Private parking firms make requests for car owner data from DVLA every two seconds

By JANE DENTON

Updated: 10:03 EST, 6 March 2025

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Private parking firms now request access to vehicle ownership data to help them issue charges every two seconds, new data shows. 

This equates to approximately 43,000 requests for vehicle ownership information by private parking companies every day. 

In total, private parking firms across Britain made a record 7.7million requests to the DVLA for vehicle keeper records in the first six months of the 2024/25 financial year. 

DVLA sells ownership data to private parking firms for £2.50 a pop, allowing them to chase drivers who they deem have breached conditions on private land.

While a fee is charged for requesting vehicle keeper details, this is set to recover the cost of providing the information, a DVLA spokesperson told This is Money. 

This is Money has previously campaigned for this practice to be made more transparent, as drivers cannot opt out of their details being sold this way. 

By the end of the fiscal year, private parking firm requests for vehicle ownership data are expected to surpass the 12.7million recorded the previous year. 

Data extraction: Private parking businesses are requesting access to vehicle ownership data to help them issue tickets every two seconds, data shows (stock image)

According to Churchill Motor Insurance, which analysed DVLA data via a freedom of information request, requests for vehicle data by parking firms rose by 85 per cent in five years, while the number of companies requesting the data grew by 45 per cent in the same period. 

The number of private parking firms accessing the DVLA data of motor owners increased by 45 per cent in the last five years, rising from 133 to 193 companies, the findings suggest. 

Five private parking companies accounted for almost half of the vehicle keeper requests issued, with Parking Eye, Euro Car Parks and Horizon taking the top spots in the 2023/24 financial year. 

The DVLA is estimated to generate nearly £32million in revenue from parking management companies in 2023/24 by selling details. 

Nicholas Mantel, head of Churchill Motor Insurance, said: '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.'  

Private landowners like supermarkets, fast food restaurants and shopping centres often sub-contract their parking operations to private parking firms who can charge for parking on these properties. 

Parking Charge Notices issued by private parking management firms vary in cost depending on the operator and the nature of the alleged infringement, but charges can be up to £100 per ticket - and are typically cut in half in paid within a certain time frame.

Unlike Penalty Charge Notices issued by local councils, which are regulated under statutory law, private parking companies operate under a code of practice set by two accredited trade associations, namely the British Parking Association and International Parking Community.

Private car park operators recently introduced a 10-minute 'grace period' before imposing a charge for overstaying and recently promised to introduce a fairer appeal process. 

It is important to note, however that the grace period does not apply in all circumstances. For example, it does not apply in short-stay hubs where parking is available for up to one hour. 

Previously, it was down to the parking firm's discretion whether motorists would receive penalties for being a few minutes late back. 

There is an independent online appeals process for drivers who want to challenge a charge from a private parking firm.

Called Parking on Private Land Appeals (POPLA), back in 2021 it revealed half of appeals are successful. 

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