UK Government Sets New Private Parking Code After 7 Years of Delay

The UK government has introduced a new Private Parking Code of Practice after seven years of development and regulatory delays. The code, first initiated by an act of Parliament in 2019 but withdrawn in 2022 due to industry resistance, was finally implemented by the British Parking Association and the International Parking Community in 2024, with updates made last year.

Angela Rayner, communities and housing secretary, stated that parking should not be a profit-making scheme, emphasizing the government’s intention to enforce stricter regulations and independent oversight over the private parking industry in England, Scotland, and Wales. The code freezes parking fine price caps, maintaining deterrent levels for non-compliance while avoiding reductions in fines. The British Parking Association welcomed the changes as a means to increase trust and encourage behavioral change by keeping fines at around £100 or more.

However, the AA and the RAC have indicated the new code is a positive but incomplete step. They called for further reforms, including a ban on debt recovery fees and a unified independent appeals body. The government plans to consult on these issues, responding to recommendations from the Competition and Markets Authority. The new code aims to reduce unfair private parking charges and improve motorists' ability to challenge tickets.

This matters for ordinary drivers as it introduces formal government rules over private parking enforcement, stabilizes fine levels, and promises future discussions on debt recovery fees, potentially lowering costs and improving fairness in private parking disputes.