Private car park operators cashing in every two seconds 

• Private parking companies are requesting vehicle ownership data, which assists them in issuing parking tickets every two seconds
• Private parking companies made a record 7.8 million requests to the DVLA for vehicle keeper records in the first six months of 2024/25 financial year 
• 2024/25 is on track to beat the record 12.7 million requests made in 2023/24 financial year 
• Requests have surged 85 per cent in five years while the number of companies requesting data rose by 45 per cent in the same period

Private companies issuing parking tickets made a record 7,837,712 requests to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to obtain vehicle keeper records in the first six months of the 2024/25 financial year. Averaging over 43,000 requests per day, or almost one every two seconds reveals new research1 by Churchill motor insurance. 2024/25 is on track to see the highest number in the last seven years.

Between 2018/19 and 2023/24 (the most recent full year of data available), the number of requests to the DVLA from private parking companies surged by 85 per cent. Over the same period, the number of these companies accessing this information increased by 45 per cent, rising from 133 to 193 firms. 

Table 1: The number of parking management companies requesting vehicle ownership data in 2023/24

*Covid-19 pandemic

Source: Churchill motor insurance 2025

Private landowners such as supermarkets, fast food restaurants and shopping centres often sub-contract their parking facilities to private parking companies who can charge for parking on these properties. Parking Charge Notices issued by private parking management firms will vary in cost depending on the operator and the nature of the alleged infringement, but charges can be up to £100 per ticket.

Five private parking companies account for almost half of the vehicle keeper requests issued, with Parking Eye, Euro Car Parks and Horizon taking the top spots. The DVLA charges £2.50 per request, and it is estimated it generated nearly £32 million in revenue from parking management companies in 2023/24 alone.

Table 2: Top 10 parking management companies requesting vehicle ownership data in 2023/24: 

Source: Churchill Insurance 2025

Unlike Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued by local councils, which are regulated under statutory law, private parking firms operate under a code of practice set by two accredited trade associations representing private car parking firms: the British Parking Association (BPA) and International Parking Community (IPC). Members must follow this code to access the DVLA database for vehicle keeper details, which is essential for enforcing parking charge notices. Private car park operators recently introduced a 10-minute "grace period" before imposing a charge for overstaying and promised to introduce a fairer appeal process.

Nicholas Mantel, Head of Churchill Motor Insurance, commented: “Anyone using a private parking space needs to follow the rules of the specific car park, which should be clearly displayed, or they could risk a parking ticket. Rules often differ by location, so we would encourage all drivers to check carefully for the terms and conditions of use, to avoid being issued with a potentially expensive parking ticket. 

“If you've received a ticket and believe there are mitigating circumstances or that it was issued in error, it's crucial to gather evidence to help increase your chances of a successful appeal."

- ENDS - 

Notes to Editors

1. Freedom of Information request to the DVLA January 2025. KANDOE volumes issued by the DVLA in the financial years 2018/19 – 2024/25. 

For further information please contact:  

Unni Henry 

Churchill PR Manager 

Email: unni.henry@directlinegroup.co.uk  

Churchill 

Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home, travel and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line. 

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