Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019
| Act of Parliament | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act to make provision for and in connection with a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities; and for connected purposes. |
|---|---|
| Introduced by | Greg Knight (Commons) Lord Hunt of Wirral (Lords) |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 15 March 2019 |
Status: Current legislation | |
The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom concerning the establishment of a code of practice for parking providers.[1]
History
[edit]In 2017/2018, the number of parking charges reached a record high of 5,650,000, compared to 4,710,000 in 2016/2017 and 499,000 in 2007/2008.[2]
During the passage of the bill, ParkingEye pursued Nicholas Bowen for an £85 fine for overstaying the free two hour limit at Welcome Break Membury Services.[1] Legal representatives of ParkingEye failed to turn up to court.[1] According to ParkingEye, it did send a representative to court but was told that the case was not on the list of hearings.[1] When the company was contacted later, it said it was "considering its options within the time limits set out by the court".[1]
The bill was supported by the government.[2]
Provisions
[edit]The act allows the government to introduce a statutory code of practice.[3]
Implementation
[edit]The government introduced a code of practice under the act in 2022, but withdrew this after legal challenge by parking companies.[3]
A non-statutory code of practice was introduced by the International Parking Community and the British Parking Association, the two DVLA-accredited trade associations that private parking operators must be members of to issue penalty charge notice to drivers.[3] The RAC described this as lacking "teeth" and urged the government to introduce a new statutory code under the act.[3]
In 2025, the government committed to introducing a new code of practice under the act.[4]
Further developments
[edit]In 2021/2022, 8,600,000 parking tickets were issued.[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Smithers, Rebecca (15 September 2017). "Driver's legal victory is one in the ParkingEye for rogue private firms". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Car park penalty tickets at record high". BBC News. 26 April 2018. Archived from the original on 29 April 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ a b c d Ramsey, Tali (9 May 2025). "Are private parking firms playing fair?". Which. Archived from the original on 10 May 2025. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ Jervis, Tom; Rosamond, Chris (28 April 2025). "Car parking code of practice delay "scandalous" as fines soar". Auto Express. Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ "Drivers handed record 8.6 million parking tickets by private firms over 12 months". Sky News. 2 July 2022. Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2025.