Private car parks: ‘watered down’ code of practice introduced

• Code of Practice launched by private car park industry
• 10-minute grace period introduced
• Penalty charged capped at £100
• AA says code is ‘watered down’
• Car parks have until October 2026 to adopt code

The British Parking Association (BPA) and the International Parking Community (IPC) are behind the code, which the organisations claim will raise standards and deliver consistency for drivers.

An appeal charter is included in the code, outlining how motorists should contest an unfair parking charge. It also mandates a 10-minute grace period for drivers after the time they have paid for parking ends and requires clear signage to help motorists understand the rules and charges when parking on private land.

The code covers the abuse of Blue Badge parking for the disabled and caps parking penalty charges at £100, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.

The BPA’s chief executive, Andrew Pester, 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.”

However, critics argue the code doesn’t go far enough, and that an industry code lacks the teeth to tackle unscrupulous car park operators.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, said of the code: “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.”

Parking operators also have a long grace period in which to comply with the code of practice, with existing car parks having until October 2026 to fall into line.

The code falls well short of standards proposed by the Government back in 2022, which would have capped penalty charges at £50 – half the figure in the code of practice. The proposed legislation would also have banned the use of aggressive and intimidatory language on tickets and put an end to additional debt collection fees. However, after a legal challenge by private parking companies the legislation was withdrawn.

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