A MAJOR change to hated parking rules could slash costs for drivers.
The Government has put forward plans to cut the amount motorists could be fined by private parking firms from £100 to £50.
The move would slash costs in half for anyone caught breaking the rules, helping millions of hard-up Brits.
Debt collection fees for late tickets could also be banned under new rules, saving drivers another £70.
The new regulations for an updated Private Parking Code of Practice, which are subject to a consultation, are being launched to make charges when using private car parks fairer.
Other options being considered include the £100 fine staying – but drivers getting a discount of 40% if they pay within 14 days.
Or, a two tier system could be put in place where the level of the fee depends on the seriousness of the offence.
This has been proposed as £80 or £130 in London, £50 or £70 in the rest of England and £80 or £100 in Soctland.
If the two levels came in there would be a 50% discount for paying in 14 days and debt fees would be reduced to 30% of the fine, or be banned altogether.
Micheal Gove, Levelling up secretary said: “Millions of people across the country use private car parks and we want this to continue without them having the fear of being slapped with unfair and costly charges.
“Our new Private Parking Code of Practice will put this right, delivering a much fairer system for drivers and industry – and today’s call for evidence is an important part of shaping this policy.
“I encourage everyone to come forward and have their say.”
The Private Parking Code of Practice will also allow drivers to more easily challenge an unfair parking charges through a new independent appeals service.
All private parking operators will also have to follow the new code when it’s introduced.
Unfortunately, you do have to pay the private parking ticket or you could go to civil court.
Also known as a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) these are issued if you overstay your welcome on private land.
They are not police fines so you won’t be looking at jail time but rather a breach of contract.
New rules will cap the cost of these at £50 for minor infringements, although it could go up to £70 or £100 for more serious breaches.
If you pay within 14 days you can get a discount of 50% off the charge.
There are other new limitations for the private firms to keep the cost down and make things fairer for motorists.
Limitations include the banning of excessive late fees have been banned and instructions that all signage must be clearer.
There will also be a grace period of 10 minutes before the late fine can be given.
Private firms will also have to give 5 minutes for the motorist to change their minds about parking there.
You can appeal all parking tickets but you must act quickly.
The government has also said they are aiming to make it easier to challenge a ticket.
For example, if you bought a ticket but failed to display it correctly, under current rules this would not be enough to dismiss the notice.
Look at the facts and circumstances surrounding your fine and ask yourself if you have broken the rules.
If so it might be better to pay the fine quickly and get the discount rather than fighting in court – most private firms assume this is the route motorists will take.
Instructions to appeal will come with the notice and if you think signage was unclear or misleading you could fight the notice.
Make your case clearly, including pictures if possible, sometimes sending a cheque to cover the cost of parking can be a helpful goodwill gesture.
Whether you pay or appeal just make sure you respond or you could end up in court.
The laws around paying private parking penalty fines can be confusing.
An expert has given some advice on how to avoid the soaring charges that can be involved if you do get fined.
And we recently wrote about how drivers can avoid paying a parking fine with a little-known loophole.
