The Government has announced new private parking rules to protect drivers from 'rip-off' charges and 'unfair' penalty tickets under the Private Parking Code of Practice laid in Parliament today.

The new rules will give drivers:

  • A guaranteed five-minute period to decide whether to park
  • A 10-minute window to leave without facing a penalty
  • Cancellation of charges for issues drivers can't control, such as vehicle breakdowns in car parks, as set out in the Appeals Charter
  • Cancellation of charges for 'honest mistakes' such as stopping to check directions, as well as for medical emergencies or broken ticket machines
  • Maximum charges of £20 on appeal for slip-ups such as forgetting a parking permit, entering the wrong vehicle registration, or forgetting to confirm the registration in the machine when parking
  • A freeze on the maximum parking charge at £100, which is the same limit as the current private parking Code of Practice

The new code will apply in England, Scotland and Wales.

Operators who don't comply risk losing access to DVLA data, so if they issue a charge, it will be far more difficult to identify the registered owner to pursue payment.

In addition, 'car clocking' has been banned: this is where second-hand car dealers wind back odometers to disguise a vehicle's true mileage. Adding it to the official list of banned practices will make it easier for enforcers to crack down on it, the Government said.

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.'

Some 17 million private parking tickets were issued in 2025-26, a 17% increase from a year earlier. With each charge worth up to £100, this suggests drivers could collectively face private parking charges worth more than £4.6m each day.

The Government has also promised to consult next year on private parking debt recovery fees, including on whether to cut an existing £70 cap or scrap the fees altogether.

Alison Tooze, chief policy officer at the British Parking Association, welcomed the new code as 'an important step forward for motorists, communities and responsible parking operators', suggesting that it struck the 'right balance between stronger protections for motorists and effective parking management'.

She added: 'The Code builds on many of the principles already established through the sector's existing voluntary Code, helping create a more consistent, transparent and trusted framework. Independent oversight is a positive development that will strengthen accountability, support high standards and provide greater confidence for motorists and operators alike.

'We also look forward to further engagement with Government on the debt recovery fee, which also plays an important role in supporting compliance and resolving cases without unnecessary court action.'

Today's announcement follows a consultation last year on proposals for a Private Parking Code of Practice. Parliament will now have time to scrutinise the Code before ministers bring it into force 'as soon as possible'.

Also, under the new code, for the first time there will be a fully independent Scrutiny and Oversight Board. Operators will be required to report to the board on the charges they issue and how appeals are handled.

The process to set the board up will commence once the code comes into force.