Private parking companies are facing calls to "come clean" about how often drivers successfully overturn unfair tickets through the appeals process. The RAC has demanded greater transparency from the industry, arguing it would either expose widespread problems or reassure motorists that complaints are handled fairly.
Analysis by the motoring organisation reveals that the two main appeals bodies publish extremely limited data about their decisions, with some information significantly out of date. This lack of transparency comes as UK drivers face a record number of private parking tickets.
Appeals data remains hidden
Parking on Private Land Appeals (Popla) has yet to release its annual report for the year ending September 2024. Meanwhile, the Independent Appeals Service (IAS) published its 2024 report but failed to disclose how many appeals were successful or rejected.
The last time the IAS revealed this crucial information was in 2021/22, when a staggering 94 per cent of cases were decided in favour of parking operators. This suggests drivers have little chance of successfully challenging tickets through the official process.
Record ticket numbers hit drivers
Recent analysis by PA found that private companies issued a record 14.4 million parking tickets to UK drivers in the year to March 2024. This represents a 13 per cent increase from 12.8 million the previous year and more than double the 6.8 million handed out in 2018/19.
With each ticket potentially costing up to £100, drivers may be paying nearly £3.9 million daily at current rates. The dramatic rise in ticket numbers has intensified concerns about unfair enforcement practices across the private parking sector.
Industry claims disputed
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said the industry claims there isn't a problem with unfair tickets because drivers can appeal. "But while stories of drivers being treated poorly are all too common, data on the true number of complaints and successful appeals isn't available," he added.
Williams called for mandatory publication of complaints data, urging companies to voluntarily release the information in the meantime. The Government is currently consulting on long-awaited legislation to create a code of practice for private parking operators.
Government action promised
Local growth minister Alex Norris said earlier this month that "too many people are being unfairly penalised" by private parking companies. The consultation on new regulations represents the first serious attempt to regulate an industry that has grown rapidly without proper oversight.
The International Parking Community, which represents sector operators, said it is "committed to improving the transparency and accountability of private land parking practices". It urged the RAC to "work constructively" to explore what could be achieved together, while defending the sector's overall performance.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
