Private Parking Charges: New Rules Could Protect Drivers

Private Parking Fines: Government Prepares Major New Driver Rules

Private Parking Charges: Drivers Await New Rules as Government Prepares Code Private parking charges are back in the spotlight as the Government prepares to introduce a new Code of Practice aimed at strengthening protections for motorists across England, Scotland and Wales. The latest parliamentary questions have focused on what should happen when drivers face a private parking charge after payment facilities are unavailable or malfunctioning. In a response published on 8 September 2026, Housing Minister Florence Eshalomi said the Government is assessing consumer protections for motorists in these circumstances. The Government intends to set out its position in the new Private Parking Code of Practice, which it plans to lay before Parliament in autumn 2026. The issue comes as private parking continues to generate millions of charges. The Competition and Markets Authority said research suggested private operators issued around 14.4 million parking tickets during 2024/25 at locations including supermarkets, gyms, restaurants and retail parks. The CMA has also received complaints involving unclear signs, broken ticket machines and faulty parking apps. In July, it announced action aimed at improving how private parking operators deal with motorists and parking charge appeals. The regulator has written to private parking operators about concerns over appeals and additional charges, while also making recommendations to the Government for the new Code of Practice. The CMA has separately opened an investigation into Euro Car Parks over its practices at petrol stations and its handling of appeals. The investigation is ongoing and the CMA has made no finding that the company has breached consumer law. The Government's proposed Code is not a completely new idea. The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 requires a government code covering the operation and management of private parking facilities and guidance on appeals against private parking charges. A previous version of the Government's code was withdrawn in 2022 following a legal challenge. The Government then consulted on a new approach in 2025 before continuing work on the replacement code. The consultation considered a range of issues, including parking charge levels, appeals, consideration periods and the treatment of motorists who experience difficulties complying with parking conditions. For drivers, payment problems are particularly important because the Government is now specifically assessing protections where payment systems are unavailable or malfunctioning. The final position has not yet been published. The Government has also said that the new Code will be supported by an independent Scrutiny and Oversight Board and a UKAS-approved Certification Scheme. Compliance is intended to be linked to access to DVLA vehicle keeper data. Until the new rules are published, motorists should not assume that proposed changes are already in force. Drivers who experience a problem with a payment machine or parking app should keep photographs, receipts, payment confirmations and other evidence that could help if a charge is later disputed. The Government's autumn 2026 timetable means private parking rules could soon see another significant change. For drivers, the final Code will be particularly important in determining how operators handle payment problems, appeals and other disputes.