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Councils made over £411m from parking charges in 2011/2012, an increase of 14.9% from the previous year.
The top council earners included Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea and Camden, earning £38m, £27.5m and £25m respectively.
Outside the capital, Brighton and Hove netted £13.7m, Milton Keynes earned £6.5m and Newcastle Upon Tyne received £6.2m.
The Institute of Advanced Motorists, which carried out the research, said that at the same time, the amount spent on road safety, education and safe routes to schools decreased by 18% from £127.5m to £105m.
Overall revenue spending on highways and transport reduced by 6% between 2010/11 and 2011/12, while capital expenditure (on construction, tarmac) reduced by an estimated 13%.
The Forum of Private Business said the figures showing a huge rise in revenue through car parking fines and charges is "damning proof local authorities are hammering motorists visiting town centres".
"The evidence is now there for all to see that many councils are using motorists as cash cows without a thought for the consequences their actions have on the wider business communities," said Forum spokesman Robert Downes.
"With an average increase of 15% in take from fines and car parking charges, it's plain councils are ramping up efforts and prices to raise revenue.
"Crude and short-sighted money spinners like this just means more and more shoppers abandoning their local high street and looking elsewhere for their shopping needs."
He continued: "What we need is councils to look at new options - lower car parking charges, or have entire days or afternoons where it's free."
Meanwhile, the all-party Transport Select Committee is investigating whether town halls should be given greater powers to spend money how they wish. Currently, parking charges can only be spent on transport.
The inquiry by MPs will also consider the case for implementing workplace parking levies, following its introduction in Nottingham, and it will judge whether levies would make commuters use public transport and park and ride services.
Other issues for the inquiry include how council use parking control to manage congestion and whether road signs are clear.
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