A labor council is taking advantage of a loophole to allow learner parking lot drivers to issue fines to motorists who have already passed their tests.
Civilian officers travel on mopeds without full licenses to roam the streets of south-west London and catch drivers.
Lambeth Council has been criticized for using a “loophole” to bring more wardens onto the streets quickly to collect £35m a year in parking penalties, by bringing in apprentice mopeds.
Guards aged 18 and over are hired with CBT certificates – that is, compulsory basic training – under a private contract with parking company Apcoa, according to The Telegraph.
The course, which lasts one day, does not require a full practical theoretical exam and teaches a low level of moped driving skills.
Labor council uses loophole to allow learner parking drivers to fine motorists who have already passed their tests (Stock photo)
Pensioner Richard Hughes, who has been driving for 40 years, said it was “a bit strange” to be issued a ticket by a learner driver after parking in the village of Abbeville, Clapham, to collect some food for his granddaughter.
“It seems there are loopholes and weaknesses in the system that make it more beneficial for them to be learners rather than having passed their exam,” he said.
An apprentice moped guard issued a penalty to an unoccupied car about two minutes after arriving, The Telegraph observed.
The moped was also allegedly parked in an overhead bay with its L-plate semi-upturned.
Lambeth Council is believed to be one of several councils using learner mopeds to issue parking fines.
An Apcoa spokesperson said: “Alongside foot patrols, the scooters provide CEOs with a versatile, low-emission way to carry out their duties in a large borough – 80 per cent of Apcoa mopeds used in Lambeth are electrical.
Civil enforcement officers travel on mopeds without full licenses to roam the streets of southwest London and catch drivers (stock photo)
“These vehicles are driven in accordance with licensing and DVLA regulations and the entire Apcoa fleet is insured under a commercial agreement.”
A Lambeth Council spokesperson said: “Our parking services help to keep the streets of our vibrant central London area safe and convenient. We use foot patrols and electric scooters to achieve this effectively, all in accordance with current legislation.
“Penalty notices are only issued to people who break the rules, and there is no target attached to this work. »
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Parking penalties in London are set by the Mayor of London, so this is a matter for Lambeth Council and TfL (Transport for London). to comply with the law.
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