Brief

UK government introduces new private parking code to curb rip‑off charges

The updated code of practice, announced by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, aims to protect motorists from excessive private‑parking penalties.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 20 Oct 2026 15:00:11 GMT

Motorists in England, Scotland and Wales will gain new protections against unreasonable private‑parking charges after the government unveiled an updated code of practice, the Independent reported on 20 October 2026.

The code guarantees a five‑minute decision period for drivers to appeal a charge when they first arrive at a car park and introduces a 10‑minute grace window after a paid session ends, during which leaving the site will not trigger a penalty. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government says the changes also allow charges to be cancelled on appeal for genuine mistakes such as briefly pulling over to check directions, vehicle breakdowns, medical emergencies or broken ticket machines.

For minor errors – for example mistyping a registration number, failing to confirm details at a machine or forgetting a permit – the maximum appeal charge will be capped at £20. Private‑parking penalties themselves will be limited to £100, and operators that fail to comply could lose access to driver data held by the DVLA.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham welcomed the reforms, stating, "Being a few minutes late back to your car or typing one digit of your number‑plate 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." (Independent)

Official figures analysed by the Press Association and the RAC Foundation show private firms issued a record 16.9 million parking tickets in the year to the end of March, up from 14.4 million the previous year and 6.8 million in 2018/19. At the new £100 cap, the daily cost to drivers could exceed £4.6 million.

The revised framework also creates an independent scrutiny and oversight board for the first time. Private operators will have to submit regular reports on issued charges and appeal handling, which the board will review. Ministers have indicated further consultation on private‑parking debt‑recovery fees, including possible reductions to existing charges.

Key facts

The new code guarantees a five‑minute appeal decision period and a 10‑minute grace window after a paid session ends. (independent.co.uk)
Maximum private‑parking fines are capped at £100, with appeal charges limited to £20 for minor errors. (independent.co.uk)
Private‑parking operators could lose DVLA data access if they fail to comply with the new code. (independent.co.uk)
16.9 million private‑parking tickets were issued in the year to March 2026, up from 14.4 million the previous year. (independent.co.uk)
An independent oversight board will review regular reports submitted by private operators. (independent.co.uk)