The most common problems drivers face with ‘clunky’ mobile parking apps

Many councils have removed payment machines from their car parks and told drivers to use apps instead, to save money

Nearly three-quarters of drivers who use mobile applications to pay for parking are encountering significant problems, new research reveals, as many councils opt to remove traditional payment machines in a bid to save money.

The RAC, which commissioned the study, is now calling on parking operators to ensure at least two different payment methods are available, stressing that "no-one should be forced" to use an app.

A survey of 1,709 UK drivers indicated that 73 per cent of those who had used a parking app in the past year experienced issues.

Despite the push towards digital, most respondents expressed a preference for bank/contactless cards (46 per cent) or cash (33 per cent), with only 30 per cent favouring apps.

The most common frustrations cited by app users included a lack of mobile signal (70 per cent), the app failing to correctly recognise the car park (36 per cent), and the application crashing (35 per cent).

Some 13 per cent of respondents said they could not work out how to use the app, a figure that doubled to 26 per cent for those aged 75 and above.

The RAC, which commissioned the study, is now calling on parking operators to ensure at least two different payment methods are available, stressing that ‘no-one should be forced’ to use an app (PA)

More than a third of drivers (36 per cent) who use parking apps have at least three installed on their phone, while 15 per cent have four or more.

In May, the Government announced the launch of the National Parking Platform, which is aimed at enabling drivers to pay for parking in all participating car parks using their preferred app.

It said at the time that drivers face “inconsistent parking rules, clunky user experiences and unnecessary barriers”.

The RAC said 10 local authorities are using the service including city councils in Manchester, Liverpool and Coventry.

More are expected to sign up shortly.

RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “Mobile apps have an important and increasing role to play when it comes to parking our vehicles, and the best ones make parking an easier task for many of us.

“But our figures show there’s still plenty drivers find frustrating about using them – whether that’s a lack of mobile signal, problems registering bank cards, or the app crashing or behaving strangely.

“All parking operators, whether public or private, should offer drivers at least two different ways to pay.

“No-one should be forced to use a mobile app when parking if they don’t want to, especially those who struggle with technology or just don’t have a smartphone.”

Mobile phone apps are being used more than ever to pay for car parking (Alamy/PA)

Mr Dennis encouraged drivers to ensure they have downloaded the latest version of each parking app they use, to reduce the chances of them not functioning properly.

Recent Government figures show English councils made a £1.2 billion surplus from parking in the last financial year.

The RAC commissioned research company Online95 to conduct the survey across June and July.