The government has announced a new package of measures that will protect drivers from unfair and extortionate charges, with a new Code of Practice to help keep cowboy private parking firms in check.
The government’s Parking Code of Practice will see parking fines cut by up to 50% in the majority of cases, saving motorists millions of pounds each year.
The proposals include a maximum cap for parking fines, a 10-minute grace period before a late fine can be issued, and a requirement for parking firms to clearly display pricing and terms and conditions. In England outside of London and in Wales, charges will be reduced from £100 to £70 or £50, depending on the seriousness of the breach.
Private firms which breach the new Code could even be barred from collecting fines from motorists at all.
Currently, private parking firms are able to hide behind non-specific, pseudo-legal and aggressive language when pursuing motorists. The Code of Practice will provide new higher standards. Rogue firms which break these rules could be barred from requesting Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) data, making them unable to pursue motorists for their charges through the post.
A new, simpler appeals process is also being created, to make it easier for disputed fines to be cancelled.
Richard Fuller MP said:
I welcome the government's new measures to crack down on private parking charges – making it fairer for motorists and tougher on rogue parking operators.
