Drivers forced to use parking apps can pay up to 40% more

‘Convenience fees’ or ‘service fees’ on parking apps typically range from 10p to 30p, but they are seldom included in a car park’s advertised parking tariffs. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

Drivers are unwittingly paying up to 40% more to park as more councils switch to app-only payments and force customers to pick up the tab.

Many councils across England have removed pay and display machines and replaced them with app payments, including a number in London. Most local authorities encourage drivers to pay by app to beat queues, while apps are often the only way to pay when ticket machines are out of order. However, many car park signs fail to mention that app payments may incur an additional service fee.