The two Aberdeen women were given repeated warnings to pay their mounting fines, including numerous letters and enforcement orders, but failed to meet the necessary payments. One defaulter further failed to turn up for a court hearing.

One of the women amassed a £360 total after receiving four police registered fines for an improper tax disc in 2007. However, she paid her debt plus the contractor’s £68 clamping expense within the 24 hour deadline and now has her vehicle back.

The second woman mounted up an outstanding fine of £290 over two years for a combination of offences including sentences for driving without insurance and failing to have a TV licence. Her car was impounded and will be kept in storage for 21 days before permission is sought from the court to sell it at auction.

To reclaim it, she must pay a daily storage charge of £15, plus a £135 release fee in addition to the outstanding fine. The sale price will be used to pay the debt with the remainder going back to the owner.

From March 2008, the Scottish Court Service (SCS) took on new power to collect unpaid Fiscal and court fines by arresting wages, reducing benefits and clamping cars. And over the past two years vehicles have been clamped in Glasgow and Edinburgh, contributing to a steady increase in the rate of fines collection.

SCS Director Field Services Eric McQueen said: "New tracing facilities make it easier for us to identify defaulters and deduct outstanding fines from their benefits, wages or bank accounts. It also means we can see if they are a car owner, allowing us to seize and sell their vehicle.

"We have issued warnings to car owners before and they normally pay up but there are some people who still believe they can get away with not paying their fines. Fine dodgers have nowhere to hide - we will use all the available enforcement actions to collect their fines including clamping and seizing their cars.

The owners of these vehicles have had ample warning of the consequence of non-payment. I hope this sends out a clear warning to others with outstanding fines."