New private parking Code of Practice
The British Parking Association (BPA) and International Parking Community (IPC) have published the private parking sector single Code of Practice. Is it good news for drivers and will they get their complaints resolved?
I welcome the changes, which include: requiring clear signage, the 10 minute rule and the crackdown on parking firms using aggressive or pseudo-legal language to intimidate motorists into paying parking charges.
But the code includes the retaining of the current cap of £100 reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days on parking charges. However, the hotly contested Government proposal of a reduced cap of £50 and ban on additional fees has not been incorporated. Nor has the 5 minute cooling off period for a consumer to change their mind been included either.
It says that it is taking the lead in producing this Code that will raise standards and deliver greater transparency and consistency for the benefit of motorists.
“This new single Code will raise standards and deliver greater transparency and consistency for the benefit of motorists.”
The BPA and IPC say that the new sector single Code:
- Introduces an Appeals Charter, creating clear parameters for motorists to appeal against a parking charge
- Mandates a 10-minute grace period for motorists
- Provides consistent rules for private parking operators
- Requires clear signage to help motorists navigate parking on private land.
- Ensures the protection of the most vulnerable in society, with no decrease to the deterrent for abuse of Blue Badge bays or those who choose to park selfishly, putting their own convenience above the needs or rights of others.
- Maintains a cap on the parking charge at £100 reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.
Private Parking Operators should implement the new single Code by 1 October 2024. But sites will not need to be updated until December 2026.
I asked the BPA and IPC for comment on regarding not implementing the Government proposed changes to the Parking Code of Practice Act 2019 capping parking charges at £50 (remaining at £100 for those drivers who wrongly park in Blue Badge bays). I also asked for a statement regarding not adopting the proposed 50% discount for paying parking charges within two weeks (It is a minimum of 40%).
No response has been received so far.
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Historical background
On 7 February 2022 the Government announced changes to the Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 regulations covering private parking firms. The new measures were meant to be in place by the end by the end of 2023.
The proposals included capping fines at £50 (remaining at £100 for those drivers who wrongly park in Blue Badge bays). They allow a compulsory 10-minute grace period at the end of a parking stay and a 50% discount for paying fines within two weeks. There will be higher signage standards and there will be a banning of the use of aggressive language on parking correspondence.
However, in June 2022 the proposals were temporarily withdrawn because several private parking companies issued legal challenges against the government’s intention to change maximum fines and ban additional fees.
On 30 July 2023 the government launched a 10-week private parking code of practice call for evidence with a draft impact assessment.
This consultation closed on 8 October 2023. The Government has said it “will issue a further consultation on the options for parking charges and debt recovery fees once the call for evidence is complete.” Nothing has happened.
In March 2024 the RAC Foundation revealed that at least 9.7 million tickets were issued to drivers by private parking companies in Britain between April and December last year. It found that on average more than 35,000 parking tickets are sent out by private companies every day.
Appealing a parking ticket
How to appeal a council parking ticket
How to appeal a private parking PCN
Fighting private parking firms
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