Private parking operators have announced a major review of their practices following public outcry over a controversial “five-minute rule” that led to thousands of pounds in fines for motorists. The British Parking Association (BPA) and International Parking Community (IPC) will revise their code of conduct to protect drivers who face difficulties making prompt payments.

The reform comes after the high-profile case of Rosey Hudson, who accumulated £1,906 in fines for taking longer than five minutes to pay while searching for mobile phone reception to use a parking app in Derby. Her case, along with others like Garry Kay who faced £255 in fines at the same location, prompted Excel Parking to drop their legal proceedings.

According to the industry bodies, a new panel will oversee changes to ensure the code “protects genuine motorists who have difficulty making prompt payment on entry.” The BPA has committed to implementing revised payment rules by February 2025, with a complete review expected by April of that year.

The scale of private parking enforcement has come under scrutiny, with RAC Foundation analysis revealing companies issue approximately 41,000 tickets daily, potentially generating up to £4.1 million in maximum fines. This aggressive enforcement has raised concerns about the fairness of current practices.

Previous attempts to regulate the industry through government legislation, including a proposed £50 cap on most fines and mandatory grace periods, were withdrawn in 2022 following legal challenges from parking companies. The BPA and IPC subsequently published their own code of practice, which will now be subject to review.

BPA chief executive Andrew Pester stated the initiative demonstrates the industry is “serious about raising standards,” while IPC chief executive Will Hurley emphasized their commitment to improving the sector’s reputation. The reforms represent a significant shift in how private parking operators approach enforcement and customer service.