A staggering 73% of UK drivers who have used a mobile app to pay for parking in the past year ran into problems, according to fresh RAC research.* Drivers say they prefer trusty bank cards or cold, hard cash over glitchy apps.
Top Parking App Headaches Revealed
- No mobile signal: A massive 70% blamed dead zones inside car parks for payment woes.
- Wrong location: 36% found the app failed to recognise their car park.
- App crashes: 35% faced sudden app shutdowns mid-payment.
- Other glitches: 30% experienced assorted technical trouble.
- Card rejected: 24% said their bank card wasn’t accepted by the app.
- Confused users: 13% struggled to figure out how to use the app, a figure that doubles for drivers aged 75+
Classic Payments Still King
When it comes to paying for parking, nearly half (46%) pick bank cards or services like Apple Pay and Google Pay for reliability and ease. Cash still holds strong with 33%, while just 30% prefer using mobile apps. Only 6% opt to scan QR codes to pay, a method warned by RAC as vulnerable to “quishing” scams.**
Too Many Apps, Too Much Hassle
Many drivers are juggling several parking apps. Around 64% have at least two installed, 36% use three, and 15% carry four or more. This app overload adds to the headache of registering separate accounts, entering vehicle details, and storing card info multiple times – a security risk for users.
Hope on the Horizon – The National Parking Platform
The Government’s new National Parking Platform aims to fix this mess, letting drivers pay via a single phone app across many councils and parking firms. Already active in places like Manchester, Liverpool, and Coventry, more local authorities 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 Cash Cow for Councils and Firms
Parking is big business. Councils in England raked in a £1.2bn surplus from parking charges in 2024-25. Private operators issued a record 14.4 million parking tickets last year alone. So, it’s clear why they want you using apps – but drivers clearly aren’t impressed.
RAC’s Top Tips to Avoid a Parking Disaster
- Stay updated: Always install the latest version of parking apps to avoid malfunctions.
- Carry alternatives: Keep a bank card or cash handy in case the app fails.
- Gather evidence: If paying by app is your only option, snap screenshots of errors and save receipts. It can help fight unfair parking fines.
