The Government should require all council and private car parks to adopt a single, mandatory grace period of 15 minutes. This rule should replace all existing “grace” and “consideration” periods to create one clear, universal standard.

Car parks use unclear terms such as “grace” and “consideration” periods, with times ranging from 5 to 20 minutes. These inconsistencies can create confusion and lead to unfair parking charges. Introducing a universal, mandatory 15-minute grace period to replace all varied systems would improve transparency, provide clarity for motorists, prevent accidental fines, and ensure fair, consistent treatment.