More than 17 million parking fines expected this year
More than 17 million parking fines are expected to be issued this year, according to analysis by the RAC.
Private companies have issued over 13 million parking tickets in the last nine months, averaging 4.3 million a quarter.
If that rate continues the current record number of annual private parking tickets of 14.4 million will be exceeded by about three million.
The RAC research also found that many drivers don’t understand the difference between public charge notices and private charge notices, both of which are referred to as PCNs. Public charge notices are issued by councils and backed by law, while private charge notices are issued by private parking companies for a breach of contract.
Confusion
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “Drivers are clearly confused by the PCN acronym which is concerning as they are very different in terms of consequences. A PCN sent by the council is a fine and must be paid, whereas a Parking Charge Notice, issued by a private car park operator, is an invoice for alleged breach of contract.
“The fact both can be put on drivers’ windscreens in identical bright yellow colour doesn’t help either. We suspect they’re deliberately designed to look very similar to a council penalty charge notice.
“While the two private parking trade associations have set their industry PCNs at £100, they are regularly discounted by at least 40% for payment within 14 days. Fines issued by councils vary but are generally lower outside London and are all discounted by 50% for early payment.
“As there’s so much confusion between the two PCN acronyms, drivers are very supportive of changing the name of private Parking Charge Notices to clear this up and help others understand the important legal difference.”
