Izzy Lepone 25 April 2025

RAC fears private parking firms are escaping scrutiny

RAC fears private parking firms are escaping scrutiny image
© Gulpa / Shutterstock.com.

Private firms that run local car parks are set to issue a record 14.5 million tickets to drivers this year.

The number of requests for vehicle owner details sent to the DVLA has risen by 12% throughout the first half of the 2024/25 financial year.

During this period car park management companies have sent 7.2 million inquiries, or 41,000 each day, priced at £2.50 per request.

Recent DVLA data indicates that the latter half of the financial year will see almost 14.5 million drivers being sent parking charge notices valued at £100 if the current request pattern persists.

According to the RAC, a lack of surveillance could be contributing towards the spike in parking charges and facilitating unjust treatment of drivers, particularly since the withdrawal of the Private Parking Code of Practice in 2022.

Almost half of the 7.2 million vehicle keeper inquiries belonging to the 2024-25 financial year have been made by five companies: ParkingEye (1.1m), Euro Car Parks (891,600), Horizon Parking (439,896), Smart Parking (423,809) and APCOA Parking (367,465).

Furthermore, the ParkingEye’s total requests accounted for 16% of the final number recorded by the DVLA.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams commented: ‘As drivers don’t generally set out to break the rules, we fear more may be being treated unfairly by private parking companies that are still operating without government scrutiny.’ ‘Unfortunately, despite legislation being passed more than five years ago to prevent poor industry conduct, the Private Parking Code of Practice has never come into force due to a legal challenge.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Part Time Finance Administrator

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum + Pro Rata
Part Time Finance AdministratorPermanent, Part Time£25,081 per annum, full time equivalentLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Customer Services Adviser (Housing Repairs

Mansfield District Council
£28,598 - £33,699 per annum
Mansfield is a town of towns at the centre of things in Nottinghamshire - a place of many strong connections Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Mansfield District Council

No Wrong Door Deputy Manager

North Yorkshire Council
From £47,181 up to £51,356 per annum pro rata
We’re looking for a passionate, driven, and dynamic professional to join our management team within our innovative No Wrong Door (NWD) service. Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior Resource Centre Worker

North Yorkshire Council
£34,434 - £38,220 per annum pro rata
You will work closely with families and other professionals to ensure that you have sound knowledge of the children you are caring for Morton on Swale, Northallerton
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Social Worker

North Yorkshire Council
£38,220 - £42,839 per annum, pro rata
Our Family Assessment and Support Teams you will work with a range of children and their families, carers and networks. Selby, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner