The British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association has taken up the issue on behalf of its members, and has established without doubt the right of rental companies to pass on liability for fines incurred by hirers. But problems remain in the level of detail demanded by parking authorities before they will pursue a driver rather than a hirer for an unpaid fine.

In the consultation document the details required have nonetheless been reduced from previous criteria such as a driving licence's expiry date and its issuing authority. Providing this level of information would pose particular problems with corporate rentals where the hire company may not even see the driver, never mind his or her driving licence.

Mary Rance, the BVRLA's legal and technical adviser, said rental companies and fleets may have to come up with a template for a master agreement which would see the fleet accept liability to pay any fines incurred by its drivers while in a hire car. It would then be up to the fleet to recharge the driver responsible.