New Private Parking Code Set to End ‘Rip-Off’ Charges
Millions of UK motorists could benefit from stronger protection against unfair private parking charges under a long-awaited Government code of practice. The new rules will introduce clearer appeal rights, longer grace periods and reduced charges for genuine mistakes.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has confirmed that the Private Parking Code of Practice has been laid before Parliament, bringing the proposed reforms a step closer to implementation.
Under the code, parking charges should be cancelled on appeal where drivers make honest mistakes or face circumstances beyond their control. These include medical emergencies, vehicle breakdowns and faulty ticket machines.
Motorists will also receive a guaranteed five minutes to decide whether to park and 10 minutes to leave after their parking session expires.
For minor errors, such as forgetting to display a parking permit, entering an incorrect registration number or failing to confirm a vehicle’s registration at a payment machine, the maximum charge following an appeal will be £20.
The code also retains a £100 cap on the maximum parking charge. Operators that fail to follow the rules risk losing access to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s (DVLA) database, which they rely on to identify registered keepers and pursue parking charges.
Government promises further action on parking fees
The Government has also pledged to consult on private parking debt recovery fees as soon as possible next year. The consultation will consider whether to reduce the existing £70 cap or abolish the additional fees altogether.
The reforms form part of Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s wider programme of measures aimed at tackling everyday costs and unfair consumer practices.
Burnham said: “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.
“These charges leave people feeling ripped off and out of pocket, so I’m putting a stop to them.
“We are introducing clearer rules, longer grace periods and lower charges for genuine mistakes, while going after the deliberate scams that rip drivers off.”
Angela Rayner, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, said the changes would make parking simpler and fairer.
“Parking should be straightforward, not another everyday hassle. These changes mean drivers get a fairer deal, protected time to park and leave without fear of being unfairly charged, and confidence that private parking providers are held to a higher standard.
“It’s yet another step forward in this government’s plan to take the stress out of everyday life and ease the pressure on people’s pockets.”
Private parking industry faces greater scrutiny
The announcement follows growing concerns about the conduct of private parking operators and the volume of charges issued to motorists.
The RAC recently revealed that a Government audit had identified serious data compliance issues among private parking companies, raising concerns about the potential misuse of driver information.
Figures also show that just under 17 million private parking charges were issued across the UK last year.
The Government first introduced a Private Parking Code of Practice to improve standards, but withdrew it temporarily on 7 June 2022 after legal challenges from parking operators and debt recovery firms.
In 2025, ministers consulted on proposals for a revised code. The consultation received 4,526 responses from members of the public and industry representatives. Motorists highlighted the need for fairer appeals and independent oversight of private parking operators.
Parliament will now scrutinise the code before ministers move towards implementation. The rules will apply in England, Scotland and Wales.
Operators will also have to report data on the parking charges they issue and how they handle appeals. A new independent Scrutiny and Oversight Board will examine this information to assess whether the code is improving industry standards. Work to establish the board will begin once the code comes into force.
The reforms follow a wider crackdown by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which launched enforcement and regulatory action against private parking operators this summer.
The regulator raised concerns about potentially unfair practices, including how companies handle appeals and seek to recover additional fees on top of parking charges.
The CMA has also made recommendations to the Government on the new code. Ministers intend to consult further on the remaining recommendations following its publication.
AFP welcomes changes for drivers and fleets
The Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) welcomed the announcement, saying the reforms could benefit both motorists and fleet operators.
Paul Hollick, chair of the AFP, said: “The AFP welcomes any changes that provide a fairer and more transparent approach to parking fines, as this area of fleet operation is becoming more prevalent and costly to drivers and fleets.
“As well as reducing fines for drivers this could also reduce the administrative burden on fleets who have to process such penalty notices, which are on the increase.
“This is a small but important change that should help both drivers and fleet operators.”
Private parking charges can create additional work for fleet managers, who must process notices, identify drivers and manage appeals across company vehicles. The new rules could reduce this administrative burden where operators issue charges for genuine mistakes.
RAC and AA call for stronger safeguards
The RAC described the code as a “step in the right direction” for protecting motorists from poor practices, but said it fell short of the changes the organisation had campaigned for.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “We’ve long called for the banning of debt recovery fees being added on top of parking charge notices (PCNs) and a single independent appeals body to replace the two industry-run ones, but neither have been included which is disappointing.
“That said, the fact we finally have a code seven years on from the Private Parking Code of Practice Act becoming law is positive. Car park management companies will now have to conform to a new set rules or risk losing access to the DVLA’s database, which they depend on to issue PCNs to drivers. This will hopefully prevent many drivers wrongly being issued tickets in the first place. There’s also a strong indication the code will be toughened as soon as next year to take in recent recommendations from the Competition and Markets Authority.
“While this isn’t quite the Christmas present we wanted for drivers, it should hopefully save many the stress of having to challenge unfair tickets.”
The AA also welcomed the proposed changes, although it warned that further action would be needed to address unfair charges.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the motoring organisation, said: “After seven long years, drivers finally have something which could offer them better protections against the worst private parking operators. For too long, many private parking operators have aggressively attacked drivers to the point where many simply pay up if they receive a charge from one on the doorstep.
“While this is a good first step, there is still a huge amount of work to do, such as tackling the scourge of debt recovery fees. Ultimately, we need to stop charges being issued in the first place, especially where the driver has done nothing wrong.
“Until now, the balance has always felt in favour of the parking firms. We are hopeful that further measures can be added onto this foundation, offering better safeguards to drivers.”
The code represents a significant step towards tighter regulation of private parking, but key questions remain over debt recovery fees and independent appeals.
For motorists and fleet managers, the effectiveness of the reforms will depend on how consistently operators apply the new rules and how effectively the Government enforces compliance.