Prime Minister Andy Burnham unveiled a set of rules designed to stop private parking operators from issuing what motorists call “rip‑off” fines. The reforms give drivers a five‑minute window to decide whether to park and a ten‑minute period to leave without penalty.
The move follows growing complaints that penalties issued by private car parks are often disproportionate. In one high‑profile case, a woman in Derby was taken to court over a £1,906 claim after taking more than five minutes to pay at a car park; the charge was eventually dropped.
Under the new framework, fines will be cancelled for circumstances beyond a driver’s control, such as vehicle breakdowns, medical emergencies or broken ticket machines. Minor mistakes – for example, forgetting a parking permit or entering the wrong registration – will trigger a maximum charge of £20 on appeal.
A freeze on the maximum private parking charge at £100 – the same limit used in the existing voluntary Code of Practice – will apply to all operators. Those who fail to comply risk losing access to DVLA data, making it harder to pursue the vehicle’s owner even if a charge is issued.
Data from the RAC Foundation shows that 17 million private parking tickets were issued in 2025/26, a 17 % rise from the previous year. With each fine potentially worth up to £100, drivers could face more than £4.6 million in daily charges.
Industry bodies have mixed reactions. The British Parking Association welcomed the changes but noted that many of the new principles already exist in the voluntary Code of Practice. The AA praised the reforms as a step toward better protection for drivers, warning that many motorists pay fines to avoid the hassle of a legal challenge. The RAC called for the removal of debt‑recovery fees and a single independent appeals body.
The new code will apply across England, Scotland and Wales. The government will consult on debt‑recovery fees and other recommendations from the Competition and Markets Authority before full implementation.
