Parking Apps Are Driving UK Motorists Mad – 73% Hit Glitches!
Parking Apps Let Down Drivers Big Time
A whopping 73% of UK drivers using mobile apps to pay for parking have hit major problems, fresh RAC research reveals. Instead of tapping phones, many motorists now opt for trusty cash or bank cards to avoid tech nightmares.
- No Signal, No Pay: A staggering 70% blamed poor mobile coverage inside car parks for payment failures.
- Lost in Location: 36% had apps that failed to recognise their parking spot.
- App Crashes: 35% saw payments crash mid-transaction, causing fury.
- Other Bugs: 30% faced all sorts of technical hiccups.
- Card Rejected: 24% reported their bank cards weren’t accepted by the app.
- Confused Older Drivers: 13% struggled to use the apps properly – this figure doubles in those 75 and over.
Old School Payment Methods Still Rule the Roost
Nearly half (46%) of drivers stick with reliable bank cards or digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. Meanwhile, 33% still prefer cold, hard cash. Shockingly, only 30% put their faith in mobile apps. Just 6% use QR codes to pay – a method RAC warns could be vulnerable to “quishing” scams.
App Overload Sparks Security Concerns
UK drivers are drowning in parking apps. Around 64% juggle two apps, 36% use three, and 15% wrestle with four or more. This leads to endless registrations, repeated car and payment details, and increased security risks.
One App to Rule Them All? Government’s National Parking Platform Offers Hope
The Government’s new National Parking Platform could be a game-changer, letting drivers pay with one app across various councils and parking firms. Already running in places like London, Liverpool, and Coventry, more areas are expected to join soon.
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “The best parking apps make life easier, but many drivers still face signal black spots, card issues, and crashes. Navigating multiple apps is frustrating and risky. The National Parking Platform should end the need for several different apps, simplifying parking payment nationwide.
“Drivers should keep apps updated and carry backup payment methods. For older smartphones, beware some apps stop supporting your device. If you run into trouble, take screenshots to prove you tried to pay.
“We believe all parking operators must offer at least two payment options – no one should be forced into using an app.”
Parking: Big Bucks for Councils and Firms
Parking is a cash cow. Councils in England hauled in a £1.2bn surplus from parking charges in 2024-25. Private operators slapped a record 14.4 million parking tickets last year alone. No wonder they push for app use – but drivers aren’t impressed.
RAC’s Top Tips to Dodge Parking Payment Chaos
- Keep Apps Updated: Always install the latest versions to avoid glitches.
- Carry Backup: Have a bank card or cash ready if apps fail.
- Collect Proof: Snap screenshots of app errors and keep payment receipts to fight unfair fines.
