Plain-English guide · checked 23 October 2026
The new private parking rules, explained.
What the 2026 Private Parking Code of Practice and its Appeals Charter mean if you get a parking charge from a private company.
Who it applies to
Companies that run private car parks: supermarkets, retail parks, hospitals, stations, gyms, blocks of flats. Their tickets are usually called Parking Charge Notices. Operators that don't follow the Code risk losing access to DVLA keeper records, which is how they find out who to send letters to.
It does not cover council or TfL Penalty Charge Notices, or police fines. Those have their own processes.
Charges that should be cancelled on appeal
The Appeals Charter lists situations where an operator should cancel a charge if you appeal and can back it up:
- You paid, but made a minor keying error entering your registration.
- You paused briefly on a private road to check directions.
- You were directed to stop by the emergency services or the landholder.
- An unavoidable emergency, such as the sudden onset of illness for the driver or a passenger.
- A medical appointment that overran, or a childcare delay.
- Your vehicle broke down.
- Payment machines were out of order and there was no reasonable alternative way to pay.
- You were physically unable to leave in time, for example stuck in car park traffic, or you chose not to park.
- The operator broke the Code when issuing the charge, or made it impossible to comply.
Charges that should be cut to £20 at most
- A valid permit wasn't displayed, but you can show you had one.
- You paid the tariff, but for the wrong registration, such as a partner's or your previous car.
- You would have been allowed to park free, but didn't enter your registration at the terminal.
- A Blue Badge wasn't displayed, but you can supply a copy of a valid one.
New minimum times
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| Consideration period | At least 5 minutes to read the signs and decide whether to stay (not for pre-booked parking). |
| Grace period | At least 10 minutes after your parking time ends, except at short-stay sites (under 30 minutes). |
| Camera (ANPR) sites | No charge if you paid in full before leaving (within 24 hours for stays over 24 hours). |
Money
- The maximum charge stays at £100, with the 40% discount for paying early.
- Debt recovery fees stay capped at £70 for now; the government plans to consult again on these fees.
How appeals work
- Appeal to the operator first, usually within 28 days of the notice. Keep it short, factual and backed by evidence.
- If they say no, go to the free independent service: POPLA for British Parking Association members (usually within 28 days of the rejection) or the IAS for International Parking Community members (usually within 21 days).
- Don't ignore letters. Unpaid charges can lead to debt recovery letters and, in some cases, a county court claim. Citizens Advice can help for free.
Sources
- GOV.UK: PM puts the brakes on rip-off parking charges (October 2026)
- GOV.UK: Private Parking Code of Practice
- GOV.UK: Government response to the consultation
- Hansard: Private Parking Code of Practice statement, 20 October 2026
- Citizens Advice: Appealing a parking ticket
This guide summarises public information and is not legal advice. The final Code text and in-force date are set by the government.