Published 20 October 2026

The government has laid a new Private Parking Code of Practice before Parliament, setting out new rights for drivers who receive parking charges on private land, such as supermarket, retail park, hospital and station car parks. It follows a public consultation that ran from July to September 2025.

The code is not yet in force. Here is what it says, when it is expected to apply, and what you should do if you have a parking charge today.

The key changes at a glance

Under the new code, once it comes into force:

  • 5 minutes to decide. Drivers get a guaranteed 5 minutes on arrival to decide whether to park.
  • 10 minutes to leave. Drivers get 10 minutes to leave after their parking session ends.
  • Charges cancelled for things you cannot control. Charges are to be cancelled on appeal where you can show a situation like a medical emergency, a breakdown or a broken ticket machine, or an honest mistake such as stopping briefly to check directions.
  • A £20 maximum for small slip-ups. For mistakes like forgetting to display a permit, entering the wrong vehicle registration, or forgetting to confirm your registration in the machine, the charge is capped at £20 on appeal.
  • The £100 maximum stays. The maximum private parking charge is frozen at £100.
  • Real consequences for operators. Operators who do not comply risk losing access to DVLA keeper data, which they need to trace the registered keeper of a vehicle.
  • Independent oversight. A new independent Scrutiny and Oversight Board will review data on the charges operators issue and how they handle appeals.

The code will apply in England, Scotland and Wales. You can read the government's announcement on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-puts-the-brakes-on-rip-off-parking-charges-and-car-scams

When does the new code start?

Not yet. Under the Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019, Parliament has a 40-day period to consider the code after it is laid, during which either House can reject it. The government has said it will bring the code into force as soon as possible after that. No start date has been confirmed.

Until it starts, the new rights above do not apply to your parking charge. We will update this page when a start date is announced.

I have a parking charge now. What should I do?

Do not ignore it. Private parking charges can be pursued through the County Court, and ignoring court papers can lead to a County Court Judgment.

Check the deadlines on your notice. Notices set time limits for paying at a reduced rate and for appealing. Missing an appeal deadline can cost you your right to appeal at all.

Some protections already exist. Most private operators belong to the British Parking Association or the International Parking Community, which introduced a single industry code in October 2024. It already includes a 10-minute grace period and a reduced charge for some registration keying errors. It applies to new car parks now, and existing car parks must comply by the end of 2026.

Keep your evidence. Payment receipts, app screenshots, photos of signs, hospital appointment letters and breakdown records can all matter. If you paid but mistyped your registration, your proof of payment is the most important document you have.

What about debt recovery fees?

Many drivers find £60 or £70 added to their charge once it passes to a debt collector. The new code does not change this yet. The government has said it will consult next year on debt recovery fees, including whether to cut the existing £70 cap or scrap the fees altogether.

Private parking charge or council penalty charge?

They look similar but follow different rules. A Penalty Charge Notice comes from a council or Transport for London and is issued under statute. A Parking Charge Notice comes from a private company, such as a car park operator, and is enforced as a contract claim. The new code applies only to private parking charges. If your notice is from a council, the appeal process is different.

Frequently asked questions

Is the new private parking code law now?

No. It has been laid before Parliament but has not yet come into force.

Will the new rules apply to a charge I already have?

The government has not said the code will apply to past parking events. Assume your current charge is handled under the rules in place when you parked, unless an official start date and transition rules say otherwise.

Is £100 the most a private parking company can charge?

The new code keeps the maximum parking charge at £100. Debt recovery fees added later are a separate issue and are under review.

What if I typed my registration wrong when paying?

Under the new code, once in force, this kind of slip-up is capped at £20 on appeal. The existing industry code already provides for reduced charges for some keying errors. Keep your proof of payment.

Is a private parking charge a fine?

Not legally. Only councils and the police issue fines and penalty charges. A private parking charge is a claim that you broke the terms of a contract formed by parking. It can still be pursued in court, so it should never be ignored.

How TheLegalAid can help

Upload your parking charge notice and we will read it, identify what kind of notice it is, work out your deadline, and help you prepare a response based on your own evidence and the rules that apply to your case. We will keep our guidance up to date as the new code progresses through Parliament.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case depends on its own facts.