You Can’t Park There!
- 8.3 million drivers admit to parking in places they shouldn’t have over the past year
- Motorists face £75 million in fines as a result
- Most popular justifications for parking illegally include struggling to find a space, only being there for a short time and being in a rush
- Almost half (47 per cent) find parking restrictions signs confusing and hard to understand
- One in six say they often forget parking rules
Almost 8.3 million (23 per cent) UK drivers1 admit to having parked in places they shouldn’t have over the past year, according to Churchill motor insurance2. With the average fine standing at £59, drivers have been issued with £75 million3 worth of fines for these parking violations.
The reasons for parking in restricted areas vary. Some motorists do so because it’s the only parking spot available (31 per cent), while others believe it doesn’t matter if they are just parking for a short amount of time (28 per cent), a quarter are simply in a rush (25 per cent). These reasons would not hold up against an appeal.
Table one: Reasons quoted for parking where we are not allowed
Reason why drivers park where they aren’t allowed |
Percentage |
It was the only available space to park |
31 per cent |
It was only for a short amount of time, so I didn’t think it mattered |
28 per cent |
I was in a rush |
25 per cent |
My passenger had trouble walking and so I wanted to park as close as possible |
19 per cent |
It was the closest spot to where I had to go / it was most convenient |
17 per cent |
I didn’t realise I had parked in the wrong place |
16 per cent |
I have trouble walking and so I wanted to park as close as possible |
14 per cent |
There were plenty of other spaces available so didn’t think it would matter |
11 per cent |
I was willing to take the fine |
Seven per cent |
I think I should be able to park where I like |
Seven per cent |
Source: Churchill motor insurance 2025
The study found the most common parking violations were on single yellow lines during restricted hours (1.9 million drivers), and on double yellow lines (1.7 million drivers).
One in six (16 per cent) motorists received a fine the last time they parked in a restricted area, while one in ten (11 per cent) were let off with a warning from a parking attendant or police offer. Others faced more severe penalties, nine per cent had their cars clamped and a further nine per cent had their car towed.
Almost half (47 per cent) of drivers admit that they often find parking restriction signs confusing and hard to understand, with one in six (17 per cent) confessing that they often forget the rules around parking restrictions. Alarmingly, 11 per cent admit they are more likely to break parking rules in situations when they don’t agree with the rules.
Parking violations split driver opinion on whether they should result in points on driving licenses. Only 60 per cent believe that parking in a space allocated to emergency vehicles should result in points, and over half (52 per cent) agree violating school ‘keep clear’ markings should. Less than a quarter (22 per cent) feel that parking in a parent and child space deserves points – despite these restrictions being in place specifically to protect the safety of families and children.
Table two: Parking situations in which motorists think it’s fair to receive points on their licence
Parking situation |
Percentage who think it’s fair to receive points on license |
In an emergency vehicle parking space |
60 per cent |
On school ‘keep clear’ markings |
52 per cent |
In a disabled parking bay |
47 per cent |
In a bus lane when not permitted |
47 per cent |
On a double yellow line |
45 per cent |
On a red route or on a single red line |
38 per cent |
In a permit holder’s space |
32 per cent |
In a bike lane |
31 per cent |
In a loading bay/area when not permitted |
28 per cent |
In a restricted parking area (e.g. when parking was meant to be suspended) |
28 per cent |
On a single yellow line when not permitted |
23 per cent |
In a parent and child / baby space |
22 per cent |
Source: Churchill motor insurance 2025
Nicholas Mantel, Head of Churchill Motor Insurance, commented:
“Nobody likes receiving a parking ticket. With busy schedules and limited parking, restrictions can be frustrating. However, they are in place to enhance safety, improve traffic flow, and ensure accessibility for all road users and pedestrians. Respecting these rules is essential to avoiding costly fines.”
- ENDS -
For further information please contact:
Direct Line Group:
Unni Henry
PR Manager
Email: unni.henry@directlinegroup.co.uk
Notes to editors
1. 305 people surveyed parked in places they shouldn't have, equating to 15% of UK adults. 15 per cent * 54,196,443 (UK adult population) = 8,264,958.
2. Opinium survey with a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults. The data was collected between 18.02.2025 and 21.02.2025.
3. Calculated as follows: 2 per cent of Brits who have been fined for parking in the wrong place which is 1,273,616 multiplied by the average fine £58.90 = £75,016,007
Churchill
Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line.
Churchill general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Churchill and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.
Customers can find out more about Churchill products or get a quote by calling 0300 200 300 or visiting www.churchill.com.