The great British park-off: 60% of drivers admit to parking illegally for convenience
Fri, 01 May 2026
Three fifths of Brits admit to parking illegally, for the sake of convenience.
A survey of 1000 motorists by Tiger.co.uk uncovered that a hefty 60% of drivers admit to running the risk of a penalty charge notice in order to save time.
Top of the list of indiscretions was parking on double yellow lines, with 19% of respondents admitting they took the chance. That's despite the fact that doing so is against the law and can lead to a fine from £70 to £160 depending on area.
One in 10 also admitted that they'd used a parent and child space when in a rush, while 5% said they used a disabled space in a pinch.
Top five parking violations according to Tiger.co.uk survey:
- Double yellow lines 19%
- Loading bay 12%
- Parent and child space 10%
- Resident-only bay 7%
- Bus stop 6%
Do as I say, not as I do
Interestingly, while owning up to misusing parking spots, 41% of people also said they would challenge someone who had parked in a restricted space if they didn't appear within their rights to do so.
Seemingly, reducing accessibility for those who actually need the added convenience designated spaces provide only matters when someone else is behind the wheel.
More widely, the results imply that the financial consequences of illegal parking don't outweigh the convenience of ticking another item off the to-do list.
“It’s worrying to see drivers disregard parking laws, especially those affecting disabled people and young families," says Ian Wilson, MD and car insurance expert at Tiger.co.uk.
“Parking in an inappropriate place, such as on a double yellow line, increases the risk of damage. As repair costs continue to increase, drivers may turn to their car insurance to cover the bill, potentially losing their no claims bonus and increasing premiums going forward.
Pavement parking bans are already in place in London and Scotland, attracting a £160 fine in the capital, and £100 north of the border. Councils in England get greater powers to fine motorists for poorly parked cars later this year.
