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.
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]
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 act allows the government to introduce a statutory code of practice.[3]
Implementation
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
In 2021/2022, 8,600,000 parking tickets were issued.[5]
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