Parking fines in England and Wales will now be capped at £50, a significant change introduced through a new code of practice by the Government. This comprehensive set of measures, established by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities, aims to enhance fairness and transparency in the realm of parking enforcement.
Under these new regulations, motorists will benefit from a 10-minute grace period before facing fines for exceeding their allotted parking time in private car parks. Additionally, individuals will have a five-minute window to reconsider parking before incurring non-payment penalties. To incentivise timely payment, firms will be obligated to offer a 50% discount if fines are settled within 14 days, mirroring the practice observed with council-issued notices. Stricter penalties will be imposed for severe violations, such as unauthorised parking in disabled bays.
Despite the imposition of the £50 cap, more severe offences will continue to attract higher fines. Notably, London will not be subject to these new regulations.
Neil O'Brien, the Levelling Up minister, highlighted the necessity of these reforms, citing the predatory practices prevalent among parking operators. The new code of practice is designed to prioritise the safety and rights of motorists, while simultaneously addressing the concerns posed by offenders who endanger public safety and impede emergency services.