Motoring groups calling for action as private parking tickets hit a record 14.4m

BRITAIN'S drivers were handed a record 14.4 million parking tickets by private companies in 2024/25, figures show.

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Motoring groups said the analysis of official data by the PA news agency demonstrates the "urgent" need for the Government to reintroduce a code of practice for the sector.

The daily rate that tickets were issued by private companies in the year to the end of March was 39,374.

The total over the period was up 13% compared with the 12.8 million during the previous year, and more than double the 6.8 million in 2018/2019.

Parking industry bodies have insisted the rising number of tickets issued is simply a result of the increase in the amount of car parks being privately managed, but motoring organisations dispute this claim.

Each ticket can be up to £100, meaning the total daily cost to drivers may be near £3.9 million at the current rate.

Private parking businesses have been accused of using misleading and confusing signs, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees.