The Private Parking Code of Practice | March 2022

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The Government published it’s new Private Parking Code of Practice on 7th February, setting out requirements for parking operators when enforcing restrictions. The Code was developed through consultation with consumer and industry representatives, appointed by the British Standards Institute. We welcome the increase in protections for motorists that the Code provides.

Key components of the Code include:· 

  • Compulsory 10 minute grace period

  • Higher standards for signage and surface markings

  • Banning the use of aggressive and pseudo-legal language

  • Prohibiting the levy of additional enforcement fees by parking operators and Debt Recovery Agency’s

Parking operators are expected to update processes and procedures as quickly as possible, and will need to fully adhere to the Code ahead of the launch of the single parking appeals service in 2024. Parking operators who fail to follow the Code could be banned from issuing parking charges indefinitely. For the time being, POPLA continue to consider parking appeals in line with the British Parking Associations Code of Practice.

Other changes include moves to align private parking charges more closely with Local Authority Penalty Charge Notices. Whilst this is aimed at making them more proportionate to ‘the level of harm caused’, it’s recognised that it will take some time to implement this change.

For more information please refer to the following links: