New private parking code of practice 2026: what changes, and when
By Parking Help team · Updated · 7 min read
Quick answer
The new private parking code of practice 2026 is the government's own Code for private car parks. It was laid before Parliament on Tuesday 20 October 2026 and is **not in force yet**: it needs a 40-day scrutiny period, then starts 21 days after it's issued, and no start date has been announced. Until then, today's industry Code still applies — so deal with any charge you have now using today's deadlines.
Your deadline in 10 seconds
Enter the date and your deadline appears here instantly.
On this page
Good to know
Not in force yet
Everything below describes what will change when the new Code comes into force. Last checked against GOV.UK: Monday 2 November 2026.
Where things stand
The Code was laid before Parliament on Tuesday 20 October 2026. Under the process GOV.UK describes, it now goes through a 40-day period of Parliamentary scrutiny before it can be issued, and it comes into force 21 calendar days after it's issued. No exact start date has been announced.
Until the new Code starts, parking companies follow the existing industry Single Code of Practice, and the independent appeal services (POPLA and the IAS) work as they do now. GOV.UK says the transitional arrangements will be published when the Code comes into force.
Step 1: Laid before Parliament
Tuesday 20 October 2026
Step 2: Scrutiny period
40 days of Parliamentary scrutiny before it can be issued.
Step 3: Issued
The government issues the Code. No date announced yet.
Step 4: In force
21 calendar days after it's issued.
What changes under the new Code (not yet in force)
| Area | Under the new Code | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum charge | Stays at £100, with a 40% discount if paid within 14 days | Should I pay? |
| £70 debt recovery fee | The £70 cap is kept for now as an interim measure; the government will consult again, including on a ban. Misleading or intimidating debt letters are banned. | £70 fee |
| Consideration period | At least 5 minutes on arrival, at all sites except pre-booked ones | Grace period |
| Grace period | At least 10 minutes after your time ends, except at short-stay sites (under 30 minutes) | Grace period |
| Pay before you leave | No charge if you pay in full before leaving an ANPR car park; for stays over 24 hours, pay within 24 hours of arriving | Paid but got a fine |
| £20 reduced charge | Wrong registration (with proof you paid), registration not entered at a terminal, or a permit or Blue Badge not displayed but later shown | Wrong registration |
| Cancellation on appeal | Breakdown, sudden illness, an overrunning medical appointment, childcare delays, broken payment machines with no alternative, and more | Breakdown and illness |
| Late appeals | Allowed outside 28 days in exceptional circumstances, such as a hospital stay or a notice sent to the wrong address | After 28 days |
| Appeal after paying | Allowed, within 30 days | After paying |
| Sanctions | Companies that don't follow it can lose access to DVLA keeper details; trade associations can lose their accredited status | — |
Today vs when the new Code starts
| Today | When the new Code starts | |
|---|---|---|
| Which rules apply | The industry Single Code of Practice | The government's Code |
| Grace and consideration periods | Industry Code: 10 and 5 minutes; our checker already checks these | Mandatory minimums, with the exceptions above |
| Appeal deadlines | 28 days to the company, then POPLA or the IAS | 28 days, with late appeals in exceptional circumstances |
| After paying | Usually treated as the end of the matter | Appeal within 30 days |
What it means for a charge you have today
Don't wait for the new Code. Your deadlines run under today's rules, and nobody knows yet exactly how charges issued before the start date will be treated. Appeal on time, keep every letter, and use the points that apply now — such as the notice to keeper 14-day rule.
- Letter dated: Wednesday 28 October 2026
- Counts as delivered: Friday 30 October 2026
- Appeal to the company by: Friday 27 November 2026 — under today's rules
Where does it apply?
The government's pages aren't fully consistent on whether the Code covers England only, or England, Wales and Scotland. Check GOV.UK for where it applies before relying on it. Northern Ireland isn't covered by the Act behind it.
How it will be enforced
The Explanatory Memorandum says the Code isn't directly enforceable in law. Instead, parking companies that don't follow it can lose access to DVLA keeper details — which they need to send letters to keepers — and accredited trade associations can lose their status. Independent conformity assessment bodies will check compliance.
Our guides to the new Code
- £70 debt recovery fee: what it is and what's changing
- Paid for parking but still got a fine?
- Appeal parking charge after 28 days
- Can I appeal a parking charge after paying?
- Parking charge appeal: breakdown, illness and other reasons
This is self-help information, not legal advice. Last checked against GOV.UK: Monday 2 November 2026. You don't have to say who was driving, but never say anything untrue.
Frequently asked questions
Is the new private parking code in force yet?
No. It was laid before Parliament on Tuesday 20 October 2026 and isn't in force yet. Until it is, the industry Single Code of Practice applies.
When will the new parking code start?
No date has been announced. It needs a 40-day scrutiny period, then comes into force 21 days after it's issued.
Does the new Code apply to the charge I have now?
Not while it isn't in force. Deal with your charge using today's deadlines. GOV.UK says transitional arrangements will be published when the Code starts.
Will the £100 maximum change?
No. The cap stays at £100, with a 40% discount for paying within 14 days.
Does the new Code ban the £70 debt recovery fee?
Not yet. The £70 cap is kept as an interim measure, and the government will consult again, including on a lower cap or a ban.
Does it apply in Scotland and Wales?
The government's pages aren't fully consistent on this. Check GOV.UK for where it applies.
Sources
This is a free self-help guide, not legal advice. Check your own letters and dates. If you're unsure, get free advice from Citizens Advice. Written by the Parking Help team.
Related guides
New rules 20266 min read£70 debt recovery fee parking: why it's added, and what's changing
The £70 debt recovery fee parking firms add, explained: why your letter says £170, the keeper maximum under PoFA, and what the new Code will change.
New rules 20266 min readPaid for parking but still got a fine? Why it happens and what to do
Paid for parking but still got a fine? The usual reasons, what proof to send, how to appeal today, and the new pay-before-exit rule (not yet in force).
New rules 20266 min readParking charge appeal: breakdown, illness, childcare or a broken machine
Parking charge appeal: breakdown, illness, an overrunning appointment, childcare or a broken machine — the evidence to send and what the new Code says.