New private parking code to launch later this year that could save drivers thousands in fines - but critics warn it avoids the real issues

Private parking operators will have to adhere to higher standards and become more transparent, under a new code of practice introduced by the International Parking Community (IPC) and British Parking Association (BPA).

Motorists are set to benefit from a new 10-minute grace period during which they will not be charged, as well as new standards for signage and a single set of rules for parking operators on private land.

The new rules, set to be implemented from October, will come into force across the private parking sector, and seek to prevent drivers from being fleeced by unfair car parking operators.

However, motor industry insiders say it ‘conveniently avoids some of the biggest issues’ with unscrupulous private parking operators who pray on innocent drivers.

Hefty fines: Penalty charges issued by private parking operators can reach as much as £100

The introduction of an appeals charter will also set out ‘clear and unvarying parameters’ for appeals against parking charges when there are mitigating circumstances, the two operators – surprisingly – announced on Friday.

The code will also ensure that the deterrent for abusing Blue Badge parking bays or selfish parking will not be decreased, in order to protect ‘the most vulnerable in society’, the IPC said.

It added that the new code will be published in June ahead of its implementation in October. Operators are expected to be fully compliant with the rules by late 2026.

Will Hurley, chief executive officer of the IPC said: ‘This is a long-awaited day, the sector has been calling for a single Code of Practice for a long time and today we are proud to be committing to it.

‘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.’

The new code from the IPC comes despite the Private Parking Code of Practice being shelved by the Government last year following a consultation period.

“Some might say it is jumping before being pushed ” Nicholas Lyes, IAM RoadSmart 

A major part of the Government bill covered proposed caps to penalty charges and debt recovery fees that are continually stinging motorists, which are absent from the new code of practice.

However there has been little progress with the code after a legal challenge was made by parking companies.

While the IPC code may mean that some change is on its way, many of the issues put forward in the Government’s code have not been addressed.

Private parking reform has long been campaigned for by This is Money, with Rishi Sunak promising in 2019: ‘The Government is putting an end to the bad behaviour of rogue parking operators for good.’

READ MORE: Why is it taking so long to curb the private parking sharks asks LEE BOYCE? Action was promised years ago – yet drivers are still being clobbered 

In the meantime, private operators are issuing 35,000 parking tickets and the DVLA is making around £90,000 every day by selling motorist’s details so that private firms can issue tickets in the post.

Simon Williams, head of policy at RAC said: ‘We’re flabbergasted that the BPA and IPC have suddenly announced plans to introduce their own ‘private parking code’ after doing all they can over the last five years to prevent the official Government Code created by an Act of Parliament coming into force.

‘While there are clearly some positive elements to what the private parking industry is proposing, it conveniently avoids some of the biggest issues around caps on penalty charges and debt recovery fees which badly need to be addressed to prevent drivers being taken advantage of.

‘These elements, alongside a formal appeals process, are currently being worked on by the Government and in our opinion can’t come soon enough. Nothing should stand in the way of the official Code, least of all a new industry scheme which muddies the waters and risks confusing drivers.’

He added: ‘For the private parking industry to all of a sudden paint themselves as being whiter than white with their own ‘code’ and appeals charter takes irony to another level.’

Similarly, Nicholas Lyes, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and standards, told This is Money: ‘Drivers will wonder what has taken parking associations so long to publish the new code and no matter how they might dress it up, this is primarily being driven by new laws around the Government-led Parking Code of Practice, rather than a self-proclaimed gesture of being fairer to motorists.

‘Some might say it is jumping before being pushed.’