From February 17, motorists using private car parks with fixed camera technology will no longer face immediate fines if they fail to pay within five minutes. The new regulation follows reports of drivers being penalised due to minor payment delays, often caused by technical issues.
The Private Parking Scrutiny and Advice Panel (PPSAP) has introduced this measure to ensure a fairer approach for motorists who struggle to pay on time due to factors beyond their control. According to industry experts, this change marks an important step in improving private parking management while maintaining compliance expectations.
Drivers Granted More Leeway Amid Controversial Private Parking Fines
The issue of strict private parking fines has been widely debated, with cases of drivers receiving multiple penalties despite demonstrating attempts to pay. One such case involved Hannah Robinson, who accumulated fines totalling £11,390 at a multi-storey car park in Darlington between 2021 and 2024, according to The Mirror.
Excel Parking Services enforced the fines, arguing that Robinson consistently failed to pay within the five-minute window. However, she claimed that unreliable internet connectivity often prevented her from completing transactions on time.
“The ticket machines are often broken so I pay online but the internet coverage is terrible so it often takes longer to access the app. I knew about the five-minute rule and knew I sometimes couldn’t pay within it, however I’ve shown proof of the app not working and cash machines nine out of ten times not working,” she explained, highlighting the practical difficulties faced by many drivers.
The new PPSAP directive ensures that drivers encountering genuine payment difficulties will be treated more fairly. According to Andrew Pester, CEO of the British Parking Association, the update represents progress towards a more balanced parking enforcement system.
“The parking sector is always striving to ensure it operates in the interest of compliant motorists and to ensure that parking is fairly managed for all,” he stated.
Private Car Parks Must Implement Fairer Enforcement Practices
The upcoming changes will apply to private car parks monitored by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) or CCTV systems. These locations must now allow drivers a reasonable window to complete their payment before issuing fines. However, local authority car parks and private parking areas without such surveillance will not be affected by the new rule.
Will Hurley, chief of the International Parking Community (IPC), welcomed the reform, emphasising the need for a system that can quickly identify and resolve parking disputes. “It is crucial there is a mechanism to identify and resolve issues quickly,” he said, adding that the update demonstrates the industry’s commitment to improving standards.
Despite the reform, motorists are advised to remain vigilant when parking. According to the IPC, drivers must still read signage carefully and follow individual car park rules to avoid penalties. While the five-minute grace period provides added protection, it does not eliminate the need for compliance with parking regulations.
