Drivers warned ‘protect yourself’ after £1.4bn of parking fines in 1 year
Motorists are facing having to pay up a huge amount, according to recent figures (Image: Getty)
Motorists have been told to protect themselves after Brits were forced to hand over a huge amount of cash in fines over 12 months. Drivers face nearly £1.5billion in private parking charges, experts said, as parking companies issued a record 14.4million tickets in a year. Leaving your vehicle in car parks operated by private companies, such as at a supermarket, airport or restaurant, means entering into a contract with the landowner, specialists have reminded motorists, and breaching it can result in a parking charge notice (PCN).
With each these typically start at £100, and Brits could collectively be facing bills of up to £1.4billon, according to figures from the most recent financial year, unless they manage to appeal or secure a reduced fee, car leasing deals comparison site LeaseLoco said.
John Wilmot, its CEO and founder, said: “With drivers potentially facing up to £1.4 billion in private parking charges in a single year, this is no longer a minor issue.
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Some UK car parks are managed by private firms (Image: Getty)
“At a time when the cost of motoring is already high, private parking fines can feel like an extra sting for motorists who’ve made an honest mistake. Even being a few minutes late can land them with a £100 fine.
“Until stricter regulations for private car park operators are enforced, it’s vital that drivers protect themselves by checking signage carefully, keeping track of time and knowing their rights if a charge is issued.
“Many fines can be successfully appealed, so motorists shouldn’t assume they should pay up straight away if they feel it’s not fair.”
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Five “practical tips” from LeaseLoco for avoiding private parking fines
1. Read signage carefully before parking
Before leaving your vehicle, always take a moment to read the parking signs in full, paying close attention to time limits, payment requirements and any restrictions.
2. Ensure vehicle is parked in a marked bay
Make sure your car is parked fully within the lines of a marked bay, as private operators are known to issue tickets for even being a little bit out of line. Also, make sure to never park in a disabled bay if you don’t have a blue badge.
Always note exactly when you arrived and how long you’re allowed to park, as private parking companies may issue PCNs even if you’re only a few minutes late. Setting a timer on your phone can help avoid accidentally overstaying, especially as there is no guaranteed 10-minute grace period in private car parks.
4. Don’t pay the fine straight away if you think it’s unfair
If you receive a PCN that doesn’t seem right, avoid paying it immediately. This can be seen as accepting liability, which means you can’t then subsequently appeal.
When challenging a PCN, provide as much supporting evidence as possible, such as photos of unclear signage, proof of payment, timestamps or mitigating circumstances. If your initial appeal is rejected, you may be able to escalate it to an independent appeals service.
