Watch out for hidden car park fees

We all know that driving is expensive, but parking can cost a fair bit too, especially when town centre car parks aren’t transparent about what they charge.

At many council-run car parks, drivers are expected to pay via an app rather than a pay-and-display machine.

In theory, that makes sense.

You don’t have to queue at the machine and you can still pay even when the ticket machine isn’t working.

But too often, drivers are being charged more than the amount displayed on the car park sign, as people using these apps can be hit with additional service or convenience charges.

How much extra are people being charged?

A Guardian investigation has found that drivers who use parking apps are often being charged between 10p and 30p on top of the advertised parking charge.

So if, for example, the car park sign says it costs £1 to park for an hour, you could actually end up paying about £1.30.

That quickly adds up if you have to use that car park regularly.

And of the apps tested by the newspaper, none clearly told the user about the service fee until the payment stage.

Is this allowed?

Not being upfront with drivers about parking charges might seem a bit shady.

But it’s happening because of one little loophole.

If you pay by app, you’re entering into two separate contracts - one with the council and one with the app provider.

So the council isn’t legally required to display app fees on its signs.

How do I keep the cost of parking down?

Sometimes, it’s hard to avoid having to park in a certain place or pay the fees being charged.

But there are some practical steps you can take to avoid getting stung by hidden car park charges.

Compare parking options before setting off

Instead of automatically heading for the nearest car park, check council websites, parking apps and local parking directories to compare prices in advance. 

The cheaper car park might be a little bit further away, but it could be worth it if it’s significantly cheaper.

Look for time-limited free parking

You might not need to fork out for a car park space if you’re only going to be there for a short time, as some supermarkets and retail parks will offer free parking.

But remember these may have strict time limits and only be available to customers, so check beforehand.

Check the app fee before you pay

Find out if the parking app adds extra fees before making a payment.

You can then make an informed choice about whether you want to use the app or the pay-and-display machine.

Plan how long you’re going to be out for

If you’re only going to be out for an hour or so, you probably don’t need to pay for a full day of parking.

So think about how long you’re likely to need the parking space for.

But remember that if you’re out for a few hours, a longer-stay rate might work out cheaper than paying by the hour.

Budget for parking

When you’re juggling loads of different costs like fuel and car tax, it can be easy to overlook parking charges.

So look at your bank statements to see how much you’re spending on parking every month.

You can then either factor it into your household budget, so you’re prepared for these costs, or look at alternatives like walking, cycling or using public transport, at least some of the time.