A qualified lawyer has highlighted a little-known rule that could help drivers challenge a private parking fine if they have overstayed by just a few minutes.
Kal, a lawyer trained in both the UK and the USA with more than 13 years' experience, explained on his Better Call Kal YouTube page that a new private parking code contains a mandatory grace period for motorists.
Mandatory 10-minute grace period
Under the new rules, private parking operators must allow drivers an additional 10 minutes after their paid or permitted parking period ends before issuing a Parking Charge Notice.
For example, if a driver's parking session finishes at 2pm but their vehicle is recorded leaving at 2.08pm or 2.09pm, Kal said the charge should not stand.
He explained: "So, if your paid session or free parking period ends at 2 p.m., let's say, and your camera and the camera then clocks you at 208 or 209, that ticket is not valid."
Appeal immediately
Kal stressed that the additional time is not simply a favour from the parking company, saying: "That grace period is not discretionary. It's mandatory."
Anyone who receives a ticket despite apparently being within those 10 minutes should therefore check the evidence before deciding whether to pay.
Kal's advice was clear: "So again, if you have been fined while you were in your grace period, appeal it immediately."
New code and transition period
A new Single Code of Practice is being introduced to create one set of rules for participating private parking companies across England, Scotland and Wales.
Private car parks are currently in a "transition period" to adapt to these rules, which become fully mandatory across all sites in December 2026. Any sites created since October 2024 are required to follow the code, including the 10-minute grace period. Existing sites have until December 31, 2026, to achieve full mandatory compliance across all operational requirements, including signage.
The existing maximum charge is £100, although this can be reduced to £60 when paid within 14 days.
Council fines excluded
However, there is an important catch. The rule applies to private car parks, rather than parking penalties issued by councils. Kal highlighted what he described as a "very important distinction."
"But guys, this applies to private car parks only. Very important distinction. It does not apply to council issued penalty charge notices on public roads," he said.
Council-issued penalties operate under separate rules, meaning motorists cannot automatically rely on the same 10-minute provision. Private car parks are generally those operated by companies on land such as shopping centres, supermarkets and other commercial sites, rather than public parking areas controlled by local authorities.
