One in five parents have been fined on the school run

See more This is Money on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Updated: 02:54 EDT, 8 September 2026 The start of September signals the return to school, and while that’s a relief for many parents, it can turn out to be unexpectedly expensive ferrying kids to school, according to new research.Nineteen per cent of parents told Carwow that they had received a parking ticket while dropping off or collecting their children at the school gates.These fines can cost as much as £160, depending on where they live and the type of offence committed.Fines are often reduced by 50 per cent if paid within 14 days.And it’s not just parking tickets that are expensive for parents; rising fuel and charging costs, congestion zones and clean air zones, increased wear and tear, and the need for bigger cars are all ways that the school run are taking a toll on their wallets.In Carwow's survey of 1,000 parents, one in five said they had been fined for parking, with the cost of this charge ranging from around £70 to £160. Twenty per cent of parents have been fined while driving their child to and from school, new research has found, adding a sting to the school runJoin the discussionAre fines for school drop-offs an unfair penalty on parents just trying to get their kids to class?What's your view?Outside of London, fines for breaking school parking restrictions - such as stopping on yellow zig-zag 'School Keep Clear' lines or entering a restricted 'School Street' zone - is typically around £70. Though this is often reduced to £35 if paid within a fortnight.But London boroughs tend to add a penalty charge premium, with drivers in some boroughs facing fines of between £110 and £160.The City of Westminster, Enfield and Hammersmith & Fulham all charge a higher rate, with a 50 per cent discount applied if the fine is paid within 14 days, reducing the fine to £55 or £80.Siobhan Doyle from Carwow, says taking a few extra minutes to find a suitable place to park could save parents an 'unwelcome fine' and help reduce congestion around the school gates.'If the school gates are gridlocked, park a few streets away and walk the final stretch. It could be quicker than sitting in traffic and means you’re less likely to be tempted to stop somewhere you shouldn’t,' she recommends. Fines for parking can range from £70 to £160 depending where the charge is handed out, with London boroughs often charging the mostParents are finding that back-to-school time can be expensive for other reasons too, with 41 per cent of parents telling Carwow that fuel and charging costs are the biggest financial impacts on the school run.Eleven per cent said that congestion and clean air zone charges, such as London's ULEZ charge of £12.50 a day, are a pressing factor, while more than a quarter (28 per cent) said they need to clean their car more frequently and pay for damage caused by increased wear and tear, including scratches and scuffed bumpers.Other parents are finding that, as children’s needs change, what the family needs from a car changes too. As such, 55 per cent of parents reported to Carwow that they’ve had to get a larger vehicle since their children started school.Forty-four per cent of respondents said that they needed more space for school bags, lunchboxes and other items; 30 per cent said they needed to accommodate other children they were ferrying to and from school; and 28 per cent said older, bigger children simply needed more space.While some people may say that walking or using public transport is the right solution, for many people that isn’t possible.Department for Transport statistics show that 43 per cent of primary school trips and 30 per cent of secondary school trips are made by car, meaning the school run remains an everyday reality for millions of families. CARS & MOTORING: ON TEST