers, but believes more needs to be done to regulate the industry.

On August 22, the government announced it will rein in wheel clampers by regulating a maximum penalty of $100. 

The AA said it has been calling for the private parking sector to be regulated for years, including banning the practice of wheel clamping.

“Having no regulations for wheel clamping has allowed anyone to set themselves up in the clamping business and charge any penalties they like, on any private property, any time,” AA principal advisor regulation Mark Stockdale said. “Wheel clamping is one of the most common complaints the AA receives around car parking.

“Motorists are angry about the size of the penalty, often over $200, and upset that they cannot challenge it,” he added.

Stockdale noted AA prefers wheel clamping to be banned, but believes the measure is a good first step and will help reduce the worst excesses of wheel clamping.

“However, $100 is still disproportionate for the offence and it still doesn’t solve the problem of denying motorists the opportunity to dispute a wheel clamp penalty without paying on the spot,” he added. “The AA also believes wheel clampers should be regulated, the same way tow truck operators are.”