Taking Action for Gloucester Drivers

As your MP in Gloucester, I hear from constituents who have been hit by unfair, predatory fines from private parking operators. From extortionate charges for a two-minute overstay at local retail sites to unfair penalties caused by a single typo on a digital ticket machine, our local motorists have shouldered the burden of a poorly regulated industry for far too long.

Today, the Labour Government is taking direct action to fix this. The newly laid Private Parking Code of Practice introduces robust, common-sense rules designed to protect motorists and restore fairness.

* Protected Grace Periods: Drivers now receive a guaranteed 5 minutes to decide whether to park and 10 minutes to leave after a session ends without facing a penalty.

* Common-Sense Appeals: Charges will be officially scrapped on appeal for situations outside a driver's control, including vehicle breakdowns, medical emergencies, and broken payment terminals.

* Capped Fines for Minor Errors: If you make a small mistake—such as entering the wrong registration plate or forgetting a permit—the maximum charge on appeal is now strictly capped at £20.

* A Hard Cap on Fines: The maximum standard parking charge remains frozen at £100, and operators who break the rules face losing access to DVLA data entirely, cutting off their ability to pursue fines.

In addition to parking reforms, the government is protecting local consumers by clamping down on car clocking. Fraudulently winding back vehicle odometers to hike up a car's resale value is being added directly to the banned practices list under consumer protection laws, empowering enforcers to crack down on rogue dealers.

These measures represent the latest step in our ongoing mission to tackle everyday frustrations, lower the cost of living, and give families more room to breathe.