UK Government Introduces New Rules for Private Parking Fines

Britain's private parking firms are set to face stricter regulations as the government announces a new code of practice designed to protect drivers from what it terms 'cowboy' operators. The move comes as new data reveals these firms generated £537 million annually, with motorists issued an average of one ticket every two seconds.

Government figures show that 16.9 million private parking fines were issued in the year ending March, a nearly 97% increase since 2021/22. These fines, which can reach up to £100 each, represent a potential daily cost of over £4.6 million to drivers. The parking industry has cited an increase in managed car parks as a reason for the rise in charges.

The newly announced measures aim to provide drivers with clearer rules, extended grace periods, and reduced charges for honest errors. According to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the code will grant drivers a guaranteed five-minute window to decide whether to park and a 10-minute grace period to leave a car park after their paid time has expired without penalty.

Under the new code, drivers will have the right to appeal and have charges canceled for genuine mistakes, such as briefly stopping to check directions, or for circumstances beyond their control, like a vehicle breakdown or a malfunctioning ticket machine. For less severe errors, such as forgetting a parking permit or making a minor mistake when entering a vehicle registration number, the maximum charge on appeal will be capped at £20.

"Being a few minutes late back to your car or typing one digit of your numberplate wrong shouldn't end with a hefty fine landing on your doormat," said Andy Burnham, referring to the impact of current practices. "These charges leave people feeling ripped off and out of pocket, so I'm putting a stop to them."

Private parking charges will be frozen at a maximum of £100. Operators who fail to comply with the new code risk losing access to DVLA data, which they currently use to pursue parking charges from registered vehicle keepers. The new code of practice will apply across England, Scotland, and Wales and will establish an independent scrutiny and oversight board for the industry.

Industry stakeholders have offered mixed reactions. RAC head of policy Simon Williams described the code as a "step in the right direction" but expressed disappointment that banning debt recovery fees and establishing a single independent appeals body were not included. He noted, however, that the new rules, established seven years after the Private Parking Code of Practice Act, would hopefully prevent many drivers from being wrongly ticketed.

Nicholas Lyes, director of policy for IAM RoadSmart, welcomed the new protections but echoed the call for a unified appeals system and action against debt recovery organizations. Alison Tooze, chief policy officer at the British Parking Association, stated that the code builds on existing voluntary principles and creates a more consistent, transparent, and trusted framework that balances motorist protection with effective parking management.

In addition to the parking regulations, the government also announced a crackdown on second-hand car dealers who manipulate vehicle mileage clocks, adding this practice to an official list of banned activities.