We’ve all done it – parked up at the shops, gym, or stopped at a motorway services and returned to our car to find a ticket on the dashboard. Chances are this fine has come from a private company, and with private parking fines on the rise, it could be a costly mistake.
Drivers across the UK are being caught out by misleading car park signs, confusing payment machines or apps and unfair enforcement tactics. What may seem small can quickly spiral, especially when money’s already tight. So why is this still happening, and when will things change? We’ve broken it all down for you below.
Private Parking Fines at a Glance: Key Statistics
According to government figures analysed by the Press Association and the RAC Foundation:
- Around 4.3 million parking tickets were handed out between April and June this year (over 846,000 more than the same period in 2024).
- 48,000 parking fines are issued daily, with private firms generating up to £4.8 million every 24 hours.
Why This Matters:
Many drivers have complained about the conduct used by these private parking fine companies, stating they use:
- Misleading signs & confusing payment machines
- Aggressive debt collection practices
- Unreasonable fees
Can anything be done about private parking fines?
Yes, a new consultation on the code of practice used by these private firms is currently in the works. The government initially planned to close this on 5th September, but this has since been delayed.
A Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson has said: “Our private parking code of practice will stamp out unfair charges and drive up standards in the industry – we’ll work quickly to bring in these changes.”
If Labour’s new code of practice is similar to the one that was withdrawn by the previous government, then it could include changes like:
- Capping parking fines for most offences at £50
- Introducing a fairer appeals system
- Banning the use of aggressive language on tickets
What should I look out for in the meantime?
It goes without saying that you should always read car park signs very carefully before leaving your vehicle in them. If the payment machine is misleading, ask someone for help.
One firm to look out for is ParkingEye, as they bought 668,000 vehicle owner records between April and June this year in order to chase people for alleged infringements in private car parks.
How do I challenge unfair private parking fines?
If you think you have been wrongly accused of parking illegally, you can appeal your charge online on most private car park management company websites directly. E.g. ParkingEye, Euro Car Parks.
After you’ve done that, we would recommend checking if the company who is charging you is part of the BPA (British Parking Association) or IPC (International Parking Community).
If so, take it one step further to the BPA or IPC’s independent appeals service, such as POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals) for BPA members, or the IAS (Independent Appeal Service) for IPC members. Make sure you keep evidence like photos, receipts and witness statements.
Have you been hit with unfair private parking fines?
If you’ve been hit with unfair parking fines or other unexpected costs, you’re not alone. Sudden payments can put pressure on your wallet, fast. Especially if you’re already juggling priority debts and the ever-growing cost of living.
If you’re struggling to make ends meet, please don’t hesitate to contact Angel Advance and receive free*, confidential debt advice today. Our approachable debt advisors are available to chat over the phone, via email, through WhatsApp or in a webchat.
If we advise signing up for a debt solution, you can view your options straight away with our online debt advice tool – any time, day or night. Free and easy-to-use, our tool will tell you which solutions are available to you on-screen, instantly.
*Our advice is free, but if you sign up for a debt solution, a fee will apply for some solutions.
Private Parking Fines: FAQs
Council-issued parking fines (otherwise known as Penalty Charge Notices) are backed by law. Whereas, private parking fines (Parking Charge Notices) are invoices sent to you by private companies who rely on contract law, rather than traffic enforcement law – these are not official fines.
However, both the council and private firms can take you to court via a County Court Judgement (CCJ) and send bailiffs to your home.
Always check the wording on the letter you’ve received through the post. If your fine is from a private company, the notice will be called a Parking Charge Notice.
You can also tell by checking whether the company that sent the letter is part of the BPA (British Parking Association) or IPC (International Parking Community).
Yes, private parking fines can be pursued in court via a County Court Judgement (CCJ) if you don’t pay your notice. If the court finds you have breached the company’s contract to park, you could end up facing a higher charge that includes court fees and legal costs.
They may also use debt collectors and bailiffs.
