Martin Lewis’s Money Saving Expert (MSE) said the new five-minute parking rule could still land drivers with a surprise fine.
As of February 17, a change was implemented to protect drivers from receiving fines if they are unable to pay for their parking within a five-minute timeframe in certain sites monitored by CCTV and ANPR.
However, motorists are being urged to take care by MSE as the new code has certain exemptions, such as only applying to sites under the British Parking Association (BPA) and the International Parking Community (IPC).
It doesn’t cover local authority car parks, private car parks without ANPR or CCTV camera monitoring, or car parks that aren’t managed by IPC or BPA.
MSE also notes that if motorists are unable to pay due to the machine or parking app not working, a fine could still be issued because, technically, the stay has not been paid for, which IPC said motorists should appeal.
The change also relates to the timing of payment, and doesn’t include parking fines for other contraventions, such as partial or underpayment, typing the numberplate incorrectly, or parking in a non-permitted bay.
According to the new BPA and IPC code, if “payment has been made for the full period of parking prior to the vehicle leaving the car park” managed by ANPR or CCTV, the vehicle will be exempt.
The newly created Private Parking Scrutiny and Advice Panel (PPSAP) instructed the change after reviewing complaints in late 2024 caused by evolving technology.
One woman was taken to court for £1,906 after taking longer than five minutes to pay at a car park in Derby due to poor phone signal, as reported by the BBC.
Andrew Pester, chief executive of the British Parking Association, said: “The parking sector is always striving to ensure it operates in the interest of compliant motorists and to ensure that parking is fairly managed for all. This change is another important step in achieving this.”
Will Hurley, CEO of the International Parking Community (IPC) said: “The single Code, along with the creation of the Panel and its swift action reflects the sector’s positive progress and commitment to fairness.”
