Coventry Parking Fines – Should You Pay or Appeal?
By
Scott
Scott Nelson
Managing Director
MoneyNerd’s founder, Scott Nelson, has a decade of financial industry experience, including 6 years in FCA regulated loan and credit card companies. Troubled by a lack of conscience in the industry, he founded MoneyNerd to give genuine advice to those in debt and struggling financially.
Janine Marsh is an award-winning presenter and a valuable member of the MoneyNerd team. With a wealth of experience as a financial expert, she's been featured on BBC Radio 4, BBC Local Radio, and BBC Five Live, and is a regular on Co-op Radio.
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“Got a Coventry parking fine and are not sure what to do next? This guide is here to help. Each month, over 130,000 people come to us for advice on fines and parking tickets, so you’re in good company.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through:
What a Coventry parking fine is.
Whether you must pay these fines or not.
How to appeal a Coventry parking fine.
Tips to avoid parking fines in Coventry.
What might happen if you don’t pay your fine.
We know that getting a parking fine is not fun, but don’t worry; we’re here to guide you with clear tips and examples.”
Let’s dive in.
Most Appeals Succeed
In some circumstances, you might have a legitimate reason not to pay your fine.
It’s a bit sneaky, but the last time I needed legal advice, I paid £5 for a trial to chat with an online solicitor called JustAnswer.
Not only did I save £50 on solicitor feeds, I also won my case and didn’t have to pay my £271 fine.
Chat below to get started with JustAnswer
*Around 35,000 people dispute their tickets each year with the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, and a striking 64% of those appeals are successful, so it’s well worth a try.
Coventry City Council parking fines
Coventry City Council parking fines – better known as Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) – are council parking tickets issued for various parking contraventions.
There are a number of types of contraventions that could get you a council parking fine, such as not paying or parking in places you’re not supposed to.
It should also be said that a council Penalty Charge Notice can be issued for other reasons, especially driving in a bus lane at times of the day when it’s not permitted.
Therefore all council parking fines are Penalty Charge Notices, but not all Penalty Charge Notices are parking fines.
Check out what happened to one motorist who got a Bus lane fine in Coventry.
Coventry parking fines cost £70 if the parking offence is considered serious and £50 if it’s considered less serious. Both fines can be reduced by 50% when paid within 14 days. So the fine will only cost £35 or £25, respectively for people who act fast.
The cost of a private car park ticket in Coventry is usually more expensive. But these are not the focus of our discussion here.
The driver might not have to pay. By law, the vehicle owner is the person who must pay the Penalty Charge Notice. This remains the case when the vehicle owner wasn’t driving at the time and isn’t guilty of the contravention.
There might be an exception, such as if the PCN recipient sold the car and the new owner was guilty of the parking contravention.
These rules aren’t the case for all fines and penalties. For example, vehicle owners can place blame on someone else if they receive a speeding ticket.
How do I pay my PCN Coventry?
You can pay your Coventry PCN 24 hours after the alleged contravention. You can pay online, by calling the payment hotline on 024 7678 7778, or in person. You need to have your PCN number to make the payment.
You can make an informal appeal in writing to the council within the first 28 days. However, it’s best to do so within 14 days because the discounted rate is held for you if the informal appeal is rejected and you then decide to pay.
After 28 days, a Notice to Owner will be sent asking for full payment or giving you the opportunity to make a formal Coventry City Council penalty charge appeal. The council will then make a decision on your informal appeal and cancel the ticket or ask for payment (if rejected).
Successful Appeal Case Study
Situation
Initial Fine
£100
Additional Fees
£171
Total Fine
£271
The Appeal Process
Scott used JustAnswer, online legal service to enhance his appeal. The trial of this cost him just £5.
Total Fine
£271
Cost of legal advice
£5
JustAnswer helped Scott craft the best appeal possible and he was able to win his case.
Scott’s fine was cancelled and he only paid £5 for the legal help.
But if the council rejects the formal appeal, you can take it even further. There is an independent tribunal which looks at appeals independent of the council. This panel will have the final decision on the case.
Never pay before you challenge a PCN Coventry fine. Paying means you accept guilt and the case is immediately closed.
Ignore, pay or appeal – what’s best?
You should never ignore a Penalty Charge Notice from any council, but the choice between paying and appealing might not be so straightforward. There’s no harm in making an informal appeal within 14 days so you can still access the 50% reduced fine if rejected.
But making a formal appeal will lose your right to the discounted fine, so only do this if your appeal is truthful and you’re confident, which may mean obtaining sufficient evidence first.
In the end, only you can answer this question because it should be entirely based on individual circumstances. Don’t make a formal appeal just because you can’t afford the fine. This could end up costing you more.
How much is parking in Coventry?
The cost of parking in Coventry can differ significantly depending on whether you use council-owned car parks or private car parks and the length of time you need to park.
If you use a public parking bay and don’t pay or overstay, you could be issued a Coventry City Council parking fine.
Join thousands of others who got legal help for a £5 trial
Getting the support of a Solicitor can take a huge weight off your mind.
There are different parking and traffic signs in Coventry, so it’s important that you familiarise yourself with them before parking in an area.
For example, there are specific bus lane signs which indicate when they are in operation. Then there are signs indicating the various parking zones which include permit holders only.
Is parking ever free in Coventry?
There are some central car parks which offer free parking in Coventry. However, free parking is usually only possible at off-peak times.
Coventry City Council Contact Details
There isn’t a contact number for the parking enforcement department at Coventry Council, but you could always try calling their general customer services on 08085 834333. Lines are open on weekdays between 9am and 5pm.
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MoneyNerd’s founder, Scott Nelson, has a decade of financial industry experience, including 6 years in FCA regulated loan and credit card companies. Troubled by a lack of conscience in the industry, he founded MoneyNerd to give genuine advice to those in debt and struggling financially.
Janine Marsh is an award-winning presenter and a valuable member of the MoneyNerd team. With a wealth of experience as a financial expert, she's been featured on BBC Radio 4, BBC Local Radio, and BBC Five Live, and is a regular on Co-op Radio.
