Drivers across Britain are being slapped with nearly 40,000 private parking fines every single day, and the DVLA is cashing in, raking in close to £100,000 every 24 hours by selling driver details.
In 2024–25, private parking companies made a record 14.4 million requests for driver info, including names and home addresses, so they could issue fines. That’s up 13% from the year before and works out to about 39,375 fines a day.
With each fine potentially up to £100, the total daily cost to UK drivers could be pushing £4 million.
Private firms can issue charges if you overstay in supermarkets, retail parks, motorway service stations or restaurant car parks. But before they can post you a charge, they have to get your details from the DVLA, which costs them just £2.50 per request.
Based on this volume, the DVLA made £35.9 million last year just by selling your info to private parking firms.
What’s the Government doing about it?
Back in 2019, the Government promised to crack down on dodgy parking firms with a new Code of Practice. Six years later, still nothing. The code was briefly introduced but pulled in 2022 after a legal challenge, and drivers are still waiting.
The RAC Foundation says ministers are “soft-pedalling” on the issue, despite a doubling of fines since 2019.
Who’s handing out the most fines?
Out of the 184 private firms requesting data, just five companies were responsible for nearly half of all charges. ParkingEye issued 2.3 million fines, Euro Car Parks 1.7 million, APCOA Parking 960,000, Horizon Parking 875,000, and Civil Enforcement Ltd 685,000.
Most of these companies use 24/7 number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras. When your car is spotted breaking a rule, they request your details from the DVLA, then send a fine.
The British Parking Association (BPA) says only 0.3% of parking events on private land result in a fine, and that a new Single Code of Practice was introduced in 2024 to standardise rules.
But the AA called the new code “watered down,” saying it doesn’t go far enough to stop unfair fines.
The BPA also says the rise in fines is down to more sites using enforcement, not more drivers breaking the rules. They recommend using the independent appeals process, POPLA, if you think your fine is unfair.
The RAC says the industry is booming, and it’s clear more drivers are getting stung than ever.
RAC policy chief Simon Williams said it’s time for the Government to finally act and launch a proper code with real protection. He also criticised the lack of a truly independent appeals system, saying too many drivers are still being chased by aggressive debt collectors for unfair tickets.
One of the biggest offenders, Euro Car Parks, has been accused of issuing £100 fines even when drivers paid correctly, because the machines didn’t register their number plates properly.
In Leicestershire, drivers say they were bullied into paying fines after using faulty machines at Syston Town Square car park. One said they’d “rather go to prison” than hand over more money.
A viral video even shows a driver typing in their reg, but the wrong letters and numbers popping up on the screen.
The RAC called the situation “scandalous” and says it’s not an isolated case.
So, can you stop your info being shared?
Nope. If you park on private land and a company claims you broke the rules, they can legally ask the DVLA for your details. The DVLA insists it has safeguards in place and only works with accredited firms.
A spokesperson said the fee is simply to cover costs and that parking firms have a right to pursue legal claims.
What Happens Next?
The Government says it understands the issue and that updates on a new private parking code are coming soon.
But drivers have heard that before – and with 14 million fines issued in just one year, many are asking: how much longer will it take?
