NEW car park rules have prompted a warning to drivers to avoid being caught out.
A new code of practice for private car park operators was launched in February and will change how motorists are penalised for offences.
The updated regulations are a bid to clean up the industry and will ditch some harsh penalties for drivers who commit innocent errors.
Parking fines are set to be lowered, grace periods will be extended and the appeals service will be streamlined.
Operators who refuse to follow the changes will face being banned from accessing data via the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.
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Fines across England (not including London) and Wales will be cut down from £100 to £70 or £50 – depending on the offence, Autocar reports.
Drivers who are able to pay within 14 days will be offered a 50 percent discount.
The maximum fine of £100 will still be dealt to motorists in breach of abusing Blue Badge bay or for trespassing on private land.
Debt collectors who chase fines on behalf of operators will no longer be able to add their own excess fees, which can reach as high as £70.
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New rules will allow motorists five minutes before the clock starts ticking on a driver’s time in a car park.
A 10 minute grace period will also be given at the end to account for any unexpected delays.
The changes will see operators under the two major trade associations – the British Parking Association (BPA) and the International Parking Community (IPC) – be held accountable by the same committee.
Drivers will need to keep in mind the single appeals service is expected to be launched in by the end of 2023 so should still contact the issuing company directly with any concerns.
Currently, the BPA’s appeals service is the Parking on Private Land Appeals – operated by the Ombudsman Services.
The independent body, approved by government regulators Ofgem and Ofcom, aims to resolve disputes.
One of every 10 appealed Penalty Charge Notices are cancelled.
The Independent Appeals Service manages the IPC’s disputes despite it being an arm within the same business.
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IPC Founder and CEO Will Hurley said: “As a Chartered Trading Standards Institute-competent authority, it is properly accredited, and we strive to make sure that it is genuinely independent.”
Around a quarter of the IPC’s appealed tickets are cancelled.
