Motorists risk £100 fines for leaving their cars at supermarkets outside store opening hours.
The warning comes despite government rules designed to curb unfair private parking charges across England, Scotland and Wales.
Under a new code of practice, drivers receive a guaranteed five minutes to decide whether to park and ten minutes to leave.
Fines can also be scrapped on appeal for honest mistakes.
The government has maintained the £100 maximum charge despite calls to cap parking fines at £50.
Closed store warnings
Motorists often assume empty parking bays carry no risk once trading ends.
Vehicle leasing specialists at Select Car Leasing warned that private car park operators frequently penalise drivers who park while stores remain closed.
Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing, said: "Parking in a supermarket car park when the store is closed sounds completely fine on the face of it.
"The car park is likely to be empty, with no-one around, and it might be a convenient location for you to leave your vehicle as you head elsewhere. Where’s the harm?
"But parking in a supermarket outside of its opening hours can actually lead to a fine of up to £100, and we’ve seen cases where people have been clobbered for leaving their car for a matter of minutes."
He said: "The new grace periods are welcome, but they don’t change the rules a car park sets."
Private enforcement and ANPR cameras
Supermarket car parks sit on private land, with rules enforced through Parking Charge Notices that range from £40 to £100.
Many operators use Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras to monitor vehicles, with letters demanding payment sent in the post.
Drivers regularly watch for time limits or parent and child bay rules, but few check restrictions outside retail hours.
Mr Conway said: "Check the signage as you enter the car park carefully before making a decision about whether to stay or not -but under the new code you'll have five minutes to decide whether to park or not.
"Not all store car parks punish after or before-hours parking, but many do, and it’s an issue that’s causing real confusion among motorists."
Appeals and store regulations
Car parks should display parking terms, including stipulations that parent and child bays require children aged 12 or younger.
Mr Conway said: "A supermarket car park is provided so that you can use the store in the most convenient manner possible.
"While it sounds harsh and punitive, it makes sense that car parking fines could be levied if the shop itself is closed."
He added: "If you think you’ve been fined unfairly, it’s always worth appealing."
Share