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

Drivers will be granted the ability to contest exorbitant private parking charges and more leniency when utilizing private providers, as outlined by Transport Secretary Andy Burnham. The modifications came after numerous drivers expressed outrage over penalties imposed by private providers, which they considered excessively punitive and unjust.

In a particular incident, a woman faced a £1,906 court case for failing to pay a parking fee within five minutes at a Derby car park, though the charge was later dismissed. Although private car parks are governed by an industry code of practice, the RAC motoring group emphasized that the government's actions would shield motorists from subpar practices exhibited by certain private parking firms.

Burnham remarked, "Spending a few minutes past your scheduled return time or mistyping a digit of your license plate should not result in a significant fine being delivered to your doorstep." He further stated that these charges leave individuals feeling exploited and financially burdened, prompting him to put an end to them. Key provisions of the new rules include granting a 5-minute window for parking decisions, a 10-minute period to vacate without facing penalties, waiving charges for uncontrollable circumstances such as vehicle breakdowns, excusing honest errors like seeking directions, and cancelling fees for medical emergencies or malfunctioning ticket machines.

Maximum charges can be contested on appeal for minor infractions such as forgetting a parking permit or incorrect vehicle registration. Moreover, a cap of £20 on appeal for such oversights will be enforced. Non-compliance with these regulations could result in the loss of access to DVLA data, complicating efforts to pursue the vehicle's owner and potentially hampering their ability to charge.

Private car parks diverge from council-owned car parks and streets. RAC analysis of government data revealed a staggering 17 million private parking tickets issued in 2025/2026, a 17% rise from the previous year. With each charge potentially reaching £100, the analysis by the Press Association and RAC Foundation suggests that drivers could face private parking charges totalling over £4.6 million daily.

The yellow and black envelope of a Penalty Charge Notice, or PCN, is a dreaded sight for motorists returning to their vehicles. The AA has cautioned that some drivers pay these fines even when innocent to avoid the inconvenience. It stated that people apprehended legal repercussions if they challenged fines, fearing such actions.

The existing private parking industry Code of Practice, established by the British Parking Association and the International Parking Community in 2024, has spurred the government to present a formalized code to Parliament. The British Parking Association acknowledged the changes but noted that numerous principles in the new framework are already part of the existing voluntary code.

The new code will be implemented in England, Scotland, and Wales following the demand for independent oversight of the private parking industry. Transport Secretary Andy Burnham highlighted that motorists now possess enhanced protections against the worst private parking operators, as they will experience fewer aggressive tactics.

However, the RAC's head of policy, Simon Williams, called for the prohibition of debt recovery fees added to PCNs and advocated for the replacement of current industry-run appeals bodies with a single independent entity. The government pledged to consult on debt recovery fees and other recommendations from the Competition and Markets Authority.