Hospital Parking Companies Must Follow BPA/IPC Code on NHS Land

Private parking operators managing NHS hospital car parks must be members of an Approved Operator Scheme (BPA or IPC) to lawfully access DVLA keeper data. As BPA/IPC members, they are bound by the respective Code of Practice, which includes requirements on signage, grace periods, and proportionality. Breach of the Code is grounds for appeal. Operators often take a more aggressive approach at hospitals believing patients will simply pay — challenging Code breaches is particularly effective in this context.

Legal basis

BPA Code of Practice (current edition); IPC Code of Practice; DVLA Keeper at Date of Event scheme requirements

How to identify this in your case

Parking charge at an NHS hospital car park. Check: (1) whether the operator is a BPA or IPC member on their register, (2) grace period compliance (minimum 10 minutes IPC, 10 minutes BPA at start and end of session), (3) signage compliant with the Code, (4) ANPR camera accuracy. Hospital operators often fail on grace periods and signage.

Sample appeal wording

I am writing to appeal parking charge [reference] incurred at [hospital name] car park on [date]. As a member of the [British Parking Association / International Parking Community], you are bound by the [BPA / IPC] Code of Practice when operating on NHS land. I submit that you have breached the Code in the following respects: [Select breaches:] - Grace Period: You have not applied the mandatory 10-minute grace period at the start/end of my parking session. My entry/exit time of [time] means I was within the grace period. - Signage: The signs at this car park do not comply with Code requirements because [reason]. - ANPR Accuracy: The ANPR record shows [discrepancy] which does not accurately reflect my parking time. These breaches render this charge unenforceable under the Code of Practice. I request immediate cancellation. If you decline, I will appeal to [POPLA / IAS] and make a complaint to [BPA / IPC] regarding your Code compliance.

Replace [PARKING DATE], [NtK DATE] etc. with your own dates before sending.

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Sources

BPA Code of Practice
IPC Code of Practice
DVLA Keeper at Date of Event