UK Private Parking Grace Periods Explained (2024 Code)

One of the most common reasons people get private parking charges is overstaying by just a few minutes. What many drivers don't know is that the trade body code of practice includes mandatory grace periods that operators must follow.

If you've been charged for a minor overstay, you may have a valid appeal.

The 10-Minute Grace Period Rule

Direct Answer: The BPA and IPC Codes of Practice require operators to allow a minimum 10-minute grace period at the end of any paid parking session before issuing a ticket. This applies to all private car parks managed by member companies.

Under the trade body code of practice, private parking operators must allow a minimum of 10 minutes after your paid parking time expires before they can issue a Parking Charge Notice.

This means if you paid for parking until 3:00pm, you cannot be charged until at least 3:10pm.

When does the 10-minute rule apply?

• After any paid parking session expires (pay-and-display, app, permit)
• After any free parking period ends (e.g., "2 hours free parking")
• When using ANPR camera-monitored car parks

What counts as the "end" of your parking time?

The grace period starts from when your purchased or permitted time officially ends. ANPR systems should record this from your entry time plus the allowed duration, not from arbitrary timestamps.

The 5-Minute Rule for Quick Exits

Direct Answer: A separate 5-minute consideration period applies when a vehicle enters and leaves a car park within 5 minutes, for example when a driver realises the car park is full or has driven in by mistake.

The Code also includes a lesser-known protection: if you enter and leave a car park within 5 minutes, no charge can be issued at all.

This protects drivers who:

• Drive in looking for a space but find none
• Realise they're in the wrong car park and leave
• Drop someone off and exit immediately
• Enter by mistake and turn around

ANPR systems sometimes fail to record quick exits, leading to incorrect charges. This is a strong ground for appeal.

What the Trade Body Code Requires

Direct Answer: The BPA Approved Operator Scheme and IPC Code of Practice both mandate minimum grace periods. Operators who fail to apply these grace periods are breaching their own code and the ticket may be cancelled on appeal.

The trade body code of practice applies to all Approved Operator Scheme members in the BPA and IPC.

Key grace period requirements include:

• Minimum 10-minute consideration period after paid time expires
• 5-minute minimum stay before any charge can apply
• Grace periods must be stated in signage where practical
• ANPR systems must be calibrated to account for these periods

How to Appeal a Grace Period Breach

Direct Answer: Compare your ANPR entry and exit times against the allowed parking period plus the 10-minute grace. If your total time falls within the grace period, state this clearly in your appeal with the exact timestamps.

If you believe your charge was issued within the grace period, your appeal should:

1. Request exact timestamps – Ask for ANPR entry and exit times to prove the actual overstay duration
2. Cite the trade body code – Reference the specific grace period requirements
3. Challenge proportionality – A £100 charge for a 2-minute overstay may be disproportionate under ParkingEye v Beavis [2015] UKSC 67
4. Request evidence of signage – Was the grace period clearly displayed?

When Grace Periods Don't Apply

Direct Answer: Grace periods do not apply to council PCNs, which are governed by different legislation. They also may not apply where no payment was made at all, as they are designed for the end of paid sessions.

Be aware that grace periods may not protect you if:

• You parked without paying at all (no-permit offences)
• You parked in a restricted bay (disabled, staff only, etc.)
• The operator is not a Code member (though most major operators are)
• You received a council PCN rather than a private parking charge

ANPR Errors and Grace Periods

Direct Answer: ANPR cameras measure gate-to-gate time, which includes time spent queuing to enter and exit the car park. This queuing time should not count against your parking period and is a common ground for appeal.

ANPR camera systems are not perfect. Common errors include:

• Missed exit scans – Camera fails to record you leaving, making it look like you overstayed by hours
• Double-dipping – You visited twice in one day but the system merged both visits into one long stay
• Slow ticket validation – Time taken to find a space or queue to leave is counted against you

Any of these can create false overstay charges that breach grace period rules.

Related Guides

ANPR Camera Errors Explained | Council vs Private Tickets | Stop the Clock Rule