The new Private Parking Sector Single Code of Practice could see drivers benefit from a loophole which could see them avoid getting fined for having an incorrect address.
Under the current measures, drivers must inform the DVLA of any changes to their personal address.
But through the new Code, created by the British Parking Association and the International Parking Community, drivers are given more exceptions if their DVLA records are not correct.
The Code detailed how private parking organisations must consider the circumstances surrounding the failure to notify the DVLA.
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Drivers can be fined £1,000 for not updating their addresses
PA
The Road Vehicles Registration and Licensing Regulations 2002 states that drivers must inform the DVLA of any changes to addresses or if they sold their car.
Failure to do this could result in a fine of up to £1,000, but through the changes in the Code, drivers can obtain certain exceptions.
These include failure to notify the DVLA that a driver had moved house or had recently sold the vehicle, which has now been corrected.
It detailed: “The principal aim is to ensure that those who willfully neglect or intentionally refuse to update records with the DVLA are not given additional opportunities to appeal while ensuring those who have not updated records immediately, or errors have occurred through no fault of their own are not prevented from having an opportunity to appeal.”
Exceptional circumstances also include where the registered keeper can provide“evidence that they were not the driver and evidence they were not aware that a parking charge had been issued”.
This includes the recipient being away or abroad, hospitalised as an inpatient, or delivered to the wrong address through no fault of the motorist.
Other measures of the Code offer drivers a mandated 10-minute grace period before they can be fined for going over their allotted parking time.
The Code also maintains a cap on the parking charge at £100 which can be reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.
Rules included in the Code also set out “straightforward” rules for all private parking companies to follow across the sector.
It hopes to ensure that private parking companies continue to provide professional services while maintaining consistency for the motoring public.
This Code of Practice is largely based on the Government’s Private Parking Code of Practice, first published in February 2022 before being withdrawn in June 2022.
The Bill called for more regulation and enforcement to stop drivers from being punished by unfair parking charges but was dismissed by some motoring experts as not helping motorists enough.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The Code will be implemented from October 1, 2024
PA
Private parking operators will be required to implement the new single Code by October 1, 2024, with all existing sites updated by December 2026.
