Private parking firms are issuing over 43,000 parking tickets to motorists every day, according to new research by Churchill Motor Insurance.
Churchill scrutinised Government data and found private parking firms made a record 7.7 million requests to the DVLA for vehicle records in the first six months of the 2024/25 financial year.
That’s approx. 15.4 million a year – an increase of approx. 21% on 12.7 million recorded the previous year.
This is a record average of over 43,000 private parking tickets issued every day – one every two seconds. This is up nearly 5% from the previous quarter when the RAC Foundation found 3.8 million private parking tickets were issued to motorists by private parking firms between July and September 2024 – an average of 41,052 a day.
Each ticket can cost up to £100, meaning the total annual cost to motorists could exceed £1.5bn.
The DVLA charges private parking operators £2.50 per record for Keeper details. This means that the DVLA received over £39 million in revenue and over £107,500 every day.
The DVLA says its fees are set to recover the cost of providing the information and it does not make any money from the process.
This is clearly a lucrative industry. The number of private parking firms accessing the DVLA keeper database has increased by 45% in the past 5 years – up from 133 to 193 companies.
Private parking firms have been accused of using misleading and confusing signs, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees.
Legalese and intimidating jargon on these invoices is also an issue, some of which is misleading and inaccurate.
WHAT CHURCHILL SAY
Nicholas Mantel, head of Churchill Motor Insurance, said:
“Anyone using a private parking space needs to follow the rules of the specific car park, which should be clearly displayed, or they could risk a parking ticket.
“Rules often differ by location, so we would encourage all drivers to check carefully for the terms and conditions of use, to avoid being issued with a potentially expensive parking ticket.
“If you’ve received a ticket and believe there are mitigating circumstances or that it was issued in error, it’s crucial to gather evidence to help increase your chances of a successful appeal.”
Private landowners like supermarkets, fast food restaurants and shopping centres often sub-contract their parking operations to private parking firms who can charge for parking on these properties.”
PRIVATE PARKING CODE OF PRACTICE CONSULTATION
A long awaited Code of Practice was originally laid before Parliament in February 2022. The UK Government withdrew it five months later following a legal challenge by private parking companies.
A new call for evidence on the issue closed on 8 October 2023. Responses were invited and welcomed from anyone who wished to respond.
A further consultation will follow on the options for parking charges and debt recovery fees.
15 March 2025 marks the six-year anniversary of the Parking (Code of Practice) Bill becoming law. Ministers passed the law after promising to regulate private parking operators.
The private parking industry threatened a legal challenge, resulting in the framework being withdrawn in June 2022.
A Department for Levelling Up and Housing spokesman said last year:
“The Government continues to work with the industry and consumer groups to reissue the Code as quickly as possible.”
This was never going to be a priority in an election year. I think it’s unlikely it will ever see the light of day in the foreseeable future.
THE PRIVATE PARKING SECTOR SINGLE CODE OF PRACTICE
The International Parking Community (IPC) and British Parking Association (BPA) have created their own Private Parking Sector Single Code of Practice.
This is the watered-down version of the UK Government Code of Practice and was published on 27 June 2024 to be implemented on 1 October 2024.
KEY POINTS IN THE NEW PRIVATE PARKING CODE OF PRACTICE
- Mandatory 10 minute grace period for Parking Charge Notices.
- A consistent set of signage and rules.
The single Code of Practice creates a unified set of rules that dictates signage, create consistency and clarity for motorists. Signage must be clear to give motorists an opportunity to read the T & Cs and make an informed decision before entering into the contract.
- A clear and transparent Appeals Charter for those challenging Parking Charge Notices (not fines) for alleged breach of contract for parking on private land.
- A cap on the parking charge at £100 reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.
The BPA and IPC has stressed that the new Code of Practice will continue to protect the most vulnerable in society. There will be no decrease to the deterrent for abuse of Blue Badge bays or those who choose to park selfishly by putting their own convenience above the needs or rights of others.
