Two fifths (40%*) of drivers say that paying for parking with
cash is their number one option according to a poll by The AA.
For low income drivers, more than half say that cash is how they
would prefer to pay to park.
However, the survey of more than 13,500 drivers found that just
one in 10 (12%) for those aged 18-24 would pick coins and notes
as their preferred payment choice. More than a third (37%) of
young drivers are keen on paying for parking with contactless
payment with a card of through their mobile payment (e.g. Apple
Pay), whereas 35% would choose payment by app.
How drivers would prefer to pay to park (All
respondents)
1. Cash – 40%
2. Contactless – 28%
3. Pay via App – 14%
4. Chip & Pin – 12%
5. Pay by phone – 2%
6. QR code – 1%
7. Other – 1%
Top payment choice for parking by age
18-24 year olds – Contactless (37%)
25-34 year olds – Contactless (43%)
35-44 year olds – Contactless (38%)
45-54 year olds – Cash (32%)
55-64 year olds – Cash (40%)
+65 year olds – Cash (46%)
‘Take my money or I'll drive on' warn drivers
While a number of councils have converted some or all of their
car parks to cashless sites, more local authorities are looking
into the option in an effort to save administrative costs such as
collecting the coins and maintaining payment machines.
Nevertheless, some AA members were forthright in their support
for cash, with one saying that they “Only go to car parks
that take cash”.
With another saying “If they don't take cash, I will leave
and find somewhere else to park.”
A third added that they “Would not park if cash was not
accepted”.
One member told us that if they can't pay by cash “I leave a
note in the windscreen complaining about this, and give my
contact details so I can pay later.”
Another notable contribution was the desire to find free parking
wherever they heading. A member declared they “Go anywhere
where there is free parking, and give the area around the car
park my custom”.
One member said “I never pay for parking: If I have to pay, I
don't park”.
While there has been a wider societal shift in cashless
provision, the previous government wrote to councils asking them
the ensure that parking remained accessible to all and that cash
acceptance remained in place**.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, said; “Parking the
car should be a simple and hassle free experience, but some
drivers are becoming more frustrated as taking cash has become
less common.
“During the pandemic, many councils moved to cashless solutions
to reduce transmission while still encouraging people to use
facilities when allowed. However, lots of local authorities have
not returned to cash as the reduced administrative costs proved
beneficial to their coffers, and are now going further than some
drivers are willing to accept.
“While it is clear that younger drivers prefer contactless
payment options, older and low income drivers want to pay by
cash. In fact, some claim they drive on until they can do so.
With the High Street already under strain, it seems
counterintuitive for car parks to refuse a customer willing to
pay.
“Allowing parking to be paid by a multitude of options seems the
best solution for both car parks and drivers, but those opting to
pay by app should take note that doing so could be more expensive
as administration costs are added to the rates.”
ends
NOTES TO EDITORS
* Yonder received 13,775 responses from AA members to
its online poll between the 11th to the
19th February 2025. Yonder is a
member of
the British Polling Council and
abides by its rules.
** SoS_letter_to_LAs_on_Public_Parking.pdf
