Government Unveils Rules to Curb Private Parking Rip-Off Charges

The UK government has introduced new rules to give motorists stronger protections against unfair private parking charges, aiming to curb what Prime Minister Andy Burnham described as “rip-off” practices by parking management companies.

The new Private Parking Code of Practice applies specifically to private car parks where Parking Charge Notices are issued, distinct from local authority Penalty Charge Notices. At its core, the code permits drivers to appeal charges when circumstances beyond their control caused the infraction.

Motorists can have charges dropped for honest mistakes like stopping briefly for directions, medical emergencies, or broken ticket machines. The code also guarantees drivers five minutes to decide whether to use a car park and ten minutes to exit after paying.

For minor errors such as incorrect registration numbers or forgotten permits, the maximum charge after appeal is capped at £20. The overall maximum for any Parking Charge Notice is set at £100 under the new rules.

Burnham stated, “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.”

Operators who violate the code risk losing access to DVLA driver data, reducing their ability to issue charges. The enforcement mechanism targets persistent offenders by cutting off a key tool used to track and bill motorists.

The RAC acknowledged the move as progress but noted significant gaps remain. RAC head of policy, Simon Williams, said: “This a step in the right direction to protect drivers from the poor practices of some private parking companies but not the leap we’ve been campaigning for for so long.” He highlighted the absence of debt recovery fee bans and a single independent appeals body as major disappointments.

Williams added, “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.”