Government slams the brakes on unfair private parking fees – is the overcharging finally over?

If you’ve ever been frustrated by confusing parking rules or surprise fines from private car parks, relief is coming soon. The government is launching a consultation on a strengthened Private Parking Code of Practice to make private parking fairer and less stressful for drivers.

More than 35 million people across the UK rely on cars every day, whether for commuting, shopping, or caring for loved ones. Yet, many have felt trapped by confusing parking rules and hefty penalties that often seem unjust.

“From shopping on your local high street to visiting a loved one in hospital, parking is part of everyday life. But too many people are being unfairly penalised,” says local growth minister Alex Norris. “That’s why our Code will tackle misleading tactics and confusing processes, bringing vital oversight and transparency to raise standards across the board.”

The new rules the government is considering would make sure signs are easy to understand, give you a fair grace period before any fines kick in, and offer extra help to people in tough spots – for example, if you’re at a hospital appointment and have no choice but to break the parking rules.

They’re also aiming to prevent penalties caused by simple issues such as payment machine errors, accidental typos, or bad phone signals.

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Right now, the number of parking fines from private operators is skyrocketing: nearly 13 million requests were made last year, a huge jump since 2012. But the current system doesn’t have enough checks to stop some firms from charging unfairly or making mistakes.

Under the new plans, companies who don’t play by the rules could lose access to driver information they need to send fines. This means better protection for you, while letting honest parking operators keep things running smoothly and affordably.

But some groups think the government could be doing more.

Jack Cousens, from The AA, says: “This consultation won’t be a win for drivers. The new penalty cap is higher than before, and fees like debt recovery are still in place. We’re calling on drivers to speak up and share their stories. If the government hears how much drivers dislike these shark-like businesses, maybe they’ll take stronger action.”

Similarly, Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, adds: “We really need this new parking code to happen to protect drivers properly. The private parking industry blocked it for years, so now it’s crucial the government makes sure the new rules really work.”

Industry body, the British Parking Association, said in a statement: “We believe parking systems must strike a balance: they should deter selfish and anti-social behaviour, but they must also be fair, proportionate and transparent.

“That’s why we will continue to work closely with the government throughout this consultation, to help deliver a code that works for everyone: drivers, communities and responsible operators.”

The government kicked off an eight-week consultation and wants to hear from you. They’re asking what you think about things such as fair limits on parking fines and extra fees, making appeals easier, and getting parking companies to share data so the rules can keep getting better. It’s a great chance to have your say and help make parking fairer for everyone.

The consultation is available on the UK government’s website.

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