How do I Speak to Someone at ParkingEye?

Have you received a private parking fine from ParkingEye and are unsure about what to do next? This is just the right place for you. Every month, over 130,000 people visit our website for advice on fines and parking tickets.

In this helpful article, you’ll find:

•  Who ParkingEye is and what ANPR means.
•  If you need to pay ParkingEye Fines.
•  How to appeal a parking ticket from ParkingEye.
•  Understanding if you might not have to pay.
•  What happens if your appeal is not successful.

Which? found that, despite 78% of members deeming private parking fines unfair, many don’t contest due to low confidence in appeal success.¹

We know that this process can be confusing. But don’t worry; we have a lot of helpful tips and examples to guide you. Let’s dive in and help you understand what to do about your ParkingEye fine.

Who is ParkingEye?

ParkingEye is a private company that manages car parks across the UK. The company provides private parking enforcement UK services to its clients.

They use ANPR parking systems to monitor drivers’ parking activities. They are often used by:

• Supermarkets
• Private landowners

Private parking tickets are not to be confused with public parking which is managed by the local council. When drivers park for too long or fail to pay for their stay, they are issued with a Parking Charge Notice by ParkingEye.

The usual fine is £60 which is raised to £100 if not paid within 14 days².

What is ANPR?

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) is used by car park companies and the authorities to record parking infringements and traffic violations. The technology captures a vehicle’s number plate and location. The data is then used to pursue an offender.

If it’s over a Parking Charge Notice, an accredited operator like ParkingEye retrieves the information from the DVLA.

The operator sends the parking fine to the vehicle keeper’s address as their details are held by the DVLA.

How do you pay your ParkingEye fine?

You can pay over the phone or by cheque to the company’s address in Blyth.

If your payment doesn’t clear then an extra fee could be added. So make sure that you have funds, that your cheque will clear and that you pay the correct amount.

How do you appeal a parking ticket from ParkingEye?

You have the right to appeal the fine if you believe it was wrongfully issued.

To do so, you must contact ParkingEye directly within 28 days, and provide evidence as to why you believe your ticket should be overturned. 

Do not pay your fine if you intend to appeal. All further action will be halted until the appeal outcome.

Appeal Process Steps

Here’s a table that will help you understand the steps you should take to appeal a parking ticket from ParkingEye. For more information, be sure to read our complete guide.

When	Action
On receiving a council PCN	Read the notice, keep it, gather evidence and note all payment and challenge deadlines.
Windscreen or handed-to-driver PCN	An informal challenge may be available before the Notice to Owner. Early challenge can preserve a discount under the authority’s policy; 14 days is not a universal final appeal deadline.
Postal PCN or Notice to Owner	Normally make formal representations within 28 days as stated on the notice. Do not assume there is an extra informal stage.
Representations rejected	The Notice of Rejection explains how to appeal to the appropriate independent tribunal, normally within 28 days.
Appeal unsuccessful	Pay by the deadline given in the decision or obtain advice on any available review. Further statutory charges can follow if you do neither.
Other ticket type	Private parking charges and FPNs use different procedures; follow the actual notice.

Further guidance: Traffic Penalty Tribunal; Citizens Advice.

On what grounds can you appeal a ticket?

You could have grounds to appeal a ParkingEye fine for the following reasons:

1. You were not given the 10-minute grace period to get back to your vehicle.
2. You had broken down and were waiting for assistance.
3. You have a disability or are pregnant. 
4. The parking signs were not clear or visible.
5. You had an emergency. We’ve previously spoken out about private parking companies giving fines to people who, whilst parked in hospital car parks, experienced delays due to an emergency situation. It is very important for drivers to know their rights.
6. You paid the amount requested and have proof.
7. You received the fine more than 14 days after the alleged parking violation.
8. You were not the owner of the car at the time, because you had sold it.

We suggest you make sure you follow the correct Parking Charge Notice appeal process. We’ve included a message a concerned motorist posted on an online forum.

Source: Moneysavingexpert

You should provide as much proof as possible to appeal your ParkingEye ticket, including photos and witness statements. 

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What happens if you lose your appeal?

If you lose your appeal then you can take it to an Independent Appeal Service, in this case POPLA

You must do this within 28 days of your appeal being rejected. The operator will look at your claim and make a decision on it either way. You will need to provide them with all the evidence that you have to support your claim.

If they dismiss your appeal then there is no further action that you can take and you will have to pay the fine within 28 days. 

If you do not pay further action could be taken such as the fine being passed to a debt collection agency or court action could be started.

If they agree with your evidence, you will not have to pay and the operator must cancel the fine.

Is the POPLA decision binding?

Yes, once a decision has been made, either way, that decision is final and binding to both parties.

The only option left to a motorist is to take out legal action against the operator which is expensive. Plus, there’s no guarantee of success.

How often are parking ticket fines overturned?

You may be wondering what the POPLA appeal success rate is, which we’ve listed below. According to a report by POPLA In 2021, 37% of motorists had their Parking Charge Notices cancelled.

So, if you feel that you have valid grounds for an appeal, then it could be worth doing.

Common misconceptions about private parking fines

We’ve included some common misconceptions about private parking fines here.

Parking Charge Notices are not legally enforceable – not necessarily true. Although not immediately enforceable, an operator could take you to court and win. In which case, a private parking fine is enforceable when a judge orders you to pay.

We can ignore a parking ticket on private land – not true. You should not ignore a Parking Charge Notice. You should either pay or appeal the fine.

Can ParkingEye take you to court?

Yes, ParkingEye can take you to court, this will result in a CCJ on your credit file if they win. If you don’t pay the CCJ within 28 days, the record will affect your chances of obtaining credit for 6 years.

That’s one of the effects of unpaid ParkingEye fines.

Plus, if you do not pay then further action would be taken which will involve bailiffs (enforcement agents).

References

1. Which? – The rise of private parking fines
2. National Debtline – Parking Charge Notices