Private parking facilities implement 5-minute rule policy in response to demand for official regulations.
According to recent analysis of the sector, private parking companies issue an average of 41,000 parking tickets a day.
Private parking operators will review how to support drivers struggling to pay for parking on time, with a key focus on the “five-minute payment rule,” amidst growing concerns over the lack of a government-backed code of practice.
Two industry bodies, representing private parking firms, announced on Monday the launch of a new panel to oversee the code practice adopted by the industry.
It comes after a driver, Rosey Hudson, was being taken to court by a private parking company for £1,906 after she repeatedly took longer than 5 minutes to pay for parking at a Derby carpark.
The British Parking Association (BPA) and the International Parking Community (IPC) stated that the new panel will urgently review cases where genuine motorists “have difficulty making prompt payment on entry.”
The panel will address issues like the “5-minute payment rule,” monitor adjudicator decisions, enforce sanctions, and work with consumer groups and the government for a full code review by April 2025.
BPA Chief Executive Andrew Pester emphasized that the initiative is an “important step in delivering consistency to the oversight” of private parking rules.
Industry Code
The private parking sector has faced criticism from motorists for “heavy-handed” enforcement policies, including the use of misleading and confusing signs, aggressive debt collection, and unreasonable fees.
Frustration is also growing over the absence of an official government-backed code of practice. The government’s code was introduced in 2019 legislation but temporarily withdrawn in 2022 after several parking firms launched two legal challenges against it.
Private parking operators introduced their own single code of practice in June, which includes a set of rules such as allowing a 10-minute grace period before handing out fines to drivers.
It also capped parking charges at £100 and reduced them to £60 if paid within 14 days. The code includes an “appeals charter” and provisions for clear signage to help drivers navigate parking on private land.
Calls for Independent Regulation
IPC boss, Will Hurley, stated that the new panel to oversee the code implementation demonstrates the industry’s commitment to improving its reputation.
The RAC suggests that the industry’s code of practice is “unlikely to be enough” or to “be worded in the interests of drivers.”
Brian Gregory, policy director at the Alliance of British Drivers, shared with The Epoch Times that overseeing the industry’s code meant the same people were in charge of the regulations.
He emphasized the need for an independent parking regulator to “act in a fair and equitable manner and not be tied to the parking industry or involved in profiteering from parking fees.”
According to analysis by the PA news agency and RAC, around 3.8 million tickets were issued to motorists between July and September.
The average of over 41,000 parking tickets a day by private companies could drive the daily cost to drivers up to £4.1 million.
Gregory also pointed out that escalated charges discourage people from parking.
He highlighted the impact of increased congestion due to motorists driving around to find suitable parking spaces and how this affects town centers and the economy negatively.
He called on the government to appoint an independent parking regulator to ensure fair treatment for all parties involved.
The government mentioned that plans for a new code of practice will be announced “in due course.”
“We understand the concerns raised by drivers and will provide further details on the private parking code of practice soon,” stated a spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government.
