Households without driveways across the UK are facing steep additional costs, with some drivers paying up to £2,000 more a year due to higher car insurance premiums and parking charges, experts warn.
Recent research highlights the financial burden on those living in flats or homes without private parking. Without a driveway, residents often rely on costly on-street parking permits, significantly increasing their vehicle ownership expenses.
The firm Go.Compare uncovered that motorists in certain areas, such as East Devon, could be paying as much as £2,118 annually extra when combining insurance and parking fees. This “driveway charge” represents a growing disparity in living costs tied directly to parking availability.
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Steve Ramsey, motoring insurance expert at Go.Compare, explained, “Households without driveways already pay substantially more—up to £2,118 extra per year in insurance and parking costs compared to their neighbours.”
He highlighted London as a hotspot for this issue, noting that 78% of households there lack driveways, and new developments are providing minimal parking spaces—just one for every six flats. This shortage means an increasing number of residents will face this unavoidable financial penalty.
Ramsey added, “The trend isn’t limited to London. Across the country, local authorities are reducing available parking and charging high fees for permits and public parking. Even paid parking doesn’t always guarantee a space, pushing costs even higher.”
For many urban residents, the cost of owning a car is soaring due to these compounded expenses, making the “driveway charge” a significant factor in household budgets.