Burnham vows end to 'rip-off parking charges' under new rules

Image source, PA MediaByFaarea MasudBusiness reporterPublished6 hours agoDrivers will be given the right to challenge "rip off" private parking charges and more grace when using private providers under new rules set out by Andy Burnham.

The Prime Minister announced the changes after drivers repeatedly raised concerns penalties issued by private providers were too harsh and left motorists unfairly penalised.

In one case, a woman was taken to court in a £1,906 claim after taking longer than five minutes to pay at a car park in Derby. The charge was eventually dropped.

Private car parks already have an industry code of practice, but the RAC motoring group said the government's changes would protect drivers from the "poor practices of some private parking companies".

Burnham, the prime minister, said: "Being a few minutes late back to your car or typing one digit of your numberplate wrong shouldn't end with a hefty fine landing on your doormat.

"These charges leave people feeling ripped off and out of pocket, so I'm putting a stop to them."

Operators who do not comply risk losing access to DVLA data, making it far more difficult to pursue the car's owner even if they do issue a charge.

Private car parks are different to council-owned car parks and streets. RAC analysis of government data showed a record 17 million private parking tickets were issued in 2025/2026 - a 17% increase from a year earlier.

With each charge worth up to £100, the data, analysed by the Press Association and the RAC Foundation, suggests drivers could collectively face private parking charges worth more than £4.6m each day.

The yellow and black envelope of a Penalty Charge Notice, or PCN, is a dreaded sight for motorists returning to their car.

The AA has warned some drivers pay up even if they have done nothing wrong, just to avoid the hassle. It said people felt they would not get a fair hearing if they appealed fines, with many saying they feared legal action.

The current private parking industry Code of Practice, created by the British Parking Association and the International Parking Community, was introduced in 2024.