New 10-Minute Grace Period Announced for UK Private Car Parks
New rules for UK private car parks introduce a 10-minute grace period before fees apply to overstaying drivers. Industry bodies released a code featuring fairer appeals and capped charges, but it faces criticism for not sufficiently protecting motorists. Full compliance is expected by December 2026, despite prior failed efforts for government-backed legislation.
Private car parks in the UK will introduce a 10-minute 'grace period' before charging drivers for overstaying, as part of a new code of practice set by industry trade bodies.
The British Parking Association and the International Parking Community have released this code, which includes a fairer appeals system and continues to cap charges at £100, reducible to £60 if paid within 14 days.
However, motoring organizations criticize the code for falling short of protecting drivers, likening private car park operators to 'sharks'.
The new code will be phased in with full compliance required by December 2026.
Despite attempts to introduce government-backed legislation in 2019, legal challenges from private parking companies stalled these efforts.
The new self-regulated code has been met with criticism for not implementing necessary caps and prohibiting aggressive fee recovery.
The British Parking Association and the International Parking Community have released this code, which includes a fairer appeals system and continues to cap charges at £100, reducible to £60 if paid within 14 days.
However, motoring organizations criticize the code for falling short of protecting drivers, likening private car park operators to 'sharks'.
The new code will be phased in with full compliance required by December 2026.
Despite attempts to introduce government-backed legislation in 2019, legal challenges from private parking companies stalled these efforts.
The new self-regulated code has been met with criticism for not implementing necessary caps and prohibiting aggressive fee recovery.
