Overview

• Officials say the consultation on a new Private Parking Code of Practice opened in July and closes next week, with plans to move quickly on reforms.
• Private operators issued a record 14.4 million tickets in the year to March, with 4.3 million in Q2 alone—roughly 48,000 penalties a day typically set at £100.
• Which? urges a £50 cap, clearer signage, rules to cancel charges in genuine mitigating circumstances, curbs on automatic £70 debt fees, and a single independent appeals service.
• The British Parking Association backs the consultation but argues for retaining a £100 charge and £70 debt-recovery fee; the sector’s voluntary code began last October with a 10‑minute grace period and phased measures to 2026.
• Data requests by private firms to the DVLA rose to 12.8 million in 2024 from 1.9 million in 2012, while MHCLG figures show councils made £1.19bn profit from parking as drivers spent £2.34bn last year.