The CMA is cracking down on private parking charges: Here's what it means for you

If you’ve ever received a private parking charge that felt unfair? Whether it’s unclear signs, a faulty payment machine or an app that wouldn’t work, many drivers have found themselves facing parking charges despite trying to do the right thing.

Now, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is stepping in with a package of measures designed to make the private parking industry fairer and more transparent. The regulator says the changes should make it easier for you to challenge parking charges and help prevent unfair practices in the first place.

Why is the CMA taking action?

Private parking charges have risen sharply in recent years. Around 14.4 million parking tickets were issued by private operators during 2024/25, more than double the number issued just six years earlier. These tickets typically relate to privately owned car parks, including those at supermarkets, retail parks, restaurants, gyms and hospitals.

Alongside this increase, the CMA says it’s seen growing numbers of complaints from drivers. Common issues include:

Confusing or poorly positioned signage.
Broken payment machines.
Parking apps that fail or malfunction.
Difficulty appealing a parking charge.
Additional fees being added on top of the original charge.

What is changing?

The CMA has announced several measures aimed at improving standards across the private parking sector.

The CMA is investigating Euro Car Parks

The regulator has opened a formal investigation into Euro Car Parks to determine whether its business practices and appeals process comply with consumer protection law.

An investigation doesn’t mean the company has broken the law, but it does mean the CMA believes there are sufficient concerns to investigate further.

Parking operators have been warned

The CMA has also written to private parking companies across the sector, raising concerns about the way some operators handle appeals and recover additional charges.

The regulator expects businesses to review their practices and ensure they comply with consumer protection laws.

The government has been urged to strengthen the rules

Alongside action against operators, the CMA has recommended further improvements to government regulation to raise standards across the industry.

This builds on the government’s ongoing work to introduce a strengthened Private Parking Code of Practice, designed to create clearer rules for operators and better protection for drivers.

What does this mean if you receive a private parking charge?

The announcement doesn’t automatically cancel existing parking charges or change the law overnight. However, it signals that regulators are taking concerns about unfair parking practices seriously.

If you receive a private parking charge, you should:

Read the notice carefully.
Check whether the signs in the car park were clear and easy to understand.
Keep evidence such as photographs, receipts or screenshots if a payment machine or parking app wasn’t working.
Follow the operator’s appeals process if you believe the charge is unfair.

If your appeal is rejected, you may still be able to take your case to an independent appeals service, depending on which parking trade association the operator belongs to.

What’s the difference between a private parking charge and a council parking ticket?

It’s important to know that the CMA’s action only relates to private parking operators.

A private parking charge is usually issued after parking on privately owned land, such as:

Supermarket car parks.
Retail parks.
Private residential developments.
Hospital or hotel car parks.

Council-issued Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) are governed by different legislation and have separate appeal processes.

What should you do if you think your parking charge is unfair?

If you believe you’ve received an unfair private parking charge, don’t ignore it. Instead:

Read the notice carefully and check the details.
Gather any evidence that supports your case.
Submit an appeal within the deadline.
Escalate your appeal if you’re entitled to independent review.

The CMA’s latest intervention suggests that drivers’ concerns are being taken increasingly seriously. While the regulator’s work won’t resolve every dispute immediately, it could lead to fairer treatment, clearer appeals processes and greater accountability across the private parking industry in the future.

Need help challenging a private parking charge?

If you’ve received a private parking charge and you’re not sure whether it’s fair, it’s worth understanding your rights before you decide what to do next.

Resolver’s Private Parking Tickets Rights Guide explains when you may be able to challenge a charge, what evidence you should gather and how the appeals process works.

If you’re ready to take action, you can also raise your case with Resolver. Resolver helps you manage your complaint, keep track of your correspondence and escalate your case if you don’t receive a satisfactory response.