In many places, parking companies have started sending parking fees digitally. But this may be illegal, says the FDM.
FDM believes that a new practice for collecting parking fees using digital license plate recognition may be illegal.
The system, where cameras record vehicle license plates when entering and exiting parking facilities, and where fees are issued electronically in the event of non-payment, may be in violation of applicable regulations.
According to FDM, the method is problematic, as drivers often only receive the fee several days after the parking has taken place, and thus do not have the opportunity to assess or refute the fee on the spot.
– We at FDM have been certain from the start that the rules do not allow parking companies to simply send the parking fee by post because they have chosen to save on parking attendants.
– The rules are quite clear: The fee must be placed on the windshield or given to the driver.
– The parking companies' model, where registration at entry and exit is used to send a parking fee instead of putting it on the car, is, in FDM's opinion, only beneficial to the parking companies and their earnings, says Dennis Lange, chief consultant at FDM.
FDM further emphasizes that the digital model deprives drivers of the opportunity to document parking conditions at the time of any violations.
It also points out the risk that the tax will be sent to the registered owner of the vehicle, who was not necessarily the actual driver at the time.
The Consumer Ombudsman and the Minister of Transport have both expressed an opinion that is consistent with FDM's interpretation, the member association believes.
In July 2024, the Consumer Ombudsman clarified to the parking companies that fees must be physically placed on the vehicle or transferred directly to the driver.
The Parking Complaints Board has also been summoned to an information meeting at the Ministry of Transport to discuss the issue.
– We are pleased that the Consumer Ombudsman and the Minister of Transport read the executive order in the same way as the FDM. Clarification is needed.
– And we hope that in the future there will be no doubt about how the rules should be understood, says Dennis Lange.
