UK government introduces new rules to curb excessive private parking fines

Andy Burnham declared that drivers will now have the right to challenge "rip-off" private parking charges under a fresh code of practice. Motorists will receive a guaranteed five-minute period to decide whether to stay and a ten-minute window to exit without incurring a penalty. Penalties will be waived for circumstances beyond the driver’s control, such as vehicle breakdowns, medical emergencies, or faulty ticket machines, and for simple errors like mistyping a number plate.

The maximum charge on appeal will be limited to £20 for minor slip-ups, while the overall cap on private parking fines will remain at £100. Operators that fail to comply risk losing access to DVLA data, hampering their ability to chase owners. The reforms respond to a record 17 million private parking tickets issued in 2025/26, which the RAC estimates could amount to more than £4.6 million in daily charges.