New parking code could give motorists 10-minute grace period in private car parks

Private parking firms may have to offer motorists a 10-minute grace period when they overstay their ticket, according to new government proposals.

The proposals, which involves all private car parks in England, Scotland and Wales being forced to wait 10 minutes after the time on a parking ticket has run out before giving a late fine, was put forward by Robert Jenrick MP.

Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, said: “For too long, rogue parking firms have operated in an unregulated industry, handing out unjust fines.”

This grace period isn’t an entirely new prospect, as all council-owned car parks in England have had the option to wait 10 minutes before issuing a ticket since 2015. However, this practice is currently voluntary for private car park operators.

In the event these practices are adopted, they will form part of the Parking Code of Practice. Announced earlier this year, it aims to crack down on private parking firms operating in an unfair manner.

The British Standards Institution has been appointed to work with consumer groups and the industry to form the ‘first ever compulsory Code of Practice for private parking firms’.

Jenrick added: “The new Code will restore common sense to the way parking fines are handed out, encourage people back on to our high-streets and crack down on dodgy operators.”