Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced new rules to end "rip off parking", including a maximum £20 charge on appeal for honest mistakes and a freeze on the maximum parking charge at £100.
The government shared the announcement on Monday (October 19), disclosing new measures that will give drivers new rights to challenge unfair private parking charges. Data showed just under 17 million private parking charges were issued in the UK last year.
New £20 maximum charge for small mistakes
Under the Private Parking Code of Practice laid in Parliament, charges will be scrapped on appeal for honest mistakes, including stopping briefly to check directions, medical emergencies, breakdowns or broken ticket machines.
For smaller slip-ups, like forgetting a parking permit, entering the wrong vehicle's registration or forgetting to confirm it in the machine when parking, drivers will face a maximum charge of £20 on appeal.
The Code also freezes the maximum parking charge at £100. Operators who do not comply risk losing access to DVLA data, meaning that even if they issue a charge, it will be far more difficult to identify the registered owner to pursue payment.
Longer grace periods announced
Drivers will be given 10 minutes to leave the car park once their session ends. They also have five minutes to decide whether to park or not before paying.
Prime Minister Andy 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."
Car clocking crackdown
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner said: "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."
Second-hand car dealers who wind back odometers to disguise a vehicle's true mileage will also face tougher action. Known as car clocking, fraudulently selling a clocked car is already illegal, but adding it to the official list of banned practices will make it easier for enforcers to crack down, protecting buyers and backing honest businesses.
