Burnham vows end to 'rip-off parking charges' under new rules

New rules aim to curb 'rip-off' private parking charges in England, Scotland, and Wales.

The full report

The UK government has introduced new rules to regulate private parking charges, aiming to curb what Prime Minister Andy Burnham calls 'rip-off' charges. The new code of practice for the industry will provide drivers with more rights and protections.

Under the new rules, drivers will have a guaranteed five minutes to decide whether to park and 10 minutes to leave after their parking session ends before facing a fine. This is intended to give motorists more time to make decisions and avoid unnecessary penalties.

The government has also introduced a system for appealing fines, with charges scrapped for 'honest mistakes' such as stopping briefly to check directions or experiencing a medical emergency. For smaller slip-ups, such as forgetting to display a parking permit, drivers will face a maximum charge of £20 on appeal.

The new rules also include a freeze on the maximum parking charge at £100, which is the same limit as the current private parking Code of Practice. Operators who do not comply with the new rules risk losing access to DVLA data, making it more difficult to pursue the car's owner.

The RAC motoring group has welcomed the changes, saying they will protect drivers from the 'poor practices of some private parking companies'. However, the consumer body Which? has expressed concerns that the new rules do not go far enough to help drivers fight back against private parking 'cowboys'.