Drivers in the UK are being hit with a surge in private parking fines, according to reports by the RAC Foundation. Government data shows that more than 4.3 million tickets were issued between April and June 2025, representing a 24% rise on the same period last year. That equates to 48,000 tickets every day, generating as much as £4.8 million in charges.
The RAC Foundation analysis, based on Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) records, highlights the scale of the problem in car parks at shopping centres, leisure facilities and motorway services. The figures do not include council-run car parks, meaning the true number of penalties facing drivers is far higher.
The increase comes as long-promised reforms to the industry remain stalled. A new code of practice to cap charges, ban aggressive ticket wording and create a fairer appeals system has been delayed repeatedly, most recently due to legal challenges from parking firms.
Why drivers are being caught out
We have long accused private operators of using confusing signs, faulty payment machines and heavy-handed debt collection tactics to trap drivers. Many motorists have complained of being fined unfairly, with reports that some machines are ‘set up to catch people out’.
Although laws paving the way for a new code received Royal Assent back in 2019, successive governments have failed to enforce it. The current Labour government has promised to revive the reforms, but the latest consultation has already been pushed back.
Steve Gooding, Director of the RAC Foundation, said: ‘Not all motorists are blameless, but the private parking industry has become a one-way street to big profits. The millions and millions of tickets issued annually highlight the urgent need for proper oversight.’
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government added: ‘Our private parking code of practice will stamp out unfair charges and drive up standards in the industry. The consultation closes soon and we will move quickly to bring in these changes.’
What this means for you
If you park in a privately-run car park, you are more likely than ever to face a fine. With charges reaching £100 in some cases, a simple shopping trip could turn into a costly mistake.
The lack of a clear code of practice means drivers still face confusing rules and aggressive enforcement. Until reforms are introduced, you need to check signage carefully, take photos if you are unsure, and keep payment receipts.
Appealing a ticket can be a long and frustrating process. While some operators play fair, others will pursue motorists relentlessly. Being proactive and informed is the best way to protect yourself.
Editor’s view: this has to change
This is an intolerable situation, and yet another example of drivers being fleeced here in the UK. I’ve never liked the idea of private parking firms running roughshod over drivers, and these latest numbers confirm what many of us have felt for years – the system is stacked against us. It’s hard not to see this industry as a money-spinner rather than a fair way of managing car parks.
Of course, we all need to park responsibly. But when companies are making millions every single day from penalties, you can’t help but question their motives. Drivers deserve clarity, fairness and transparency, not a lottery of fines.
I’ll be watching closely to see if this long-overdue new code of practice actually delivers when it actually appears. If it caps charges, stops the sharp practices and makes appeals easier, it will be a genuine win for drivers. Until then, keep your guard up in private car parks.
And if you do get caught out, you know where to come for advice to contest these sharks.
Keith Adams – Editor, Parkers
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