Drivers will get new rights to challenge unfair private parking charges under rules announced on 20 October 2026.
Under the new Private Parking Code of Practice laid in Parliament on 20 October, motorists will have a guaranteed five minutes to decide whether to park, and 10 minutes to leave once their session ends.
Charges will be scrapped on appeal for honest mistakes, such as stopping briefly to check directions and for circumstances beyond a driver’s control, including a medical emergency, breakdown or broken ticket machine.
For smaller slip-ups, such as forgetting a parking permit, entering the wrong registration or forgetting to confirm it, drivers will face a maximum charge of £20 on appeal.
The Code also freezes the maximum parking charge at £100. Operators who do not comply risk losing access to DVLA data, making it far harder to identify the registered owner and pursue payment.
The Government said it will also consult next year on private parking debt recovery fees, including whether to cut the existing £70 cap or scrap the fees altogether.
The changes come as just under 17 million private parking charges were issued in the UK last year.
The Code also introduces a fully independent Scrutiny and Oversight Board and requires operators to share more information with government.
Alongside parking reforms, the Government said unscrupulous second-hand car dealers who wind back odometers — known as car clocking — will face tougher action. While already illegal, adding it to the official list of banned practices will make it easier for enforcers to crack down.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: Being a few minutes late back to your car or typing one digit of your numberplate wrong shouldn’t end with a hefty fine landing on your doormat. These charges leave people feeling ripped off and out of pocket, so I’m putting a stop to them.
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner said: Parking should be straightforward, not another everyday hassle. These changes mean drivers get a fairer deal, protected time to park and leave without fear of being unfairly charged.
Minister for Consumer Action Kate Dearden said: Nobody works hard for their money just to be deceived by a dodgy trader, and this is exactly the kind of everyday rip-off this government is going after.
Parliament will now scrutinise the new Code before ministers bring it into force as soon as possible.
