Rogue parking firms will be banned from hounding motorists who are seconds late moving their cars
ROGUE parking firms will be banned from hounding motorists who are seconds late moving their cars.
Attendants will be forced by law to give drivers a 10-minute grace period after their tickets expire, under new government rules.
Those who fail to comply will be barred from using the DVLA database to track down motorists – making it impossible to pursue anyone who fails to pay a penalty charge.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick wants the changes to bring private parking firms, who operate supermarket, hotel and multi-storey parks, in line with council-run sites.
Details of 5.65 million drivers were obtained by parking companies from the DVLA last year – making the threat of being blacklisted a serious threat for cowboy operators.
The change will be overseen by a compulsory code of practice and a new independent appeals service, giving drivers greater support to challenge unjustified parking tickets.
Mr Jenrick said: “For too long rogue parking firms have operated in an unregulated industry, handing out unjust fines, putting drivers through baffling appeals processes and issuing tickets to motorists who were only seconds late back to their cars.
“The new Code will restore common sense to the way parking fines are handed out, encourage people back onto our high-streets and crack down on dodgy operators who use aggressive tactics to harass drivers.”
most read in motors
The 10-minute grace period was introduced for all council car parks in England in 2015 – but is currently still voluntary for private parking firms.
Under measures being considered, all private car parks in England, Scotland and Wales will have to give motorists up to 10 minutes before issuing a late fine.
Extra measures to crack down on intimidating and aggressive debt collection by private companies will also be considered as part of the code.
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]