Carpark Signs and the Private Parking Code of Practice Updates 2026

Clear car park signs help drivers understand where they can park, what terms apply and how to move safely around your site. If you are reviewing your signage alongside the Private Parking Code of Practice, start with the driver’s experience: are your entrance signs easy to spot, your parking terms readable and your directions clear?

This guide gives facilities teams, landowners and parking operators a practical starting point for reviewing private car park signage. Before commissioning replacement signs, confirm the current code, wording and implementation dates applicable to your site with your parking operator or a qualified adviser.

Carpark signs and the Private Parking Code of Practice

A signage review should consider more than the wording on a single board. Look at how entrance signs, parking information and directional signs work together throughout the car park. Drivers need to find relevant information without searching for it or being distracted by conflicting messages.

When using the Private Parking Code of Practice to plan your review, refer to the current applicable version rather than relying on an older summary. Have your operator confirm the requirements for your site before approving artwork or placing an order.

Start with your car park entrance signs

Walk or drive each approach to your site and check whether the entrance signage is visible before drivers make their parking decisions. Consider obstructions such as vegetation, street furniture, parked vehicles and other advertising signs.

Discuss the information your entrance signs need to communicate with your operator, including the identity of the operator and where drivers can find the full parking terms. Keep the layout clear and avoid squeezing too much information into a small space.

Make private parking signs easy to read

Review your interior carpark signs from the places drivers actually use: parking bays, pedestrian routes and payment points. Check the text size, colour contrast, positioning and lighting in the conditions your customers encounter.

Look for inconsistent wording across the site, outdated payment instructions and signs that no longer reflect how the car park operates. Agree the final wording with your parking operator before manufacturing replacements, particularly where signs communicate parking charges or contractual terms.

Check directional and parking bay signage

Good car park signage also helps people find their way. Review directions to entrances, exits, payment machines and pedestrian routes, alongside signs identifying designated bays. Keep directional information consistent so drivers are not faced with contradictory instructions.

Viking Signs’ Wayfinding Signs range can support the directional signage element of your review.

Maintain your car park signs

A useful signage review includes the condition of existing signs as well as their wording. Look for faded print, damaged panels, loose fixings and information hidden by dirt or vegetation. Revisit signage whenever your parking arrangements change, rather than treating installation as a one-off task.

Record which signs need cleaning, repositioning or replacement. This gives your team a clear brief and helps you prioritise the work with your operator and sign manufacturer.

Plan bespoke car park signage with Viking Signs

Once your operator has confirmed the applicable Private Parking Code of Practice requirements and approved the wording, prepare a brief covering sign locations, dimensions, quantities and installation needs.

Viking Signs’ Bespoke & Custom Signage service can help you plan entrance and interior carpark signs around your site and your approved artwork requirements.

Ready to review your carpark signs? Talk to the Viking Signs sales team about bespoke car park signage for your site.