Drivers would pay parking fines even if they were innocent

Richard Aucock, Contributor
Fri, 02 May 2025

Drivers would pay private parking charges even if they were certain they’d done nothing wrong, according to a new survey.

One in 20 drivers quizzed by the AA said they would pay up immediately, with more than half of them explaining they’d do so because it gets rid of the hassle.

Almost 15% would pay because they felt they wouldn’t get a fair hearing at appeal – and 11% said they’d pay due to fearing legal action.

While more than half of drivers who received a parking charge notice (PCN) would appeal, just 1 in 3 felt confident they would be successful.

The AA believes it is the "scandalous delay" in implementing the official government parking code of practice that is leading so many motorists to pay up early.

This is despite parliament passing a Bill six years ago to enact The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019.

Rules were subsequently withdrawn following a legal challenge from the private parking industry.

"No part of the legislation has been introduced to protect and safeguard drivers from an aggressive industry," says head of roads policy Jack Cousens.

"The fact that drivers are willing to pay up when they have done nothing wrong, nor have any confidence in the current appeals process, shows why urgent action is needed."

The AA is hugely concerned that the government is apparently doing nothing "while drivers continue to receive threatening letters from a sector that works on the basis of guilty until proven innocent."

"Urgent action is needed. Until the measures within the Act are in place, drivers will continue to be attacked by these shark-like businesses," addas Cousens.

While the private parking industry has introduced its own code of practice, the AA said it does not endorse this. It says that 5% of drivers have been hoodwinked into believing that this self-authored code is the official government-backed document.

The AA is now calling on the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to introduce the official government-backed scheme by the end of 2025.

Ask HJ

Is the driver or owner responsible for a parking fine?

I have a Mobility car that my mother drives and she had a parking ticket from the council. They say I must pay it but I cannot drive and wasn't in the car?

The person driving the vehicle at the time of the offence is liable for the parking ticket, in the same way that they would be liable if they committed a speeding offence. You should inform the council or the company responsible for issuing the ticket of the person who was in charge of the vehicle at the time.

Answered by David Ross

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