Both the AA and the RAC said the new code was a good first step but did not go far enough.
“There is still a huge amount of work to do, such as tackling the scourge of debt recovery fees,” said Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA.
“Ultimately, we need to stop charges being issued in the first place, especially where the driver has done nothing wrong.”
The RAC’s head of policy, Simon Williams, also called for the banning of debt recovery fees and said the current industry-run appeals bodies should be replaced by a single independent one.
However, he added: “That said, the fact we finally have a code seven years on from the Private Parking Code of Practice Act becoming law is positive.
“While this isn’t quite the Christmas present we wanted for drivers, it should hopefully save many the stress of having to challenge unfair tickets.”
The government said it would be consulting on the issue of debt recovery fees, as well as other recommendations from the Competition and Markets Authority.