Why were 17 million parking tickets handed out across the UK last year?

The latest figures are up from 6.8 million in 2018/1913:52, 19 Aug 2026This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreUK drivers were hit by a 17% annual spike in the number of parking tickets issued by private companies last year, new figures show.A record 16.9 million parking tickets were handed out by private businesses in the year to the end of March 2026, according to analysis of Government data by the Press Association (PA) and motoring research charity the RAC Foundation. That is up from 14.4 million a year earlier, and 6.8 million in 2018/19.This report comes as the delay in the introduction of a legislation-backed code of conduct for the sector reaches seven years.Click here to get the biggest stories straight to you