Parking on Pavement Fine – What You Need to know
Have you got a fine for parking on the pavement and are unsure what to do next? This article is here to help. Every month, over 130,000 people come to our website for guidance on fines and parking tickets, which is unsurprising, as the DVLA reports that over 11 million parking tickets were issued last year, which is up by 29% year on year!1
In this easy-to-understand guide, we’ll focus on:
- If it’s against the law to park on the pavement in the UK.
- If you must pay the fine for parking on the pavement.
- How to appeal a pavement parking fine.
- Ways to avoid getting a fine for pavement parking.
We know that getting a private parking fine can be a big worry. But don’t worry; this guide is designed to answer all your questions. From understanding if it’s illegal to park on the pavement to knowing how much you can be fined for it, we’ve got you covered.
So, let’s get started on clearing up your concerns about pavement parking fines.
56% of Ticket Appeals Succeed
In some circumstances, you might have a legitimate reason not to pay your parking 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
*According to Martin Lewis, 56% of people who try to appeal their ticket are successful and get the charge overturned, so it’s well worth a try. In partnership with Just Answer.
Is parking on the pavement illegal (UK)?
Parking on the pavement is only considered illegal in London but not in the rest of the UK.
At the time of writing, drivers who park on the pavement in London, including just one or two of their vehicle’s wheels, can be issued a Penalty Charge Notice under the UK Transport Act.
London Borough Council parking rules stipulate this quite clearly.
However, it should also be said that Scotland is a pioneer in banning parking on pavements nationwide.
The laws haven’t come into force yet although there is a legal provision in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 at section 50.
Moreover, new laws will be coming into effect that will introduce a pavement parking ban throughout the UK
However, local councils have the power to enforce pavement parking fines in the UK in specific areas for specific reasons.
It includes parking on pavements.
As such, you should always follow UK parking regulations about leaving a vehicle on a pavement no matter where you are.
The RAC found that the number of parking tickets being issued is up by nearly 30%! The report also found that misleading and deliberately confusing signage in private car parks is part of the problem.2
Is there a new law about parking on the pavement?
Consultations have started to take place to expand the current laws to the rest of the UK.
So it won’t just be London drivers who need to be mindful of parking – partially or wholly – on the pavement.
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.
In partnership with Just Answer.
Can you get fined for parking on the pavement (UK)?
You can be issued a fine for parking on the pavement in London.
The Penalty Charge Notice will usually be served by a Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO) working for one of the London Borough councils.
In short, UK parking enforcement is typically carried out by CEOs.
The only exception is when signage states you can park when loading and unloading on pavement is part of a job.
I was recently featured in The Sun about parking tickets, where I encouraged everyone to check whether the ticket was issued by a member of a trade association. If they aren’t, then they probably can’t get your details from the DVLA to pursue you.
» TAKE ACTION NOW: Get legal support from JustAnswer
How much can you be fined for pavement parking?
You can be issued a penalty notice from a London council if you park partially or wholly on the pavement in London.
The fine is currently set at £70.
But the driver only has to pay £35 if they pay within 14 days.
If you don’t pay within 28 days, the fine is increased to £105, and the matter can even escalate into a court order.
Can you park on the pavement outside your home?
Even if you’re slightly parked on the pavement outside of your own home, you could still be issued a £70 penalty.
Check out what happened to one motorist below>
Source: Moneysavingexpert
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Can I appeal a pavement parking fine?
You can appeal a pavement parking fine if you believe it’s unfair.
You file your appeal with the issuing local council online or by post.
The details can be found online or on the ticket you received.
That said, if you decide to make any parking disputes in the UK, you could lose out on paying the discounted amount.
You have 28 days to file your appeal. But I suggest you do so earlier, say within 14 days.
If the council rejects your appeal, you may still be able to pay the reduced amount.
Here’s how the appeal process works.
| Process: | Steps you should take: |
|---|---|
| When you receive the ticket… | You should gather as much evidence as you can to support your appeal claim and prove that the ticket was unfairly issued. |
| If you were given the ticket in person/attached to your car… | You must make an informal appeal (sent to the local authority/council that issued the PCN) within 14 days. This should be a letter with the evidence proving why the ticket was incorrectly given. |
| If it was posted to you… | You will be given 21 days to submit an informal appeal (from the day you received the letter). Your informal appeal should be a letter with the evidence proving why the ticket was incorrectly given. |
| If the informal appeal is rejected… | You will receive a Notice to Owner and will have 28 days to respond to this with a formal appeal. You can conduct the formal appeal online or via paper form. The Traffic Penalty Tribunal can send you one of these forms. |
| If the formal appeal is rejected… | You will receive a Notice of Rejection. From here, you are free to challenge the council’s verdict at an independent tribunal. |
| If the independent tribunal disagrees with your appeal… | You should pay the ticket within 28 days of the tribunal rejecting your appeal. If you don’t, the fine will be increased by 50%. If you don’t have the money to pay the fine, you should contact Citizens Advice or another debt charity. |
Hire a Parking Solicitor for less than a coffee.
If you’re thinking about appealing your parking ticket then getting some professional advice is a good idea.
Getting the support of a Solicitor can make your appeal much more likely to win.
For a £5 trial, Solicitors from JustAnswer can look at your case and help you create an airtight appeal.
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In partnership with Just Answer.
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