The number of parking tickets issued by private parking firms in the UK shot up by nearly a quarter (24%) in 2019/20, with a new ticket being issued every four seconds.

A new code of practice for the private parking industry is currently under way and will go out for public consultation before being presented to Parliament

RAC Foundation analysis of data on keeper addresses released by the DVLA to parking firms suggests 8.4 million tickets were issued in the last financial year; up from 6.8 million in 2018/19. And the figures for 2018/19 were already up 20% on the previous year.

While the DVLA charges private firms £2.50 per record, each resultant ticket can cost drivers up to £100.

However, there could be light at the end of the tunnel for drivers; Sir Greg Knight MP’s Parking (Code of Practice) Bill officially became law in March 2019 with the aim of bringing rogue parking firms into line or putting them out of business.

It allows for a government-sanctioned code of practice to replace the current self-regulatory standards that are drawn up by the industry itself.

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “The hard graft of creating a new code of practice for the industry is currently under way. This will go out for public consultation before being presented to Parliament.

“But the code is just one part of the new framework that needs to be put in place, including a single appeals body and independent scrutiny of the private parking trade associations and their members.”

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government added: “We are committed to cracking down on the minority of rogue parking operators who exploit motorists.

“That’s why we are working with the British Standards Institution on a Code of Practice for the industry that is fair to both drivers and operators. We expect to consult on this new Code later this year.”