A driver who stopped briefly to be sick has discovered himself slapped with a £100 non-public parking cost — and he’s not alone.
It’s a stark reminder for drivers, together with ADIs and their pupils, that non-public automotive parks can show expensive if entered with out realising the land is permit-only.
Dave Knight, 50, was charged by parking agency UKPS after pulling into a non-public automotive park off Broad Oak Drive in Stapleford, Nottinghamshire. Having lately undergone abdomen surgical procedure, Knight wanted to cease urgently attributable to post-operative nausea. Nevertheless, he was caught on CCTV and later fined, regardless of solely being there briefly whereas his brother fetched water.
His enchantment was rejected, with UKPS stating that the second somebody leaves a automobile, it constitutes “parking”. The agency additionally claimed the signage was absolutely compliant with laws — a declare now being extensively challenged by different locals who’ve additionally been caught out.
Amongst them is Martin Leighton, 41, from Beeston, who entered the identical web site for simply 70 seconds whereas performing a U-turn. He, too, acquired a cost, regardless of by no means leaving his automobile. “It’s simply an excessive amount of cash to present away these days,” he informed the BBC. “£25 could be punishment sufficient — however £100? That’s simply not honest.”
Leighton, now actively warning different motorists by way of social media and even in particular person, says his movies have had over 50,000 views. He desires clearer signage and higher enforcement practices to guard harmless drivers. “I don’t need little previous girls to show round in that automotive park and get fined,” he stated.
The ADI Perspective
Whereas these could appear to be remoted instances, they elevate actual issues for ADIs who is perhaps caught out in unfamiliar areas, particularly throughout classes. Think about a pupil pulling in to let an emergency automobile move, or to regain composure throughout a aggravating drive, solely to seek out themselves going through a hefty cost afterward.
Driving instructors additionally often use retail or industrial parks for lesson briefings, follow manoeuvres, or for brief breaks. If that land is privately owned and strictly monitored, a quick cease may lead to a PCN (Parking Cost Discover).
The DIA strongly advises all ADIs to:
Examine signage earlier than coming into any unfamiliar automotive parks, particularly these with no clear pay-and-display or customer choices.
Educate pupils on how non-public parking guidelines differ from public freeway guidelines — notably round contract regulation and the implications of coming into non-public land.
Pay attention to your environment — even a easy U-turn might be seen as an settlement to the parking contract phrases if the automotive is on digital camera.
The Authorized Context
Derek Millard-Smith, a authorized skilled within the parking sector, reminded the general public that parking on non-public land is ruled by contract regulation. If a PCN isn’t paid and results in courtroom, it may result in a County Court docket Judgement (CCJ), negatively affecting credit score scores.
He additionally urged drivers to enchantment any PCNs they really feel are unfair. The right route depends upon which commerce physique the operator belongs to:
POPLA (Parking on Personal Land Appeals) for British Parking Affiliation (BPA) members
IAS (Unbiased Appeals Service) for Worldwide Parking Group (IPC) members — as is the case with UKPS
It’s price noting that UKPS says 5 minutes are allowed for drivers to evaluate signage and go away the positioning in the event that they don’t settle for the phrases. However Leighton disputes this, saying he was solely current for 70 seconds — too brief, he argues, for a significant determination.
Change on the Horizon?
The non-public parking sector launched a brand new Code of Follow in October 2024, collectively developed by the BPA and IPC. Amongst different enhancements, it mandates:
Signage have to be clearly seen and legible on method (Part 3.1.3b)
Drivers have to be given enough time to determine and skim indicators, and to exit in the event that they don’t settle for the phrases (Part 5.1b and 5.1d)
Nevertheless, the IPC informed the BBC these new guidelines will not be enforceable till the top of 2026, which means many operators are nonetheless working underneath much less stringent situations.
In gentle of neighborhood issues, UKPS stated it was reviewing the positioning and will convert it right into a Pay for Keep automotive park in future.
For now, instructors and drivers alike are being urged to take further care — particularly in areas with out clear markings or seen warnings. Mr Knight and Mr Leighton have each paid their fees, however they continue to be decided to boost consciousness of what they see as predatory practices.
As professionals on the street every single day, ADIs are maybe extra probably than most to come across these sorts of traps. A well timed warning, then — and a reminder to maintain your eyes peeled, not only for hazards on the street, however for the small print on the indicators.
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