AA describes private parking firms as 'shark-like' - here's why drivers should always appeal a charge
Private parking operators are on course to issue almost 15million charges to drivers in Britain this year - and a poll has revealed how many motorists pay up even when they shouldn't have been issued one at all.
In a survey of almost 14,000 UK drivers, one in 20 (5 per cent) said they would pay up immediately, even if they hadn't broken any parking rules in the first place.
The AA, which conducted the survey, has described private parking operators as 'shark-like businesses' that are scaring the nation's motorists into paying unfair penalty charge notices (PCNs) by issuing intimidating letters threatening debt collection visits.
It also revealed a significant lack of confidence in the appeals process and perceived success rate when drivers attempt to challenge unfair charges.
The motoring organisation blasted delays by the government introducing a robust code of practice to protect motorists from unscrupulous private parking operators, which it described as 'scandalous'.
For those who have received an unfair ticket, This is Money has a comprehensive guide to help you take the fight to operators.
One in 20 AA members polled said they would pay up immediately if they received a parking charge notice from a private company - even if they had done nothing wrong
Of the survey respondents that would pay an unjustified PCN, just over half (53 per cent) said they would do so because 'it gets rid of the hassle'.
Some 13 per cent said they felt they would not get a fair hearing at an appeal, while 11 per cent would fear legal action.
Private companies chase vehicle owners for alleged infringements in private car parks, such as at shopping centres, leisure facilities and motorway service areas.
Each ticket issued can be up to £100.
For years, these firms have been accused of using misleading and confusing signs, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees.
Complaints have increased as more property owners and businesses have handed over enforcement responsibility for their land to private parking operators over recent years.
It is now commonplace for locations such as supermarkets, train stations, shopping centres, fast food outlets and business parks to use private parking firms.
An investigation by the PA news agency last week found drivers across England say they are being sent tickets because of faulty machines, which one campaigner claiming the devices are 'set up to trap people'.
Car parks ran by these companies are enforced by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, which identify if motorists overstay restricted periods or return to their vehicles after their time allowance has lapsed.
Each time an operator wants to issue a PCN, they must request the vehicle owner's details from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), which the government agency charges a processing fee of £2.50.
It is now commonplace for locations such as supermarkets (including this Tesco Extra story in Barnsley), train stations, shopping centres, fast food outlets and business parks to use private parking firms
An investigation by the RAC just days ago revealed that the DVLA had received 7.2 million requests for driver information from operators in the six months to the end of September 2024.
That was up 12 per cent from the same period a year earlier and represented an average of 41,000 per day.
And the report exposed the five companies responsible for nearly half of driver details requests in order to chase them over charges.
The five parking companies which issued 45 per cent of tickets between April and September last year were ParkingEye (1,129,000), Euro Car Parks (892,000), Horizon Parking (440,000), Smart Parking (424,000) and APCOA Parking (367,000).
The AA blasted delays by government introducing a robust code of practice to protect motorists from unscrupulous private parking operators, which it described as 'scandalous'
Why are drivers not being protected?
A Bill to enable the introduction of a government-backed code for private parking companies received royal assent under Tory power in March 2019.
This is Money was vocal about changes to how private parking firms operate - and before he was Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak write a piece for us saying 'the rogue operators are on their way out for good.'
However, the code was withdrawn in June 2022 after a legal challenge by parking companies.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: 'The delay in implementing the official government code is scandalous.
'Six years on, no part of the legislation has been introduced to protect and safeguard drivers from an aggressive industry.
'The fact that drivers are willing to pay up when they have done nothing wrong, nor have any confidence in the current appeals process, shows why urgent action is needed.
'We are hugely concerned that the Government is standing idly by while drivers continue to receive threatening letters from a sector that works on the basis of guilty until proven innocent.
'Urgent action is needed, and introducing the rules by the end of the year will help wrestle back some of the balance in favour of the motorist.
'Until the measures within the Act are in place, drivers will continue to be attacked by these shark-like businesses.'
Local growth minister Alex Norris responded to the AA's report, stating: 'We inherited a dysfunctional private parking market that has lacked crucial transparency and protection for motorists, leading to unfair and unjustified charges.
'Parliament legislated for a legally binding Code of practice six years ago with cross-party support but the four previous administrations all failed to implement it.
'Where they failed, we are determined to act.
'That is why we are working at pace to drive up standards by bringing forward a stronger, more robust legal private Parking code of practice.'
Will Hurley, chief executive of trade body the International Parking Community, said: 'Data shows that the appeals system is a vital and effective safeguard for motorists: one in four who appeal to the operator are successful.
'If a motorist believes a parking charge has been issued in error, we urge them to appeal and submit evidence.
'This process exists to ensure fairness and protect the motorists.'
The AA's report also found a growing trend for people approaching Citizens Advice regarding private parking operators.
The organisation told the AA it had helped 9,926 people in relation to the issue in 2024/25, compared with 7,412 people three years earlier.
