Drivers to gain new parking protections and tougher action on car clocking

Drivers in Rawmarsh and Conisbrough are set to benefit from new protections against private parking charges, as the government also moves to toughen the rules on car dealers who wind back mileages.
Under the new Private Parking Code of Practice, motorists will get a guaranteed 5 minutes to decide whether to park and 10 minutes to leave once their session ends. Charges will also be cancelled on appeal where the problem was outside a driver’s control.
That includes honest mistakes such as stopping briefly to check directions, as well as medical emergencies, breakdowns or a broken ticket machine.
For smaller errors, including forgetting a parking permit, entering the wrong vehicle’s registration or failing to confirm it in the machine when parking, the maximum charge on appeal will be £20.
The code also freezes the maximum parking charge at £100. Operators that fail to comply could lose access to DVLA data, making it much harder to trace registered keepers and pursue payment even if a charge is issued.
The government is also taking aim at car clocking, where second-hand dealers wind back odometers to hide a vehicle’s true mileage. Selling a clocked car is already illegal, but adding the practice to the official list of banned activities is intended to make enforcement easier and protect buyers and honest businesses.
The measures form part of a wider set of everyday fixes, which ministers say are designed to tackle common frustrations that cost people time and money.
John Healey MP said: “Being a few minutes late back to your car or typing one digit of your numberplate wrong shouldn’t end with a hefty fine landing on your doormat.”
He added: “These charges leave people feeling ripped off and out of pocket, so we’re putting a stop to them.
“We are introducing clearer rules, longer grace periods and lower charges for genuine mistakes, while going after the deliberate scams that rip drivers off.”