by a local or government authority, etc. The only exception to this is if the clamping company are acting on behalf of a government agency e.g. contracted on behalf of the DVLA. To allow landowners to deal with unauthorised vehicles the same statute allows land owners to hold the registered keeper of a vehicle liable for any charges relating to breach of contract under certain circumstances. Landowners who seek to enforce 'Parking Charge Notices' (contractual payment terms) establish the contract through the use of onsite signage detailing the 'conditions'. United States Despite it being illegal for private operators to immobilise vehicles with these types of devices in the U.S. state of Washington, the practice continues. In February 2013 charges were laid against a private parking operator, along with the property owner, in the city of Los Angeles for attaching wheel clamps to vehicles in a privately owned parking lot. Ireland In the Republic of Ireland, clamping in public places is legal under a 1988 amendment to the Road Traffic Act 1961. Clamping in private car parks is widespread but not regulated by statute, and the legality of the practice is unclear. The breaches for which an "immobilisation device" may be fitted under the 1961 act are those specified in sections 35, 36, and 36A of the Road Traffic Act 1994 as amended (respectively "Regulations for general control of traffic and pedestrians", "Parking of vehicles in parking places on public roads", and "Bye-laws for restriction on parking – specified events"). Regulations under the 1994 act are made by statutory instrument by the minister responsible for transport (currently the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport). Local authorities have delegated the clamping activity to private companies. This contrasts with traffic wardens, who are employees of the authority. Existing statutory provisions are due to be replaced by the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015, passed as part of the Fine Gael–Labour coalition's 2011 programme for government. The 2015 act regulates private as well as public clamping. It also seeks to improve and standardise the level of fines and the appeals process, which have been the focus of public dissatisfaction. See also Bicycle lock Predatory towing References External links KRQE News 13 Online – 'Boot Dispute Settled With Bolt Cutters' Reporting Vehicle Immobilisers – in case one was illegally clamped or given no receipt, one can report a vehicle immobiliser to the SIA (Security Industry Authority). SIA