The number of parking fines issued to Northern Ireland drivers in three years

The festive season is here and drivers in Northern Ireland are being warned of parking ticket risks during the month of December.

It comes as new data reveals the number of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued to NI drivers for parking offences since 2022.

New data obtained through a new Freedom of Information request by Confused.com found that 14,511 have been issued in NI over the past two years.

READ MORE: NI mum who lost teenage son in crash backs campaign to reduce road deaths

READ MORE: Christmas warning over high rates of drink driving among male NI drivers

The price comparison website asked all UK councils for figures on the number of parking fines distributed in the years 2022 up until October 2024. Confused.com also asked for the number of drivers who appealed their fine.

In Northern Ireland only three local authorities responded to the request - Belfast City Council, Armagh, Banbridge, and Craigavon Borough Council and Mid Ulster.

Across the UK, parking fines are on the rise, with over 16 million PCNs issued to UK drivers since 2022. That adds up to one in eight drivers, on average, receiving a PCN in 2023 alone, revealed by the new data from Confused.com.

And with the festive season upon us, the data also found that 16% of all tickets issued were done so in November and December. These are peak times of year for shopping and spending time out with family and friends.

Meanwhile over 2.5 million of parking fines issued since 2022 were appealed, with one in three (34%) of these successful. And a survey of 2,000 UK drivers found that a third (30%) of those who have appealed a parking ticket did so because they found the parking sign unclear.

The number of parking PCNs has increased year on year. Between 2022 and 2023, there’s been a 5% increase in fines, from 5.5m to almost 5.8m. And it seems that many drivers feel that the fines are unfair, with many appealing them for different reasons.

In total, drivers appealed 2.5 million parking PCNs between 2022 and 2024 to date. In 2022, 928,550 appeals were made, with more than a third (37%) being successful. Similarly, in 2023, 852,474 appeals were made, of which just over a third (34%) were successful.

When it comes to paying a ticket, the rules and costs can vary. And the average amount spent on most recent parking fines was £47, on average, with 14% paying over £60. But drivers think a much more reasonable amount to pay for a PCN is £33, on average.

Often, drivers can pay a lower amount if they do so soon after they receive the ticket. In line with this, one in four (73%) paid within the first 14 days so they could get a 50% rate. But another 29% appealed the penalty.

Of those who appealed, a third (33%) said they were only late to their car by a couple of minutes. They felt the fine was too high for that. Nearly one in three (30%) of those who appealed their parking PCN cited unclear parking signs as the reason.

Rhydian Jones, car insurance expert at Confused.com, said: “Just like many of our motoring bills, the cost of penalty charge notices (PCNs) is an extra strain on the pockets of drivers. Our research found that three in five (63%) drivers think parking signs should be made clearer to avoid confusion. That’s as nearly one in three (30%) who have appealed a parking ticket said it was because they felt the sign was unclear.

“If you’re unsure whether you can park in a space or not, don’t take the risk. You should consider parking elsewhere to avoid the risk of getting a fine, even if it’s only for a few minutes. And if you do receive a PCN fine, you might be able to challenge the decision if you think it was unfair. The process may vary depending on your local authority, so it's important to check this before doing so.

“But before you next park at a confusing parking sign, consider using our parking signs translator if you’re unsure of the rules. All you need to do is upload an image of the parking sign and our generator will tell you the simple rules for that space. It’s a simple yet effective way to have a clearer understanding of the rules to avoid confusion.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Story Saved

You can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.