New 'grace period' rules for UK car parks before drivers get fined

New 'grace period' rules for UK car parks before drivers get fined
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


Drivers have been handed new rules over a "grace period" at private car parks. The British Parking Association (BPA) has helped put together a new panel that will clean up our parking code of practice and crack down on unfair parking fines.

Private parking companies have pledged to update their code of conduct after legal action was launched against a driver for taking more than five minutes to pay for using a car park. In relation to the five-minute rule, the organisations stressed that “many car parks … are pay on entry”, and it is important drivers “read signage and follow instructions”.

Two industry bodies representing the sector announced they have established a panel to revise the code to ensure it “protects genuine motorists who have difficulty making prompt payment on entry”. The British Parking Association (BPA) and the International Parking Community (IPC) said the panel will also “fast-track updates to the code to reflect technological advancements”.

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IPC chief executive Will Hurley said: “The creation of the panel shows the commitment the industry has to improving the reputation of our sector. We must not forget the valuable service we provide to ensure the vast majority of people can park when and where they need to.”

BPA chief executive Andrew Pester said: “We want to demonstrate that not only are we serious about raising standards but also making decisive changes to the code when issues arise." RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “The fact that the private parking industry is already having to review its own code, just months after it was introduced, shows it’s not working in drivers’ interests.

“This is yet another reason why the launch of the long-overdue official Private Parking Code of Practice, that became law five years ago, is very much needed. We fear that without this, drivers who use private car parks will continue to be worse off.”