A new proposal to extend the powers of inspectors for Vehicle Operator and Services Agency (VOSA) has sparked worries that there are too many bodies patrolling the UK's streets.
Powers that were once the preserve of the police are increasingly being given to civilian agencies.
The more than 500 VOSA inspectors will now be able to clamp or pull over cars that lack a valid tax disc or MOT or are seen to be unroadworthy.
The inspectors will now be able to put fixed penalty fines and do so on private motorists, whereas before only commercial vehicles were within their jurisdiction.
Other new responsibilities will be the ability to give notices to drivers for smashed lights or faulty indicators.
The Maidenhead Advertiser already reported last week that a clamp down campaign had started, with officials from the Department of Transport doing spot checks on drivers that were thought to be driving faulty vehicles.
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