Published research findings

Nearly 9 in 10 licence holders surveyed felt pressured to decide quickly over a private parking charge

ParkingPack Private Parking Pressure Survey 2026

Sample size: 92 UK driving licence holders
Fieldwork: 15 July 2026
Method: Online survey via Prolific

Executive summary

ParkingPack commissioned independent research among UK driving licence holders to examine attitudes towards private parking charges, reduced-payment deadlines and appeals against private parking operators. The survey used hypothetical scenarios and measured self-reported confidence and perceived barriers rather than verified enforcement outcomes.

The findings indicate substantial pressure associated with reduced-payment deadlines, widespread uncertainty about evidence and appeal fairness, and significant hesitation about responding to ParkingEye charges without first seeking information or assistance.

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Key findings

89.1% of UK driving licence holders surveyed said a reduced-payment deadline would pressure them to make a quick decision before checking whether the charge was correct.How much pressure respondents said they would feel to decide quickly in a hypothetical reduced-payment scenario.

66.3% would not feel confident knowing what evidence could support a private parking appeal before seeking help.Self-reported confidence about evidence before looking online or asking for help.

83.7% lacked confidence that a private parking company would consider an appeal against its own charge fairly and impartially.Confidence that a company-run appeal would be considered fairly and impartially.

63% would not feel confident knowing what to check before paying or appealing a ParkingEye charge, without first searching for information or seeking help.Confidence about what to check before deciding whether to pay or appeal a hypothetical ParkingEye charge.

65.2% said believing the parking company would probably reject the appeal might discourage them from challenging a charge they believed was unfair.Which factors respondents said might discourage them from appealing a charge they believed was unfair (select all that apply).

Q1. Pressure to decide quickly

Imagine receiving a £100 private parking charge that is reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days. How much pressure, if any, would this reduced-payment deadline put on you to make a quick decision, even if you had not yet checked whether the charge was correct?

Principal reporting metric: 82 of 92 respondents (89.1%).

Response	Count	Percentage
A great deal of pressure	27	29.3%
A fair amount of pressure	55	59.8%
Not very much pressure	8	8.7%
No pressure at all	2	2.2%
Not sure	0	0%

Interpretation: How much pressure respondents said they would feel to decide quickly in a hypothetical reduced-payment scenario.

Limitation: Does not show respondents were actually charged, paid under deadline pressure, or had personally experienced this.

Q2. Knowing what evidence to use

Before looking online or asking anyone for help, how confident would you feel knowing what evidence might support an appeal against a private parking charge?

Principal reporting metric: 61 of 92 respondents (66.3%).

Response	Count	Percentage
Very confident	5	5.4%
Fairly confident	26	28.3%
Not very confident	46	50%
Not at all confident	15	16.3%
Not sure	0	0%

Interpretation: Self-reported confidence about evidence before looking online or asking for help.

Limitation: Does not prove respondents would definitely not know what evidence to use in practice.

Q3. Confidence in the appeal process

How confident, if at all, would you be that a private parking company would consider an appeal against its own charge fairly and impartially?

Principal reporting metric: 77 of 92 respondents (83.7%).

Response	Count	Percentage
Very confident	4	4.3%
Fairly confident	10	10.9%
Not very confident	29	31.5%
Not at all confident	48	52.2%
Not sure	1	1.1%

Interpretation: Confidence that a company-run appeal would be considered fairly and impartially.

Limitation: Does not show appeals are unfair in fact or measure actual appeal outcomes.

Q4. ParkingEye-specific knowledge

Imagine receiving a £100 parking charge from ParkingEye, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days. Before searching online, contacting ParkingEye or asking anyone for help, how confident would you feel knowing what to check before deciding whether to pay or appeal?

Principal reporting metric: 58 of 92 respondents (63%).

Response	Count	Percentage
Very confident	5	5.4%
Fairly confident	27	29.3%
Not very confident	40	43.5%
Not at all confident	18	19.6%
Not sure	2	2.2%

Interpretation: Confidence about what to check before deciding whether to pay or appeal a hypothetical ParkingEye charge.

Limitation: Does not measure ParkingEye's conduct, appeal outcomes, or actual customer experience.

Q5. Barriers to appealing

Which, if any, of the following might discourage you from appealing a private parking charge that you believed was unfair?

Select all that apply.

Principal reporting metric: 60 of 92 respondents (65.2%).

Fear that the amount could increase

48 (52.2%)

Concern about losing the reduced-payment amount

53 (57.6%)

Not knowing whether I had valid appeal grounds

48 (52.2%)

Not knowing what evidence to provide

38 (41.3%)

Believing the parking company would probably reject the appeal

60 (65.2%)

Finding the appeals process confusing

32 (34.8%)

Not having enough time to prepare an appeal

28 (30.4%)

Nothing would discourage me from appealing

9 (9.8%)

Not sure

0 (0%)

Response	Count	Percentage
Fear that the amount could increase	48	52.2%
Concern about losing the reduced-payment amount	53	57.6%
Not knowing whether I had valid appeal grounds	48	52.2%
Not knowing what evidence to provide	38	41.3%
Believing the parking company would probably reject the appeal	60	65.2%
Finding the appeals process confusing	32	34.8%
Not having enough time to prepare an appeal	28	30.4%
Nothing would discourage me from appealing	9	9.8%
Not sure	0	0%

Interpretation: Which factors respondents said might discourage them from appealing a charge they believed was unfair (select all that apply).

Limitation: Does not show actual rejection rates or prove companies reject appeals.

Methodology

ParkingPack surveyed 92 UK adults who reported holding a driving licence through the Prolific research platform in 15 July 2026. Participants completed a five-question online survey and were paid for their participation. The survey was commissioned by ParkingPack. The sample was unweighted and was not designed to be nationally representative of all UK drivers.

All results refer to UK driving licence holders surveyed through Prolific. Participants responded to hypothetical scenarios and reported their own anticipated attitudes and confidence levels.

About ParkingPack

ParkingPack is a UK service that helps drivers check private parking charges and prepare an appeal. This research was commissioned to inform public reporting on consumer attitudes towards private parking charges and appeals.