The Private Parking Scrutiny and Advice Panel (PPSAP) has put in its first shift. The panel has axed the controversial ‘five-minute rule’ to protect motorists who have genuine difficulties in paying for their parking within a short timeframe.
However, the change only applies to car parks that are monitored by fixed camera technology (such as ANPR or CCTV) rather than parking wardens. The BPA (British Parking Association) explained to Parkers that drivers won’t have a time limit on when they need to pay, so long as they pay the correct amount of money for their parking before they exit the car park.
For that reason, the BPA urges drivers to read the signage at their chosen car park and make sure they comply with the rules before parking. The rights for parking providers to exercise the ‘five-minute rule’ will be removed on camera controlled private car parks on Monday 17th February 2025.
Will Hurley, CEO of the International Parking Community (IPC) said: ‘it is crucial that there is a mechanism to identify and resolve issues quickly. I am pleased that the Panel has acted swiftly to introduce safeguards for motorists.
‘It is important drivers play their part by reading and following instruction on signage when parking their vehicle. Our sector is making significant strides in elevating standards. The single Code, along with the creation of the Panel and its swift action reflects the sector’s positive progress and commitment to fairness.’
What is the Private Parking Scrutiny and Advice Panel?
The Private Parking Scrutiny and Advice Panel (PSSAP) is an advisory board partially set up by the British Parking Association. It was designed to clean up the UK’s private parking sector and crack down on unfair parking fines.
Its main focus is to oversee a reform to the private parking sector’s Single Code of Practice by April 2025. However, it’ll also regularly meet with motorists to hear their concerns about private parking providers and enforce a consistent set of sanctions to ensure the code is correctly applied.
One of the catalysts for panel’s formation was the controversial ‘five-minute payment rule.’ This is a consideration period, designed to give you enough time to pay for your parking. Currently, the minimum amount of time providers are allowed to offer is five minutes, after which they’re within their right to fine you. But five minutes isn’t always enough – especially if you have mobility issues.
You can even spend five minutes figuring out how to pay for your parking, as proved by the high-profile case reported on the BBC of a woman who exceeded the five-minute rule trying to pay for her parking using the provider’s smartphone app, after she realised the car park’s physical payment machines were broken. The parking firm fined her almost £2,000 for exceeding its grace period.
What is the purpose of the PPSAP?
Chiefly, it’ll keep the private parking sector in check, regularly assess the Code of Practice, compensate for changes in technology (such as app-based payment methods) and – most importantly – protect consumers. Here’s a brief rundown the panel’s aims:
- Oversee the private parking sector’s Single Code of Practice
- Improve parking standards by ensuring the Code is applied fairly
- Deploy a set of sanctions to enforce rational application of the Code
- Improve transparency and increase confidence in the sector
- Monitor the consistency of decisions made in parking disputes
Current data from the BPA suggests 99.77% of parking events occur without disputes – but reports in the media suggest the disputes that do happen are rather severe. Hence the formation of the panel and the desire to improve standards.
Andrew Pester, Chief Executive of the British Parking Association said: ‘The formation of this panel is an important step in delivering consistency to the oversight of the private parking sector Single Code of Practice.
‘We want to demonstrate that not only are we serious about raising standards but also making decisive changes to the code when issues arise.’
Will Hurley, CEO of the International Parking Community (IPC), also emphasized the significance of the PPSAP, saying: ‘The creation of the Panel shows the commitment the industry has to improving the reputation of our sector.
‘We must not forget the valuable service we provide to ensure the vast majority of people can park when and where they need to.’
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