Parking apps leave UK drivers fed up, with nearly half reporting unfair fines
- Perry Richardson
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
New research from Uswitch reveals that UK drivers are losing patience with parking apps, as nearly half say they’ve been unfairly fined while using them. Despite being marketed as a more efficient way to pay and park, many drivers report a string of technical issues, confusing interfaces and a lack of transparency around fees.
According to the data, 47% of drivers claim they’ve received fines in error or by accident when using parking apps. A quarter of respondents say it has happened more than once. A further 6% admitted to receiving fines but believe the penalties were justified.
Managing multiple apps for different locations has become a common complaint. Over a third of drivers said they’ve struggled with downloading and registering for several apps just to park. Almost three in ten have faced crashes or poor signal, and over a quarter found the apps clunky and difficult to navigate.
Hidden fees, forgotten app names, unclear location codes and delayed or failed payments were among the most frequently reported frustrations. Only 13% of drivers say they are happy using parking apps without issue.
The top reason drivers still use these apps is because car parks require them. Nearly a third of users said they only use parking apps because they have to. Another 29% said their main reason was to avoid fines. Only a small number use them for convenience or to find better pricing.
To address the problems, the British Parking Association is leading the development of the National Parking Platform. The scheme will allow drivers to pay across different car parks using their preferred app, ending the need to download multiple ones. Major firms like RingGo, JustPark and PayByPhone are supporting the project.
While the platform is still rolling out, most drivers see the potential. Over half believe it will help solve at least some of the issues they face. One in five think it could fix most of them. However, a minority remain sceptical, with 9% expecting little change and 3% fearing it might make things worse.
When asked what features they want most from a national solution, half of all drivers said they want upfront pricing without hidden charges. Other key asks include alerts before time runs out, clear local rules, real-time space availability, and one-tap payment with the option to extend time remotely.
Felicity Ferguson, temporary car insurance expert at Uswitch, shared her top tips for making the most of parking apps to save time and money:
“Check your location code: Before you hit ‘pay’, double-check your location code or bay number. It might seem small, but entering the wrong spot is one of the easiest ways to get a fine.
“Set reminders: Don’t let your parking time sneak up on you. Most apps let you set alerts before your time runs out, and some even let you extend remotely from your phone - perfect for when you’re caught up and can’t get back to your car right away.
“Prepare in advance: If you are heading somewhere new, download the relevant parking apps ahead of time. This saves you from last-minute scrambles to register or find the right app, especially useful during busy travel seasons or events when demand is high.
“Compare prices between apps: Don’t just settle for the first app you find. Some apps offer better rates or lower admin fees for the same car park.
“Save your details: Keep your payment info up to date in the app to make checkouts quick and hassle-free.
“Read reviews and update your apps: Apps update all the time. Checking user reviews regularly can help you avoid buggy versions and find hidden features that make parking even easier”.