Private parking operators who don’t comply risk expulsion from the Trade Associations. Membership is the only way to access the DVLA database, which allows private parking operators access to keeper details and issue Parking Charge Notices.
UPDATES AND EXEMPTIONS
Amendments were made in response to high profile cases on 17 February 2025 on what has been called ‘the 5 minute rule’ to protect motorists from unfair Parking Charge Notices.
This ‘5 minute rule’ was originally intended as a grace period to read signs and consider whether you want to enter into the contract to park – not an arbitrary time limit to pay for parking.
The 10 minute grace period does not apply at short-stay locations, despite all publicity trumpeting the blanket period.
If the keeper declines to name the driver, the operator is allowed to assume the keeper was the driver. This is inconsistent with the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A COUNCIL PARKING TICKET AND A PRIVATE PARKING TICKET?
Private parking tickets are called Parking Charge Notices and are invoices for a breach of contract on private land.
These invoices are deliberately designed to look like an official Council issued Penalty Charge Notice. Private parking operators use legalese jargon to intimidate and force you to pay an invoice for an alleged breach of contract.
A private parking operator cannot fine you. A private parking operator must belong to an accredited Trade Association to access keeper details from the DVLA. They must adhere to the Trade Association’s Code of Practice to do so.
You cannot ignore a private parking ticket. They can be pursued through the Small Claims Court as a debt and you risk incurring a County Court Judgement (CCJ).
A CCJ wrecks your credit record and ability to secure affordable mortgages, loans, mobile phone contracts, etc.
Council parking tickets are called Penalty Charge Notices. These are legally enforceable and are fines issued by local authorities for infringements on public highways.
REASONS TO APPEAL A PARKING TICKET
Local authorities and private parking operators rarely do anything right or by the book. Evidence is key on all appeals. It is important that you keep all receipts, photos, screenshots of a payment confirmation and any evidence you have to support an appeal.
The most popular appeal relates to obscure and hidden signs. All signs need to be clearly visible and to a prescribed criteria so you can make an informed decision. It cannot be said that you were given sufficient guidance to make an informed decision if this is the case.
Illegal signs = illegal fines.
PRIVATE PARKING TICKET APPEAL LETTER TEMPLATES
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MY VIEW
The unregulated private parking industry is potentially worth over £1.5 billion pounds a year and is out of control. It’s hard to believe that over 43,000 motorists are knowingly breaking parking rules every day. Land owners need ways of protecting themselves from parking abuse but we’re now miles over the line.
This watered-down Code of Practice doesn’t go far enough. This new Code of Practice was introduced to appease the UK Government’s more stringent Code of Practice which they frustrated with a legal challenge. This Code of Practice is a watered-down version of the Government’s version which they legally challenged in June 2022.
Most Parking Charge Notices are issued by ANPR cameras which do not take into account grace periods or other mitigating circumstances. Motorists remain vulnerable to predatory tactics by private parking operators who routinely flout the voluntary Code of Practice which is rarely enforced on its members who fund it.
It does not address the use of third party debt collectors. They are “strangers to the debt” and use legalese jargon to intimidate and coerce motorists into paying up to £170.
Motorists cannot rely on the industry to regulate itself and make up the rules as they go along. We urgently need a proper UK Government Code of Practice to create a level playing field for motorists.
There is currently no accountability, no comeback or independent regulator. It’s a free for all.
This is just smoke and mirrors. Nothing will change so long as this unregulated industry is allowed to police themselves. I want to see a proper Government Code of Practice that can be properly enforced.
FINALLY
Have you been hit with unfair private parking tickets? Hit a pothole and don’t know where to start with a claim? A pothole claim can cost hundreds of pounds in damage and repairs to your vehicle.
You have a 1 in 4 chance of being hit with a parking ticket.
The average cost of a private parking ticket is £100 discounted to £60 if paid within 14 days.
You may never need to pay it at all. Few people contest a parking ticket, yet at least 40% succeed at the second stage.
You can find out more in my book.
It’s time for you to fight back. Knowledge is power – use it.
Do you think more should be done to regulate private parking firms?
