The British Parking Association (BPA) and International Parking Community (IPC) have launched a Private Parking Sector Single Code of Practice.
They said the new code “will raise standards and deliver greater transparency and consistency for the benefit of motorists”.
It is expected to be implemented by private parking operators by 1 October 2024, with existing sites needing to be updated by December 2026.
As part of the code, an Appeals Charter will be introduced “to create clear parameters for motorists to appeal against a parking charge”.
Drivers staying in a private car park will also be given a 10-minute grace period, while the cap on parking charges will remain at £100, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.
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Meanwhile, there will be “consistent rules” for private parking operators, with signs for parking on private land set to be clearer.
Elsewhere, the code ensures the protection of the most vulnerable in society, with no decrease to the deterrent for abuse of Blue Badge bays or for those who park selfishly.
You can see the full Private Parking Sector Single Code of Practice here.
Andrew Pester, BPA chief executive, said: “We are delighted to release a single sector code across our private parking sector. This is a key milestone as we work closely with Government, consumer bodies and others to deliver fairer and more consistent parking standards for motorists. We will continue to push for a positive outcome for all.”
‘Falls miles short of what drivers promised by Government’
Simon Williams, RAC head of policy, said: “Drivers shouldn’t be fooled into thinking this so-called code developed by the private parking industry itself is the same as the long-delayed official Private Parking Code of Practice that is backed by legislation.
“This, and only this, will bring an end to the worst practices of some private parking operators and mean drivers, and especially those who are vulnerable, are protected from unreasonable fines and debt collectors chasing down payments.”
Williams added that some of the measures being introduced by the parking industry “are an improvement on the status quo, which, we have long argued, is totally unacceptable”.
He said: “But what operators will now be expected to do falls miles short of what drivers have been promised by the Government, which includes a cap on fines and debt recovery fees, a single independent appeals service, and sanctions against companies that break the rules such as being banned from operating.”
This is echoed by Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA.
He said; “It’s somewhat ironic that after pushing so hard against adopting one, the two bodies have decided to implement their own. This watered-down ‘code of practice’ falls far short of the standards The AA, Government and consumer groups have called for across many years.
“This self-authored ‘code’ doesn’t acknowledge the need to cap charges and remove debt recovery fees. These elements are desperately needed from a Government-backed code to protect innocent drivers from the sharks running private car parks.”
