The fee which can be charged for release of a wheel clamp has been capped at $100 since 2 January 2020.

Section 98C of the Land Transport (Wheel Clamping) Amendment Act 2019 sets the fee payable to the person with control over a wheel clamp or other immobilising device for removal at $100 (GST inclusive).

The legislation applies to immobilising devices applied to motor vehicles parked in a parking place (a place on the road on which a person is able to park their motor vehicle).

The person with control over the device must remove or arrange for its removal as soon as reasonably practicable after the fee is paid, or if there is no fee, at the direction of the person in charge of the vehicle.

Anyone who charges a higher fee or who does not remove the device as soon as reasonably practicable commits and offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of a maximum of $3,000 for individuals or $15,000 for body corporates.

A statement issued by Consumer NZ and the Automobile Association says if the law change fails to stop past wheel clamping practices, a ban on wheel clamping would need to be the next step.