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Delivering Fairer Parking

Greg’s Law ‘Clamps’ Rogue Parking Firms

  • Government Code of Practice launched to crackdown on cowboy private car parking firms
  • New rules follow a law change introduced in Parliament by East Yorkshire MP Sir Greg Knight
  • Fines cut by up to 50% in most areas across England, Wales and Scotland
  • New Appeals Charter will eliminate fines for motorists who make genuine errors or have mitigating circumstances
  • Additional rip-off debt collection fees banned
  • Rogue operators who do not follow the Code by the end of 2023 could be banned from accessing Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) data

Motorists are set to benefit from a major crackdown on rogue parking firms which will see fines slashed and a clearer and fairer appeals system created.

A new package of measures announced in February 2022 will protect drivers from unfair and extortionate charges, with a new code of practice to ensure cowboy private parking firms operate reasonably.

The government’s new Parking Code of Practice, introduced under the provisions of Sir Greg Knight’s Parking (Code of Practice) Act, will see parking fines cut by up to 50% in the majority of cases, saving motorists millions of pounds each year.

The proposals include a maximum cap for parking fines, a ten-minute grace period before a late fine can be issued, and a requirement for parking firms to clearly display pricing and terms and conditions.

In England outside of London and in Wales, charges will be reduced from £100 to £70 or £50, depending on the seriousness of the breach.

Currently, private parking firms are able to hide behind non-specific, pseudo-legal and aggressive language when pursuing motorists. The code of practice will provide new higher standards.

Rogue firms which break these rules could be barred from requesting Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) data, making them unable to pursue motorists for their charges.

A new, simpler appeals process is also being created, to make it easier for disputed fines to be cancelled.

The measures will be a major boost to millions of motorists in England, Scotland and Wales and will eliminate the risk of being unfairly penalised when parking.

Sir Greg said “Some car park providers are honest and fair but many unscrupulous rogues have undermined the sector with bad practice. I warmly welcome the government’s action in implementing a crackdown authorised by my Act of Parliament, which will prevent motorists being unjustly treated in future and will make parking a vehicle a fairer experience for all.” 

“Fairer Parking is a Step Nearer” says Greg

East Yorkshire MP Sir Greg Knight has welcomed the publication of the new draft code of practice to regulate private parking companies, mandated by his Private Member’s legislation, the Parking (Code of Practice) Act.

Greg’s Act, which enjoys cross-party support, requires the government to issue a statutory Code of Practice for private parking companies, which will prevent motorists being unfairly treated in future.

Sir Greg said: “The clear majority of car park providers are honest and fair but unscrupulous rogues are undermining the whole sector with bad practice”.

“Some dodgy operators are engaging in practices such as unclear signage, fining people whilst they are getting change to pay for parking and penalty notices being issued despite payment machines being out of order.  Currently there is no legally binding code to prevent this”.

“I am delighted that the Government has moved a step nearer to making parking fairer for motorists by publishing the draft Code required by my act”.

The proposals include, a maximum cap for parking fines, a ten-minute grace period before a late fine can be issued and a requirement for parking firms to clearly display pricing and terms and conditions.

Fresh measures proposed in the new Code and Framework include the creation of a mandatory single Appeals Service and Appeals Charter for motorists to turn to if they are unfairly fined. Under options set out in the Appeals Charter, motorists could be able to appeal their fine and see it reduced to a maximum of £20, or cancelled entirely.

Rogue firms which break the Code could be barred from requesting Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) data, making them unable to pursue motorists for their charges through the post.

Sir Greg’s Parking (Code of Practice) Act became law in March 2019 and builds on action the government has already taken to tackle rogue parking firms, including banning wheel clamping and towing and over-zealous parking enforcement by councils.