Parking Ticket Rules in the UK

Scott

Janine

· Feb 23rd, 2024

Have you received a private parking ticket and are wondering if you should pay or try to appeal? This is the right place for you.

Each month, more than 130,000 people visit our website seeking advice on fines and parking tickets. So you’re not alone.

This article will provide simple and clear details about:

The two types of parking fines in the UK.
Whether or not you need to pay council and private parking fines.
How to appeal a parking ticket.
Useful tips to avoid getting a parking ticket.

We understand how annoying it can be to receive a private parking fine. But don’t worry; we have plenty of helpful tips and examples to guide you through the process.

Please remember that ignoring any parking ticket can lead to legal trouble. But with the right information and advice, you can handle this situation wisely.

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.

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*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.

Do you have to pay council parking fines?

You are given 28 days to pay or appeal a council parking fine. If you pay within 14 days you will receive a 50% discount, so it’s worth paying early if you don’t plan on appealing.

If you don’t pay the council parking fine within the 28 days, the council will send you a charge certificate. This is a notice that the fine has been increased by 50% of its initial value due to the delay. For example, an £80 Penalty Charge Notice will become £120.

Not paying the newly increased fine within an additional 14 days will result in the council asking for a court order against you. This court order will force you to pay; otherwise, you’ll have to deal with debt enforcement action, which often means the use of bailiffs.

Do you have to pay private parking tickets?

Private parking fines can be legally sent by a private landowner, but they aren’t considered genuine fines. They are considered to be invoices from the private company. You don’t have to pay the money requested unless you are ordered to by a judge. But if you’re taken to court to get a judge to order you to pay, you may owe further fees.

A judge will only order you to pay if the parking company has operated their car park in line with the law. For example, they may need to have the correct signage so motorists are aware of their unwritten contractual agreement by using the car park.

Alternatively, you can also appeal a private parking ticket when you think it has been wrongfully issued.

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.

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In partnership with Just Answer.

How to appeal parking tickets

The process of appealing council and private parking tickets are different.

Both types of parking fines are challenged with a written explanation of why you believe the ticket should be cancelled, and it should be accompanied by evidence. Sometimes you can do this online and sometimes you will have to write a letter.

If the council or private form decides to reject your appeal, the parking ticket rules state you have the right to escalate the appeal. The council or parking company should provide all information on how to do this, along with timescales.

Council parking fine appeals are escalated to an independent tribunal based on the location of the council. Private parking fine appeals are escalated to an independent body based on what Accredited Trade Association (ATA) the car park operator is a member of. They will either be escalated to Parking on Private Land Appeals (POPLA) or the Independent Appeals Service (IAS).

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Get legal support from JustAnswer

What is the best excuse to appeal a parking ticket?

There are a number of excuses you might be able to use to get out of a council or private parking fine. Some of the best excuses include:

Payment machines out of order – be careful as some car parks state that you must not use the car park if there is no method to pay available.
Your car broke down – you may need evidence, such as an invoice or statement from a mechanic.
Your appointment went over – this is more likely to be accepted in private car parks attached to a hospital. You may also need written confirmation that your appointment was delayed.
You were involved in an emergency – again you may need evidence, such as a police report.
The ticket wasn’t issued in time – more on this later!

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Is there a time limit on parking fines?

There is a time limit on parking companies sending you a Parking Charge Notice. If the company didn’t put a notice on your windshield, they have to send the notice to your address within 14 days, as long as the notice says “Protection of Freedoms Act” when it does arrive.

If it takes longer than 14 days, you can use this to appeal the ticket and state you won’t be paying. And if you received a notice in good time but subsequently appealed the parking fine, the company must respond to your appeal within 56 days. Failing to respond to an appeal in this timeframe will result in the parking ticket being cancelled.