What is the Parking Ticket 5-Minute Rule in the UK?
Have you got a parking ticket when you were just out of time? Each month, over 32,000 people come to this website for advice on tickets and fines. If you’re worried about your parking ticket, you’re not alone. It can be concerning and hard to understand, but you can rest easy now.
In this article, we’ll help you understand:
- What the 5-minute rule in the UK means for parking tickets.
- How to appeal your parking ticket and maybe not pay the fine.
- What a parking grace period is and how it can help you.
- How to find out if the person who gave you the ticket is allowed to do so.
- What to do if you think your parking ticket isn’t fair.
Our team knows how you feel when you get a parking ticket, and we’re here to help make things simpler. Let’s get started to learn how to deal with your parking ticket.
Do You Have to Pay?
In some circumstances, you might have a legitimate reason not to pay your fine.
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Not only did I save £50 on solicitor feeds, I also won my case and didn’t have to pay my £271 fine.
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What is the parking ticket 5-minute rule in the UK?
The 5-minute rule is really a ten-minute grace period you should be allowed when returning to your vehicle. The issuer shouldn’t issue you with a parking fine until the grace period is up.
When you can show you weren’t given 10 minutes grace, you could argue the parking fine and get it cancelled. However, you must have parked correctly/lawfully in a designated bay to qualify!
I hope the information in this post helps you understand the reasoning behind a 10-minute grace period. Moreover, it helps you argue a case against a parking ticket so it gets cancelled.
What is a reasonable grace period?
According to Government guidelines, local councils, other authorities and private operators should be ‘sensitive, fair and proportionate’ when issuing parking fines.
As such, a grace period should be afforded to motorists when returning to their vehicles. Government legislation stipulates that parking fines should not be issued when you get back a few minutes late.
Successful Appeal Case Study
Situation
| Initial Fine | £100 |
| Additional Fees | £171 |
| Total Fine | £271 |
The Appeal Process
Scott used JustAnswer, online legal service to enhance his appeal. The trial of this cost him just £5.
| Total Fine | £271 |
| Cost of legal advice | £5 |
JustAnswer helped Scott craft the best appeal possible and he was able to win his case.
Scott’s fine was cancelled and he only paid £5 for the legal help.
In partnership with Just Answer.
How do you qualify for a grace period when parking?
You’d qualify for a grace period when you park in a council-run car park, on a high street as well as on sites managed by private operators. That said, a car park management company must be part of the Approved Operator Scheme for the rule to apply!
So, an operator should afford you a ten-minute grace period when you park in the following places and they’re accredited:
- Shopping centresRetail parks
- Supermarkets
- Healthcare centres and facilities
- Universities
However, when you park incorrectly or unlawfully, you won’t be given a grace period. In short, you’d be fined straight away!
Are you automatically allowed a 10-minute grace period?
No. When you park illegally, say, on double yellow lines or Red Zones, you get a parking ticket straight away. As mentioned, you must be parked correctly in designated bays for a grace period to apply.
Source: https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/legal/council-parking-grace-period
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How can you check if an operator is accredited?
You can check if an operator is accredited by visiting the BPA and the IPC’s websites. I’ve listed the links here:
| British Parking Association – BPA | https://www.britishparking.co.uk/bpa-approved-operators |
| International Parking Community – IPC | https://theipc.info/aos-members |
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Should you ignore a parking ticket?
No. It could be an expensive decision when you ignore a parking fine on private land! First, the issuer sends you reminders and then a demand letter. You may have to deal with a debt collector.
You could face court proceedings if a private operator begins legal action against you.
Plus, when you ignore a Penalty Charge Notice, things escalate and you could end up having to deal with enforcement agents (bailiffs).
Can you appeal a parking fine if you’re just out of time?
Yes. You can appeal a parking ticket when you can prove the fine was issued to you and you were just out of time. For example, if you were just a couple of minutes over the time you paid for, you can challenge the parking ticket.
To appeal a parking ticket, you should keep the parking ticket you purchased as proof that the fine was issued before the grace period was up. Also, check whether the private operator is accredited and part of the Approved Operator Scheme (AOS).
If a car park management company is not signed up to the AOS, the 10-minute grace period may not apply.
Hire a Parking Solicitor for less than a coffee.
If you’re thinking about appealing your parking ticket then getting some professional advice is a good idea.
Getting the support of a Solicitor can make your appeal much more likely to win.
For a £5 trial, Solicitors from JustAnswer can look at your case and help you create an airtight appeal.
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