PM puts the brakes on rip-off parking charges and second-hand car scams - AA comments

Private parking charges

Commenting on the announcement from the Prime Minister that the long-awaited Private Parking Code of Practice will be laid today (Tuesday 20 October 2026), Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at The AA, said; "After seven long years, drivers finally have something which could offer them better protections against the worst private parking operators. For too long, many private parking operators have aggressively attacked drivers to the point where many simply pay up if they receive a charge from one on the doorstep.

"While this is a good first step, there is still a huge amount of work to do, such as tackling the scourge of debt recovery fees. Ultimately, we need to stop charges being issued in the first place, especially where the driver has done nothing wrong.

"Until now, the balance has always felt in favour of the parking firms. We are hopeful that further measures can be added onto this foundation, offering better safeguards to drivers."

Car clocking

On the news that car clocking will now be named a banned practice, Cousens continued; "Buying a car is a major purchase, so making it easier to crack down on those trying to deceive consumers is welcome."

Q&A

1. What has the Government announced on private parking charges?

The Prime Minister has announced that the long-awaited Private Parking Code of Practice will be laid on Tuesday 20 October 2026. The AA says the Code could offer drivers better protection against the worst private parking operators after seven years of waiting.

2. What does The AA think of the new Private Parking Code of Practice?

The AA describes the Code as a good first step that could improve protections for drivers. However, The AA believes significantly more work is needed to tackle problems in the private parking sector and create stronger safeguards for motorists.

3. Why does The AA believe drivers need better protection from private parking operators?

The AA says some private parking operators have aggressively pursued drivers for charges. Previous AA research found that some drivers would pay a private parking charge even when they knew they had done nothing wrong, including because they wanted to avoid the hassle of challenging it.

4. What further changes does The AA want to private parking enforcement?

The AA wants further measures to build on the Private Parking Code of Practice, including action on debt recovery fees. The AA says the ultimate aim should be to prevent parking charges being issued in the first place, particularly where a driver has done nothing wrong.

5. Does The AA support the new Private Parking Code of Practice?

The AA welcomes the Code as a first step but believes further protections are required. Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at The AA, says the balance has previously felt in favour of parking firms and hopes additional safeguards for drivers will be added.

6. What has the Government announced about car clocking?

The Government has announced that car clocking will be named as a banned practice. The AA welcomes the move because buying a car is a major purchase and believes making it easier to crack down on people trying to deceive consumers is positive.

7. What is The AA's view on car clocking?

The AA welcomes measures designed to make it easier to tackle those who deceive consumers when they buy a car. Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at The AA, said the Government's decision to name car clocking as a banned practice is welcome.