The way private parking fines work in Britain is about to change, with new rules set to give drivers a fairer deal when it comes to penalty charges.

These changes could come into effect as soon as February 2025, offering drivers more time to pay for their parking.

Relaxing the ‘Five-Minute Rule’

Currently, drivers are required to pay for parking within five minutes of arriving at a car park, or they risk a penalty charge.

However, this strict rule could soon be relaxed, allowing for a little more leeway.

Will Hurley, CEO of the International Parking Community (IPC), confirmed that the five-minute rule could be adjusted as early as next month.

This move could prevent situations like the one faced by Rosey Hudson, a professional bodybuilder and makeup artist from Derby, who was charged nearly £2,000 after repeatedly taking more than five minutes to pay for her parking.

According to Hudson, there was no working ticket machine at the location, and the poor reception in the area made it difficult for her to buy a ticket on her phone without walking some distance.

Strengthening Enforcement of Parking Codes

Another change in the pipeline is the creation of a new panel to oversee private parking companies and make sure they stick to their industry’s self-regulated code of practice.

This comes after research from the RAC Foundation revealed that private parking tickets cost UK drivers around £4.1 million per day.

Critics argue that many private parking companies have been imposing unfair charges, installing confusing signs, and using aggressive tactics to collect penalties.

Rod Dennis, a senior policy officer at the RAC, pointed out that the private parking industry’s self-regulation hasn’t been working in favor of drivers.

He highlighted the need for a more formal and effective code of practice, which has been delayed for years.

Without such a system in place, drivers will continue to face unfair penalties, he warns.

Moving Toward a Fairer System

To address these concerns, the IPC and the British Parking Association are working together to amend the parking code, with a focus on adapting it to technological advancements.

Though it’s still unclear exactly how long the grace period will be, there’s a good chance the revised rule will extend the time allowed for paying parking fees, making the system fairer for drivers.

As these changes unfold, it’s clear that the government and parking authorities are starting to take a closer look at the practices of private parking companies.

This overhaul could mark a significant step forward in ensuring that the system works more equitably for all drivers.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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