Cash remains the most popular option for paying for parking but cashless options are fast-rising in popularity.

Younger drivers prefer cashless options

Two-fifths (40%) of drivers say that paying for parking with cash is their number one option according to a poll by the AA. Older and low-income drivers in particular want to pay by cash and some say they drive on until they can do so.

But the survey of more than 13,500 drivers found younger drivers prefer cashless options. Just one in 10 (12%) of those aged 18-24 would pick coins and notes as their preferred payment choice. More than a third (37%) of young drivers are keen on paying for parking with contactless payment with a card or through mobile payment (e.g. Apple Pay), whereas 35% would choose payment by app.

A number of councils have already converted some or all of their car parks to cashless sites, and more local authorities are looking into the option in an effort to save administrative costs such as collecting the coins and maintaining payment machines.

But although there has been a wider societal shift in cashless provision, the previous government wrote to councils asking them to ensure that parking remained accessible to all and that cash acceptance remained in place.

And some AA members were forthright in their support for cash, with one saying that they “Only go to car parks that take cash”.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “With the high street already under strain, it seems counterintuitive for car parks to refuse a customer willing to pay.

“Allowing parking to be paid by a multitude of options seems the best solution for both car parks and drivers, but those opting to pay by app should take note that doing so could be more expensive as administration costs are added to the rates.”

How drivers would prefer to pay to park (all respondents)

1. Cash – 40%
2. Contactless – 28%
3. Pay via app – 14%
4. Chip & Pin – 12%
5. Pay by phone – 2%
6. QR code – 1%
7. Other – 1%

Top payment choice for parking by age

18-24 year olds – Contactless (37%)

25-34 year olds – Contactless (43%)

35-44 year olds – Contactless (38%)

45-54 year olds – Cash (32%)

55-64 year olds – Cash (40%)

+65 year olds – Cash (46%)