Drivers Express Frustration Over Delayed Private Parking Code
On average, drivers in Britain are getting hit with over 41,000 parking tickets per day by private companies.
Motorists all over the UK are feeling frustrated as the legislation enforcing a private parking code of practice is still not in effect, despite being law for over five years.
The RAC, a British automotive services company, reported that 84 percent of drivers believe it is unfair that the government has not enforced the code.
The proposed government code aimed to reduce fines, offer discounts for early payments, and eliminate aggressive language on tickets. However, legal challenges from parking firms led to the temporary withdrawal of the code in June 2022.
A survey by the RAC revealed that over half of drivers think parking companies’ enforcement policies are too harsh, and only 18 percent believe they are necessary to maintain order.
Simon Williams, RAC Head of Policy, expressed concerns about the operations of private parking companies and stressed the need for the government-backed code of practice to ensure fairness.
Industry Disagreements
Private parking operators are currently not regulated by a statutory body. The British Parking Association (BPA) and the International Parking Community introduced their own code of practice earlier this year to set rules regarding fines, appeal processes, and clear signage.
Williams stated that the industry code may not be sufficient for drivers’ interests and lacks legal backing. The BPA defended the industry code, emphasizing its clarity on parking charge caps and penalties for non-compliance.
Private parking operators were supposed to adopt the new code by October, with full compliance required by December 2026. The average daily cost to drivers from parking tickets issued by private companies exceeds £4.1 million, as per analysis by the PA news agency and RAC.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government spokesperson reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding drivers and promised to provide further details on the private parking code of practice.
PA Media contributed to this report.
