An updated code of practice for parking charges is set to impact forecourt operators who enforce parking rules at their sites, with more leniency being required for drivers.
While predominantly aimed at private parking firms, the new guidance, which is being laid before parliament, will require drivers to be given a 10-minute grace period to leave a site after a parking session has ended, potentially impacting forecourt operators who allow customers up to 30 minutes of parking and enforce their rules with ANPR cameras and penalty charges.
Drivers who are undergoing a medical emergency, or whose vehicles have broken down, would also be exempted from penalties, while the current £100 cap for penalties would be frozen at this price.
Firms that fail to abide by the code would have their ability to trace vehicle-keeper data via number plates withdrawn by blocking their access to the DVLA’s records.
The new code has been welcomed by Vars Technology, which, as well as offering forecourt security systems, provides parking management services to forecourt operators and other firms.
John Garnett, a director with the company comments: “We welcome the new Private Parking Code of Practice, because it re-affirms to us that we are already doing the right things. Many of the new rules being applied to the private parking industry as a whole were already required of members of the British Parking Association, including offering a 10-minute grace period and a lower maximum fee for minor mistakes.
“Applying the Code of Practice across the industry as a whole ensures everyone follows the same set of rules, and that those rules are applied fairly for motorists. We are already regularly audited to ensure that we are meeting the requirements of the BPA, so for us today’s announcement doesn’t really have much impact.”
No date has been given for when the rules come into force. A similar piece of legislation failed to gain approval in 2022 following legal challenges from the parking sector, while Rishi Sunak announced a desire to implement comparable measures back in 2019 when he was a junior minister.
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.
“We are introducing clearer rules, longer grace periods and lower charges for genuine mistakes, while going after the deliberate scams that rip drivers off.”
