Burnham introduces rules to curb private parking fines

According to the BBC, Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced new rules to outlaw unfair private parking fines across the UK. According to the Guardian, the new code guarantees drivers five minutes to decide whether to park and ten minutes to leave after a session ends before a fine can be issued.

According to the Guardian, the rules cancel charges for honest mistakes such as stopping to check directions, medical emergencies or vehicle breakdowns. According to the BBC, for minor slip‑ups—such as forgetting a parking permit or entering the wrong registration—drivers will face a maximum appeal charge of £20.

The overall maximum charge remains £100, the same limit as the current private parking Code of Practice, and operators who do not comply risk losing access to DVLA data. According to the Guardian, 17 million private parking tickets were issued in 2025/26, up 17% from the previous year.

The new code will apply in England, Scotland and Wales after motorists demanded independent oversight of the private parking industry. The British Parking Association welcomed the changes, saying many principles were already reflected in the existing voluntary Code of Practice.