Private companies handed over more than 22,000 parking tickets per day to motorists – and this despite the fact that car use fell during the pandemic.

  • Private parking companies hand motorists over 22,000 fines every day 
  • This is even though motor usage has fallen in the last few years because of Covid
  • Each charge dished out could cost drivers up to £100 










New research has shown that private parking companies charge motorists more than 22,000 per day.

Based on analysis by PA News Agency of data from the government, companies charged four million British motorists parking fees between April and September.

This was even though car usage had been more than 25% below levels pre-coronavirus-pandemic in the first half of the six month period.

The total amount for the fiscal year, if charges continue at the current rate, will be close to 8.4 million set in 2020 to 2019.

Private parking companies give drivers an average of 22,000 tickets per day

These figures show how many times the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has requested records of parking companies to pursue car owners who are accused of infringing on private car parks, such as those at leisure centres and shopping centers.

Each resultant charge can cost drivers up to £100.

Steve Gooding (director of motoring research charity, the RAC Foundation) stated: ‘The sheer amount of tickets being issued are a clear indicator that something is wrong in the current system.

‘We believe there are very few drivers who set out to intentionally break the rules and consequently get stuck with a bill for up to £100, particularly if all they were doing was dropping off some of the myriad parcel deliveries we’ve been ordering this year to an apartment block or industrial estate.

“Our tip to drivers: Never ignore a parking fee notice.” It’s important to read it and, no matter how strongly you feel, dispute it.

Between April and September 2016, 163 businesses requested the records of car owners. 

ParkingEye, which had nearly 900,000. records was found to be the most popular buyer.

Experts believe the large number of tickets being issued is a sign the system isn't working

Experts think the high number of tickets issued may be a sign that the system isn’t functioning.

Gooding stated that the private parking business was the one sector which had been most resilient under Covid. The industry continues to attract new participants and will issue more tickets this year than it did in 2008.

The DVLA charges private firms £2.50 per record and says its charges are set to recover the cost of providing the information, and it does not make any money from the process.

Ministerial clearance is needed for measures to prevent drivers from being treated unfairly by parking companies.

They include a Government-sanctioned code of practice, a single appeals service, and a system of charges and penalties more in line with those levied by councils.

Over the years, there have been many tickets 

Here is the RAC Foundation’s list of vehicle keeper records that parking management companies have obtained from DVLA since 2006/07.

Fourth half of 2021/22 – 4million

2020/21: 4.4million

2019/20: 8.4million

2018/19: 6.8million

2017/18: 5.7million

2016/17: 4.7million

2015/16: 3.7million

2014/15: 3.1million

2013/14: 2.4million

2012/13: 1.9million

2011/12: 1.6million

2010/11: 1.2million

2009/10: 1million

2008/09: 700,000

2007/08: 500,000

2006/07: 300,000

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