Burnham to end 'rip-off' parking fines with 5-minute grace

Drivers across England, Scotland and Wales will now be protected from harsh private parking charges after Prime Minister Andy Burnham unveiled new rules aimed at ending what he called 'rip-off' fines ^[1]. The updated code of practice grants a guaranteed five-minute window to decide whether to park and a 10-minute grace period to leave after a session ends ^[2].

Charges will be cancelled on appeal for honest mistakes such as stopping to check directions, medical emergencies, vehicle breakdowns, or broken ticket machines ^[3]. For minor errors like entering the wrong registration or forgetting a permit, the maximum charge on appeal is set at £20, a significant shift from previous practices ^[2].

The move follows a record 16.9 million private parking tickets issued in 2025–2026—a 17% increase from the prior year ^[2]. One case saw a woman taken to court over a £1,906 claim after being five minutes late to pay in a Derby car park, though the charge was later dropped ^[1].

The government is also targeting debt recovery fees, which are currently capped at £70, with a consultation planned for next year ^[2]. The RAC has urged a ban on these fees, while the AA welcomed the changes but warned they fall short of what’s needed ^[3].

Operators failing to comply risk losing access to DVLA data, making it harder to pursue drivers ^[1]. The British Parking Association said many new principles already exist in the current voluntary code, but the government insists independent oversight is now essential.

The new code is being laid before Parliament, though its exact implementation date has not been confirmed ^[2]. Critics, including Which?, say the £100 maximum charge and lack of an independent appeals body undermine the reforms.

Meanwhile, the government also announced crackdowns on odometer fraud by second-hand car dealers ^[3]. The story was first reported by BBC News and The Guardian.