Charged for a few minutes over? Grace and consideration periods
The Private Parking Sector Single Code, followed by BPA and IPC members, sets minimum time allowances.
Consideration period
Time to find a space, read the signs and decide whether to stay. Minimums in Annex B:
- 5 minutes for free car parks (1 hour or more) under 500 spaces, and for pay-and-display or pay-on-exit sites.
- 10 minutes for free car parks (1 hour or more) over 500 spaces.
- Not applicable to pre-booked parking.
Grace period
At least 10 minutes after a time-limited parking period ends. A charge must not be issued during it (clause 5.2).
Exceptions
- No grace period for short stay areas of 30 minutes or less, such as drop-off zones.
- The grace period only applies where you parked in line with the terms (clause 5.2, note 1).
- It is only relevant where the permission to park has a time limit (clause 5.2, note 3).
The government Code
The government Code laid on 20 October 2026 includes a mandatory 5-minute consideration period and 10-minute grace period. It is not yet in force.
Check your notice in two minutes
Important
Not legal advice. CarParkLetter is run by Pricing Logic Limited. We provide templates and general information only. We are not solicitors. Check your letter before you send it.
No guarantee of success. Outcomes depend on the facts, the evidence, the operator and the appeals body. If an appeal fails you may still have to pay, possibly without the early payment discount.
Sources
- Private Parking Sector Single Code of Practice v1.1: https://www.britishparking.co.uk/write/Documents/AOS/Sector%20Code%20Templates/sectorsingleCodeofPracticeVersion1.1130225.pdf
- Private Parking Code of Practice 2026: Explanatory Memorandum: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/private-parking-code-of-practice-2026-explanatory-memorandum/private-parking-code-of-practice-2026-explanatory-memorandum
- GOV.UK Private Parking Code of Practice: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/private-parking-code-of-practice