The withdrawal of government parking regulations has resulted in a significant increase in penalty charges, leading to widespread criticism from both drivers and campaigners. 

According to an analysis by the RAC of DVLA Keeper At Date Of Event (KADOE) data, private parking firms are projected to issue 14.5 million Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) in 2025. This follows the DVLA’s disclosure that KADOE requests from private parking companies reached 7.2 million in the first half of FY25, averaging about 41,000 requests per day. This marks a 12% increase compared to the same period a year prior, which saw 6.5 million requests. Notably, just five private parking firms -ParkingEye, Euro Car Parks, Horizon Parking, Smart Parking, and OPCOA Parking – accounted for approximately 45% of the total KADOE requests so far this year. ParkingEye alone submitted over 1.1 million requests, representing nearly 16% of the national total.

Adding to drivers’ concerns is the high cost of the fines. In many private car parks, PCN charges can reach up to £100, although some operators offer discounts for early payment. With millions more tickets anticipated and prices continuing to rise, the overall financial burden on drivers is increasing.

What is behind the rise in PCNs?

One likely cause of the surge in KADOE requests and subsequent PCNs is the withdrawal of the Private Parking Code of Practice in 2022.

Initially enacted in 2019, the code aimed to curb unscrupulous practices by standardising signage, appeal processes, and grace periods while also capping fines at £50 and banning excessive debt recovery fees. 

The move was welcomed by driver advocacy groups as a long-overdue check on an industry often accused of operating without oversight.

However, its rollout coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, which made it difficult to measure effectiveness due to an overall drop in traffic and PCNs. When lockdowns lifted, PCN volumes not only returned, but they also spiked above pre-pandemic levels, raising doubts about whether the code had any lasting deterrent effect.

Meanwhile, the parking industry pushed back. Major operators and trade bodies, including ParkingEye and the British Parking Association, argued that the fine caps and fee restrictions would harm enforcement and revenue, undermining deterrence.

Under pressure from the sector, the government withdrew the code in 2022 to reconsider the proposed fee structure and charges. This effectively returned the industry to self-regulation, removing key consumer protections and allowing firms to revert to practices that had previously drawn criticism.

Rising criticism of private parking firms

As PCN volumes soar, so too does criticism of the private parking sector, particularly around fairness, transparency, and the burden on drivers.

Trust in private enforcement is deteriorating, with drivers increasingly reporting unclear signage, harsh ticketing policies, and limited recourse once they are fined. The RAC and motoring organisations argue that many PCNs are issued for minor or accidental infractions that could be resolved with more transparent communication, rather than penalties.

The current system also places pressure on the legal system, with appeals often clogging up tribunals or ending up in county court, particularly when debt recovery firms become involved.

Wider social and environmental concerns are also being raised. In some town centres, fears of being unfairly fined have deterred drivers from visiting altogether, contributing to the decline of local high streets and reducing access for elderly or vulnerable people.

What’s next?

The government has promised to provide a revised version of the code; however, no specific timeline has been established. In the meantime, critics argue that the absence of enforceable standards enables private parking firms to operate with little accountability. They warn that if legislative protections are not reinstated, the current trend of record-breaking volumes of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) will continue unchecked.

How is Hozah making parking fairer for drivers?

The current private parking system has become increasingly hostile for drivers — confusing signage, unclear rules, and an overreliance on punitive charges have eroded public trust. With the government’s code of practice withdrawn and no replacement in sight, enforcement practices are inconsistent, and millions of drivers risk receiving fines for simple, honest mistakes like forgetting to pay or overstaying by minutes.

Hozah® offers a smarter, fairer solution. Its fully automated payment system uses automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) to detect when a driver enters and exits a Hozah-enabled car park. Once a driver completes a one-time sign-up with their number plate and payment details, they never need to touch a machine, download an app, or pre-pay again. Instead, Hozah automatically charges for the exact length of stay — no guesswork, no fines, no hassle.

Here’s how it works:

• Visit www2.hozah.com and register your vehicle and payment details (one-time only).
• Drive into a Hozah-enabled car park — no need to get a ticket or open an app.
• Leave when you’re ready — Hozah will automatically charge you for the exact time parked.
• Get notified by email once your payment is processed.

By removing the common triggers for PCNs — such as not seeing a machine, overpaying or underpaying, or struggling with outdated payment systems — Hozah helps stop fines before they’re even issued. Parking becomes effortless, transparent and fair.

For drivers, this means peace of mind. No more worrying about rushing back to the car, downloading multiple apps, or misreading confusing terms. With Hozah, your car becomes your payment card — making parking one less thing to stress about.

In an industry too often built around punishment, Hozah is setting a new standard: a parking system designed to work for drivers, not against them.