Private firms are raking in cash by issuing more than 22,000 parking tickets a day, research shows.
Four million drivers were penalised between last April and September, analysis of government data reveals.
This was despite car use being more than a quarter below pre-pandemic levels in the early part of the six-month period.
If the ticketing rate continues, the total for the financial year will be near the record high of 8.4 million set in 2019-20.
Firms obtain DVLA records to chase drivers for rule breaches in private car parks, including shopping centres and leisure facilities. A ticket costs up to £100.
RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding said: “Few drivers intentionally break the rules and consequently get stuck with a bill for up to £100, particularly if they were dropping off parcel deliveries to an apartment block.
“Never ignore a parking charge notice. Read it carefully and, however strongly it’s worded, if it’s wrong, challenge it.”
The study found 163 firms requested car owner records between April and September with ParkingEye top of the list, asking for 900,000.
The DVLA charges private firms £2.50 per record but said it was an admin fee and it did not make any profit.
A government shake-up of how private firms treat drivers is on the cards with changes including a code of practice and a single appeals service.
