24 March 2025
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.
“If they don't take cash, I will leave and find somewhere else 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 or 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)
- Cash – 40%
- Contactless – 28%
- Pay via App – 14%
- Chip & Pin – 12%
- Pay by phone – 2%
- QR code – 1%
- 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're 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.”
* 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.