I’m a driving expert – how a little-known loophole can help avoid a penalty fine

A DRIVING expert has revealed how a little-known parking loophole could help you avoid a hefty fine and potentially save you HUNDREDS.

Research from the RAC has shown that around two million motorists were fined in the first quarter of the last financial year, costing them millions of pounds.

1

But most drivers aren’t aware that a grace period of ten minutes exists – allowing them a bit of extra time to get back to the vehicles once their parking ticket expires, The Bucks Free Press reports.

The leniency to the rules was introduced by the Government in April 2015, and has allowed drivers to avoid fines in regulated streets spaces or council car parks.

The Government ruled that “enforcement should be sensitive, fair and proportionate.”

“This would not be the case if a driver received a penalty charge notice (PCN) for returning to their vehicle only moments after the expiry of a period of permitted parking.

“No penalty charge is payable for the contravention where the vehicle has been left beyond the permitted parking period for a period not exceeding 10 minutes.”

The rule will only be applicable to those who park in regulated on-street parking or in car parks run by the local authority.

The AA explained: “We campaigned for a long time that it was unfair to charge a £40 fine for a few minutes’ overstay.

“Some councils were sympathetic when drivers challenged parking tickets and gave reasons for an overstay. But others strictly enforced their parking fines.

“That meant it was a postcode lottery as to whether or not you’d get a fine for being a few minutes late. Since the government brought in an official grace period, drivers have had a small degree of leeway and a legal option to challenge a ticket.”

Edmund King, AA President, added, “There wouldn’t have been a need for central government to interfere if all local authorities had exercised the discretionary approach to parking enforcement of old.

“Parking tickets were supposed to be a deterrent to bad behaviour, not a fines harvest.”

This comes after motorists were warned over a “friendly” everyday driving habit that could cost them a fine of up to £1,000.

Plus, drivers were warned that parking under a tree could end up costing them £1,000 fine.