New parking rules launching today will impact how millions of drivers pay across the UK​

The update follows several cases which saw drivers charged extortionate amounts for taking longer than five minutes to pay for parking with one case seeing a motorist charged nearly £2,000.

The new safeguards apply to private car parks monitored by ANPR or CCTV cameras, ensuring drivers who face genuine difficulties in paying within short time frames are treated fairly.

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The changes form part of the British Parking Associations' Private Parking Code of Practice, overseen by the newly established Private Parking Scrutiny and Advice Panel.

The case which sparked the changes highlighted concerns about the so-called "five-minute rule" at private car parks, where drivers could be penalised if they didn't complete payment within minutes of arrival.

In response to the penalties, MP for Derby South, Baggy Shanker, along with other MPs, wrote to the Government in January calling for better protection for drivers through a statutory code of practice.

The private parking sector acted with new rules which now mean that drivers will not receive parking charges as long as they pay in full for their stay before leaving camera-monitored private car parks.

The association noted that the changes do not apply to council-run car parks or private car parks without ANPR or CCTV monitoring.

Drivers must still pay for their entire parking stay, calculated from the moment they enter the car park with those who underpay risking charges.

The rules also won't protect motorists if payment machines or apps are not working, though the International Parking Community advises appealing charges in these cases.

The changes only apply to parking operators who are members of either the British Parking Association or International Parking Community trade bodies. However, charges issued before today that have already been paid cannot be appealed under the new rules.

Andrew Pester, Chief Executive of the British Parking Association said: "It is a real testament to the [panel] that this change has been implemented so efficiently.

"The parking sector is always striving to ensure it operates in the interest of compliant motorists and to ensure that parking is fairly managed for all."

Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, has criticised today's changes as "an attempt for the private parking industry to look fair" and expressed concerns about their practical implementation.

The RAC is calling for the Government to introduce its statutory Private Parking Code of Practice, which was initially introduced in 2019 but withdrawn in 2022 following legal challenges.

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The statutory code would have included a cap on parking charge fees of £50 and the removal of additional debt recovery fees. The Government confirmed earlier this month it will launch a new consultation on plans to regulate the industry later this year.

However, campaigners argue this timeline is too slow, with MPs including Baggy Shanker writing to the Government calling for urgent implementation of statutory protections for drivers.

Rhydian Jones, Confused.com car insurance expert, said: "With some having received fines of up to £2,000 in private car parks, it’s positive to see that the Private Parking Scrutiny and Advice Panel (PPSAP) is giving drivers more flexibility and fairness.

"But it’s also important that drivers always make sure they read parking signs carefully so they don’t get caught out. They should also avoid becoming too relaxed in the face of these changes, as they could still be at risk of receiving a parking fine if they don’t comply."