Drivers have been warned of major parking changes set to be introduced next week, impacting the way millions of drivers are charged across the UK.
From February 17, drivers using private car parks equipped with ANPR or CCTV technology will benefit from new safeguards to prevent unnecessary fines.
The update comes as part of the sector's single Code of Practice, which aims to ensure fair treatment for motorists who have been facing genuine difficulties when making payments for parking.
The changes will only apply to privately owned car parks with the new safeguards aimed at protecting drivers who had previously been fined under the notorious "five-minute parking rule".
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Under the changes, the five-minute parking rule will be scrapped
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It follows previous cases of drivers being fined thousands of pounds for breaking the five-minute rule with some facing penalties of£2,000. The range of cases prompted an outcry from the public and led the parking industry to make changes.
Earlier this year, the British Parking Association and International Parking Community introduced the Private Parking Scrutiny and Advice Panel which hopes to offer more protection for motorists, although it still requires drivers to carefully read and follow parking signage rules.
The update aims to align the self-regulated parking sector with modern technology while improving transparency for drivers.
The panel, which has not announced its members yet, will engage with consumer groups in early 2025 and said it is committed to reviewing any emerging parking issues promptly.
The Private Code of Practice was initially published in October 2024 having been based on the Government's withdrawn Code in 2022.
The previous proposals detailed: "Private firms issue roughly 22,000 parking tickets every day, often adopting a labyrinthine system of misleading and confusing signage, opaque appeals services, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees designed to extort money from motorists.
"Apart from their inherent unfairness, these practices damage our high streets, our towns and our city centres. We are determined to bring them to an end."
The Code failed to pass through Parliament, with Labour now set to launch a consultation on the private parking rules later this year.
According to experts, unlike the Government's approach of reviewing the Code every two years, the panel will take a more "responsive oversight".
Andrew Pester, Chief Executive of the British Parking Association, said: "It is a real testament to the PPSAP 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. This change is another important step in achieving this."
Will Hurley, CEO of the International Parking Community, added that it was important to "identify and resolve issues quickly".
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The panel hopes to crack down on the number of drivers being unfairly fined for parking
GETTYHe said: "I am pleased that the panel has acted swiftly to introduce safeguards for motorists. It is important drivers play their part by reading and following instructions on signage when parking their vehicle. Our sector is making significant strides in elevating standards."
Hurley noted that the single Code and Panel creation "reflects the sector's positive progress and commitment to fairness". But before the changes come into effect, motorists who receive parking charges before February 17 are encouraged to contact their parking operator directly about their specific case.
