A 200-year-old law might soon be history – but it could still catch you out for simply asking a fellow motorist for change in a car park. The Vagrancy Act 1824 has become controversial in recent years, with critics claiming it criminalises the homeless.
So much so that it was repealed earlier last month in the House of Commons. But the wheels of the legislature often move slowly, and many fear it will reach its 200th anniversary in 2024 before the final action is completed.
Which means that motorists who find themselves short of change or with the incorrect coins in car parks should beware. That’s because under Section 4 of the Vagrancy Act, this is classed as begging – and could earn you up to a month in “the house of correction”, but more likely a £1,000 fine these days.
Motoring expert Graham Conway, from van leasing company Select Car Leasing, said: “There remain a handful of bizarre laws in this country that have the potential to land drivers in hot water. These include having a football team’s flag flying from your vehicle and sleeping in the back seat while drunk.
“But this has to be one of the weirdest. Thankfully, many car park payment machines now offer the option of paying with a debit or credit card.
“There are also a range of mobile phone apps that make covering the cost of leaving your vehicle simple and efficient. But everyone knows of at least one car park that is behind the times and where you can only pay with coins.
“In fact, I’d wager that the vast majority of motorists still carry some sort of loose change in their console compartments in case they get caught out.”
Asking a stranger for change is technically a crime.
A full repeal of the Vagrancy Act 1824 was agreed in the House of Commons on March 1, six weeks after passing through the House of Lords. The legislation was introduced almost two centuries ago to address the problem of soldiers who had returned from the Napoleonic War and were left destitute, but has more recently been described as “cruel and archaic”.
Rough Sleeping and Housing Minister Eddie Hughes said: “The Vagrancy Act is outdated and needs replacing, and so I’m delighted to announce the government will repeal it in full.”
The two centuries old law is not the only parking issue facing some drivers. Previous research by Select Car Leasing found that the number of “dangerous parking” offences has been on the rise.
MS10 enforcement notices are issued by the authorities for “leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position”, which includes blocking a pavement or parking on a blind bend. And stats from the DVLA showed the figures rocketed from 57 in 2016 to 411 in 2019.
Select Car Leasing’s Mr Conway said: “Parking is a longstanding bugbear of many Brits and the situation could be complicated further by an outright nationwide ban on parking on pavements. But while it can be frustrating at times when spaces are at a premium, it’s always worth taking a few extra minutes to make sure you are parked legally and safely.”
