The councils most likely to issue parking fines

During 2013 councils across the UK issued 7.8 million parking fines. Who raised the most and how can you cut the cost of your fine?

A Freedom of Information request lodged by Churchill Car Insurance has revealed that local authorities issued a whopping 7.8 million parking Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) in 2013. That’s the equivalent of one parking fine being sent out every four seconds.  

Westminster Council issued the highest number of PCNs – the equivalent of over four per resident – worth an incredible £24 million. That's almost a tenth of the UK total. On average, councils handed out PCNs in 23,068 instances each.

The total value of the fines

Overall, the total value of these fines was around £255 million. The actual amount collected (thus far) might be lower due to unpaid fines or early settlements. However, this number only represents the fines from the 187 local councils who responded to the Freedom of Information request - less than half of the total 468 local councils in the UK.

Fines vary by location, though many carry a cost of around £120, or £60 if paid within 14 days.

Councils in London displayed a tendency to hand out far more PCNs than elsewhere in the country, with the top 13 locations for PCNs being London boroughs. Once you get out of London, Cardiff was the next area most likely to see fines dished out, with 56,766 fines distributed in 2013, while North Somerset generated the most revenue at £2,250,130.

Compare car insurance with lovemoney.com

Responding councils that issued the highest number of PCNs in 2013

Responding councils that issued the highest number of PCNs in 2013 outside of London

Highest parking revenues amongst responding councils outside of London in 2013

Highest number of PCNs issued per head of the population in 2013

Source for all tables: Churchill Car Insurance

How can I avoid a parking fine?

The simplest answer of course is to abide by parking rules as set out by road markings and signage.

But there are also a few tricks that drivers admitted to in a survey from a couple of years ago. Though some people did admit to knowingly parking illegally and still appealing, there are some situations in which an appeal is fair enough. In fact, according to that survey, in roughly half of successful appeals the council or private operator didn't even bother to submit a defence. So if it wasn’t apparent that you were parked where you shouldn’t have, you’ve got a decent chance of getting out of having to pay the fine.

Paying your fine quickly (normally within 14 days) can also reduce the amount you pay.

Good news may be on the way for motorists struggling to find spots to leave their vehicle, as the Government is planning to clamp down on councils using parking fines as an easy money generator. Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: "The law is clear. Councils should not use parking as a tax or cash cow, and we are currently looking into the potentially illegal use of councils' parking contracts.

"Councils should open their books so that any interested members of the public can scrutinise local parking practice and expose any dodgy deals.”

Compare car insurance with lovemoney.com

More on cars and car insurance at lovemoney.com

How to beat parking fines

Car finance options

The daftest reasons cars fail their first MOT

Sharp rise in roads in 'terrible' condition

25 ways to cut your car insurance