Monday Musing: Do European motorists get a better deal when it comes to parking enforcement?

It probably hasn’t escaped anyone’s notice that the level of a parking ticket is a hot topic of conversation right now.  In the latter half of last year, Transport Scotland launched a consultation proposing to introduce a two-tiered system, with the highest level on the lowest tier set at £120, on the basis that a £60 fee “may not be a sufficient deterrent” for drivers.

Meanwhile, the UK Government wants to lower the cap on parking charge notices issued by private parking operators to £50.  The cap is presently £100, but the average for a parking charge is £85 and 50% of that is paid in tax (30% business rates and 20% VAT).  Both councils and private operators are naturally concerned about the future prospects of a sufficient deterrent level.

Notwithstanding the disparity that could potentially occur throughout the UK, how do levels compare to our closest European neighbours?  Do motorists across the channel get off more lightly?

In 2018 France not only decriminalized but decentralised paid on-street parking so that each municipality now decides on the level for parking tickets for contraventions such as not paying for parking, or under-paying. Some municipalities have up to 4 different penalty levels depending on the contravention, which can be lowered if paid early, the term of which also differs.  The median average is €25 (£20)[i], the lowest amount €10 (£8) and the highest €60 (£50).  France has roughly the same number of registered vehicles as the UK at c33 million.

Travel a little further north to Belgium and you could be fined €58 to €116 (£48 to £96).  Parking in pedestrian zones, in an opposite direction, wrong usage of a parking disc and violation of traffic signs are all classified as 1st degree offences incurring a fine of €58.  Parking on the pavement or in disabled space without the official card is classed as a 2nd degree violation incurring a fine of €116.

Fines for motorists that overstay vary according to each municipality or city who decide the level. This can be a half-day fee varying between €20 to €30 (£16 to £25) or a daily rate varying between €30 and €50 (£25 and £42).  In the case of a half-day fee it is possible to have two fees in one day; a half day runs from 9:00 till 13:30 and 13:30 till 17:00. When the parking time (partly) covers both periods, both are due.  Belgium has c5.7 million registered vehicles.

Cross the border into The Netherlands and the maximum fine there is €65 (£54).  The charge only applies if a motorist has not paid for parking as opposed to a parking traffic violation.  Almost all cities charge the maximum but must prove how they’ve calculated the cost.  If the cost of handling fines is less than €65 it is mandatory to reduce the fine.  Parking violations are €100 (£83) and reviewed annually.  The most common are:

• parking at an intersection at a distance of less than five meters from it
• blocking an entrance or exit
• parking in a parking lot while, according to the sign that vehicle doesn’t belong to the allowed category of vehicles
• parking along a yellow dashed line
• double parking

However, park in a disabled bay without a clearly visible badge and it will cost a whopping €400 (£333)!  When it comes to parking on private land, private operators cannot send fines as they don't have access to an equivalent UK DVLA, so all private parking operators use barriers.  No chance of a parking ticket, but it does ensure the user pays for their parking (if required to).  There are c8.3 million registered vehicles in The Netherlands, one of the lowest numbers of registered vehicles per household in Europe along with Belgium.

Finally, travel east to Germany where there are c47 million registered vehicles and the parking penalty charge is between €35 and €110 (£30 - £90) depending on the contravention, for example:

• €10 stopping in front of a fire brigade access
• €35 parking in front of a fire brigade access
• €30 parking in second row for longer than 15 minutes
• €35 parking at a space for disabled persons
• €55 parked unauthorized in a car park for e-vehicles
• €55 parked unauthorized on special bus lanes and at bus stops
• €100 parked in a narrow place and thereby obstructing rescue vehicles
• €100 any parking or stopping that involves potentially or actually causing an accident

So it would seem that Europe has more variable levels depending on the contravention than the UK, but broadly similar costs to the motorist.  In the main however, Europe can be tougher on dangerous parking and particularly for parking in a disabled bay, unless you live in London, which has a maximum level currently at £130.

[i] Based on 1€  = 0.83£