- Changes to parking charges and debt recovery fees are being
considered under measures to better regulate the private parking
industry
- Government to explore reducing parking charges from £100
limit
- The Government has today launched an eight-week call for
evidence to make private parking fairer for all
The Government has taken a key step in making sure that drivers’
interests are protected when using private car parks by launching
an eight-week call for evidence on the
Private Parking Code of Practice, focusing on the impact of
changes to charges and debt recovery fees.
Options under consideration include reducing the current £100
charge limit to £50 which would halve parking charges for
millions of motorists, as well as potentially banning debt
recovery fees altogether, which are currently as much as £70, or
retaining existing limits.
The call for evidence on charges and debt recovery paves the way
for the development of the final Private Parking Code of
Practice, which when introduced aims to ensure fewer drivers are
penalised unfairly and tackle issues like confusing and
misleading signs, and lack of grace periods. It will ensure a
simpler, fairer and more transparent industry, and introduce a
fairer appeals process.
Levelling Up Secretary said:
Millions of people across the country use private car parks and
we want this to continue without them having the fear of being
slapped with unfair and costly charges.
Our new Private Parking Code of Practice will put this right,
delivering a much fairer system for drivers and industry - and
today’s call for evidence is an important part of shaping this
policy. I encourage everyone to come forward and have their say.
The draft Impact Assessment considers the following five
proposals and how they will impact the sector:
- Retain £100 charge limit with a 40% discount for paying
within 14 days, with the debt recovery fees cap at £70.
- Charges set at two levels depending on seriousness of offence
with £50/70 for England and Wales (outside London), £80/£130 in
London and £80/100 for Scotland, with a 50% discount for paying
within 14 days. Debt recovery fees would be reduced to 30% of
charge levels.
- Same as the second option but debt recovery fees would be
banned.
- Charges set at two levels depending on seriousness of offence
at £70/£100, with the discount for paying within 14 days
remaining at 40%. Debt recovery fees would be reduced to 30% of
charge levels.
- Same as the fourth option but debt recovery fees would be
banned.
The call for evidence is focused on understanding the
implications of the measures proposed to address issues in the
private parking industry, and to inform decisions on parking
charges and debt recovery fees.
The measures will be a major boost to millions of motorists in
England, Scotland and Wales and will help to draw people back to
their local high streets.
A draft Impact Assessment has been published alongside the call
for evidence, with contributions open until 24 September 2023. A
further consultation is then planned on the options for parking
charges and debt recovery fees.
Minister for Levelling Up said:
We all know how annoying parking can be – from driving around
endlessly to being met with complicated signs and impossible
terms and conditions.
It’s needlessly confusing, and that’s why we’re pushing ahead
with the Private Parking Code of Practice to create a fairer
system.
Once introduced, the Private Parking Code of Practice – required
by the Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 – will allow drivers
to more easily challenge an unfair parking charge through a new
independent appeals service, and all private parking operators
will also have to follow the Code.
