Ever feel like you're getting rinsed just for parking your car outside your own house? Well, you might be — especially if you live in certain parts of the UK where residents’ parking permits now cost more than £1,000 a year.
A new study by Churchill Car Insurance has revealed which areas are charging the most, and spoiler alert: it’s not just Londoners feeling the pinch.
How Much Are People Paying?
Across major UK towns and cities, the average annual resident parking permit now sits at £128. But in one London borough, drivers are paying over eight times that amount.
Islington tops the list, charging up to £1,073.60 a year for residents with big diesel cars — specifically those with engines over 2,751cc or emitting more than 256g/km of CO2. Meanwhile, if you drive an electric vehicle (EV), you’ll pay just £111.70 for the same permit.
But London doesn't have a total monopoly on pricey parking. Edinburgh comes in second, with drivers of polluting cars paying up to £777.90 a year, and Camden isn’t far behind at £741.40.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the highest charges:
| Council | Max Annual Cost | What It’s Based On |
|---|---|---|
| Islington (London) | £1,073.60 | Diesel, 2751cc+ or 256g/km CO2. EV: £111.70 |
| Edinburgh | £777.90 | Emissions over 226g/km. Includes £60 diesel surcharge |
| Camden (London) | £741.40 | Emissions over 225g/km. Diesel pays £195.20 extra |
| Tower Hamlets (London) | £497.00 | Over 186g/km CO2. EV permits: £38–£79 |
| Brighton & Hove | £441.65 | Over 166g/km CO2 in high-demand zones |
| Brent (London) | £429.00 | Diesel, over 201g/km CO2 or 2400cc |
| Enfield (London) | £395.00 | Engine over 2000cc |
| Lewisham (London) | £384.00 | Non-Euro 6 vehicles |
| Westminster (London) | £371.00 | Over 256g/km CO2 |
| Southwark (London) | £336.10 | Diesel cars that aren’t ULEZ compliant |
| Glasgow | £328.00 | City centre zone |
| Kensington & Chelsea (London) | £324.00 | Engine over 1549cc. Diesel surcharge: £82 |
Why So Expensive?
In short, many councils are shifting to an emissions-based pricing model, meaning the more polluting your car, the more you’ll pay. Diesel drivers and owners of older or larger engines are getting hit hardest, while EV drivers often get the cheapest rates.
But it's not just emissions — some areas charge more just for owning a second car. In Islington, for example, you’ll be charged an extra £108.55 for your second permit. Edinburgh charges an even steeper £215.40 extra for car number two.
One of the biggest takeaways? There’s no consistent system across the UK. For instance:
- Camden’s top-tier pricing kicks in at 226g/km CO2.
- Brighton starts charging top rates at just 166g/km CO2.
- Some cities like Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, and Sunderland don’t even charge at all for a single car.
At the other end of the scale, the cheapest place to park? Blackpool, where a resident's permit costs just £15 a year.
Getting a permit isn’t as simple as filling in a form. Many councils now require:
- Proof of address
- Your V5C logbook
- Car insurance documents
- Your driving licence
- A lease or hire agreement (if applicable)
If you drive a company car, it’s even more hassle. Tower Hamlets, for example, asks for a detailed letter from your employer with job title, address, reg number and more.
If you live in a city, expensive permits might not be the only cost you’re dealing with. Add on things like London’s ULEZ (£12.50 a day) or the Congestion Charge (£15) and you’re potentially spending hundreds more a month just to use your car.
Check your car's Low Emission Zone exemption status for free with Regit's ULEZ Checker.
Scotland has its own Low Emission Zones (LEZs) in places like Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee. If your car doesn’t meet the rules, you could be fined at least £60 per day.
On top of parking fees, the government also recently doubled first-year car tax for high-emission vehicles. If you're buying a polluting new car (think muscle cars like the Ford Mustang), you could be slapped with a £5,490 tax bill straight away.
Parking your car in the UK can be a real money pit depending on where you live and what you drive. EV drivers are seeing the benefits of lower costs, while anyone with an older diesel is facing a financial headache.
If you're planning to upgrade your car or move to a new area, it might be worth checking the local parking charges — because it could cost you a lot more than just rent or a car payment.
