Private parking companies upsurge over 24% in the dispensing of parking fines to motorists
The government has reopened a consultation on the code of conduct for the private parking sector, following concerns over transparency, protection for motorists, and fair practices. The extension to the consultation has allowed for updated statistics to come to light, shedding light on the current state of the private parking market.
The private parking industry has faced criticism for various reasons, including the use of confusing signage, aggressive debt collection methods, and excessive fees. Some payment machines are reportedly complicated, allegedly designed to trap drivers into incurring fines. These issues have led to a public outcry, with some arguing that changes are necessary in private parking management.
Analysis shows that private firms issued 4.3 million parking tickets between April and June 2025, a 24% increase from the same period in 2024. During this period, the daily average of parking fines issued was nearly 48,000. Each ticket can carry a maximum charge of £100, potentially resulting in daily bills approaching £4.8 million for drivers.
However, it's important to note that the figures analyzed do not cover council-run car parks. The DVLA charges £2.50 per record for providing vehicle owner information, and during the three months to the end of June 2025, 184 parking management companies requested vehicle owner records. ParkingEye was the most active company, purchasing 668,000 records.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government aims to stamp out unfair charges and drive up standards in the private parking industry. In March 2019, a Bill that aimed to reduce the cap on parking charges to £50, introduce a fairer appeals process, and ban aggressive language on penalty notices received royal assent. The Bill was scheduled to come into effect by the end of 2023, but it was withdrawn in June 2022 after legal challenges from private parking companies.
In June last year, the British Parking Association (BPA) and the International Parking Community published a joint code of practice. The BPA welcomes the government's consultation on private parking and is working constructively to respond. The BPA spokesperson states that 99.6% of parking visits do not result in a charge.
The private parking code of practice proposed by the government aims to address these issues, ensuring transparency, fairness, and protection for motorists. The consultation will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to voice their opinions and contribute to the development of a more efficient and fair private parking market.
