Yahoo News New car parking rules in England as drivers given 'grace period'
A new loophole in car parking regulations could soon see drivers avoid getting hit with hefty fines. The upcoming Code of Practice is set to introduce new driving rules, aimed at raising standards for motorists amidst the ongoing battle against driver penalties.
The upcoming Code of Practice will include a mandatory 10-minute grace period for road users, which means that motorists who slightly overstay their parking tickets will be spared from immediate fines, according to BirminghamLive.
Will Hurley, chief executive officer of the International Parking Community (IPC), said: "The single code will benefit all compliant motorists and will present clear consequences for those who decide to break the rules. The sector has listened to the motoring community and today we are acting."
Read more:
Citizens Advice offers guidance on its website, reassuring drivers they should not be hit with a ticket immediately. It said: "It's worth appealing if you were only 5 or 10 minutes late. You should be given a few minutes after your parking runs out called a 'grace period'.
"ATA members must give you an extra 10 minutes before giving you a Parking Charge Notice as should the council before giving you a Penalty Charge Notice. You should also be given a reasonable amount of time to leave a car park if you decide not to park.
"A parking company might disagree with your appeal if they time your stay from the moment you entered the car park, rather than from when you parked. It's still worth appealing because it's free to informally appeal and you have to do this before you can appeal to an independent tribunal or trade association.
A Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) or an Excess Charge Notice (ECN) is typically handed out by the council on public land, like a high street or council car park. Meanwhile, a Parking Charge Notice is given by a landowner or parking company on private land, such as a supermarket car park.
On red routes, white zig zags or where the police manage parking, a Fixed Penalty Notice is issued by the police.
⚠️ Want the latest Devon breaking news and top stories first? Click here to join our WhatsApp group. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice ⚠️
