Let’s not beat around the bush: parking is most drivers’ worst nightmare. It can be time-consuming, difficult to find, often far from one’s desired destination, and quite pricey too. In short, it can be a bit of a challenge. As for the financial side of things, it is fair to say that our pockets suffer a little from parking prices.

Across the country, parking permits are seeing a year-on-year increase in price. For instance,  Glasgow residents may soon have to face a 40% rise in parking permit costs; likewise, residents in Norfolk may see the price of on-street pay tickets soar. There is no hiding that this will have a negative impact on the purses and wallets of British drivers.

On a more positive note, new government rules will regulate the cost of fines in private car parks. In fact, in the majority of circumstances, private car park operators will no longer be able to set fines over £50. This is good news if you have a tendency to park with one of your wheels out of the designated lines. But still, parking costs remain an issue.

Here, we take a look at some of the ways in which you can limit your parking expenses.

Join a car club

One of the best methods to cut down on those dreaded parking prices is to join a car club. Car sharing offers you the chance to book a vehicle wherever, whenever, and for however long you need it. Once it has taken you from A to B, you can simply return the car to its bay or an approved parking space at no extra cost.

Being part of a car club also comes with an array of other benefits. You will not have to worry about paying for costly pit stops to refuel the vehicle or expensive maintenance mishaps like flat tyres or dead batteries. Moreover, you have the opportunity to hire your favoured vehicle model. In this respect, you can also book an electric car and play a significant role in safeguarding the environment.

Ultimately, the advantage of no parking costs is simply the cherry on the cake!

Know when and where to park

Before you jump behind the wheel, a bit of research can save you some precious money. In fact, there is a chance that some areas of the city or town will present cheaper parking rates at specific times or days of the week. If parking is more cost-effective on weekdays than at the weekend, you may want to consider a trip to your local deli on a Wednesday rather than on a Sunday.

Furthermore, there is a website called Parkopedia that covers over 15,000 cities around the world, providing access to information about 70 million parking spaces. From prices and opening hours, it allows you to plan your journey and drop off your car at a reasonable cost.

Ask friends

If you don’t ask, you don’t get. One simple solution to avoid hefty parking fees is to ask your family or friends for suggestions. It is possible that someone might know which are the cheapest car parks or spots in town.

If not, you may want to use social media to extend your query to more friends and followers. Whether it is an Instagram story or a Facebook post, there is a chance that one of your followers will be able to come up with an affordable or free-of-charge solution.

Park on the outskirts

Another way to escape costly parking rates is to find parking space on the outskirts of the city. In fact, it is very likely that they will be significantly cheaper than what’s on offer in the town centre. With some luck or some careful research, you could even find a free space.

What’s more, by parking on the edge of a town or city you will be sparing yourself from traffic and congestion. Leave your vehicle on the outskirts and enjoy a relaxing stroll as the last leg of your journey – it will work wonders on your physical and mental wellbeing.

Rent a driveway

If you are regularly parking in an area that only has pricey car parks and permits, you could consider an unusual but effective alternative. Hiring a driveway can be a great solution to save money and comfortably find space for your vehicle.

This is particularly true if you are trying to find cheap parking deals that suit your usage. If you only need parking space during specific timeframes, whether in the evening or at the weekend, you are likely to bag a better bargain. There are several websites that will help you spot the perfect driveway for your needs.

Ultimately, parking can cause a few headaches. From hefty fares to limited available spaces, it can put drivers’ patience – and finances – to the test. We hope that these effective tips will help you cut costs on your parking expenses, so you can get out and about with more peace of mind.