The authors of a newly introduced code of practice for private parking companies are committed to raising standards and providing greater consistency for the benefit of motorists.
This unified code of practice, developed collaboratively by the British Parking Association (BPA) and the International Parking Community (IPC), aims to standardise operations across the entire private parking sector.
Key features of the new code include a 10-minute grace period for motorists, a requirement for operators to have clear signage, and a cap on parking charges at £100, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.
Andrew Pester, BPA Chief Executive, described the new code as a key milestone for the industry, stating it will help deliver fairer and more consistent parking standards for motorists. "We will continue to push for a positive outcome for all," he added.
Currently, private parking companies issue over 35,000 parking tickets daily. According to the RAC Foundation, at least 9.7 million tickets were issued in Britain between April and December of last year.
Historically, private parking companies have faced criticism for unclear signage, unreasonable fees, and aggressive debt collection practices. A proposed legislation that would have reduced the cap on most tickets to £50 and established a fairer appeals system was withdrawn by the government in 2022 following a legal challenge by private parking companies.
Jack Cousens, Head of Roads Policy at the AA, expressed disappointment with the new code, calling it "watered down" and falling "far short of the standards the AA, Government, and consumer groups have called for over many years." He emphasised the need for capping charges and removing debt recovery fees, which he believes are crucial for protecting innocent drivers from predatory practices in private car parks.
The new code of practice will come into effect on October 1, 2024. However, private parking operators will have until December 2026 to fully comply with the new regulations.