Do I need to pay private parking tickets?

Key takeaways

• There are three types of parking tickets: Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN), issued by the police; Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), issued by public authorities; and Parking Charge Notice (also PCN), issued by private landowners or companies.

• To challenge a parking ticket, you need to explain why the fine wasn’t justified. Faulty or broken technology, misleading signs and other reasons can all be taken into account.

• You have to pay fines from the police or local council but tickets from private companies or landowners are more like invoices, and you can end up in court if you ignore them.

What are the different types of parking tickets?

Before you can decide whether or not to pay a parking ticket, it helps to know what kind you're dealing with. There are three main types of parking tickets that you might come across as a driver:

Fixed penalty notice (FPN)

Fixed penalty notices are the tickets you might receive from the police, council, or the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) for various offences, such as parking violations. In England and Wales, you usually have 28 days to pay the fine but if you pay within the first 14 days the fine is reduced. Ignoring an FPN is not a wise move as it can lead to court action.

Penalty charge notice (PCN)

These tend to be issued by local authority traffic wardens or Transport for London (TfL) and can be for a range of issues, such as failing to pay for parking or for not paying your Congestion Charge. PCNs are civil matters, unlike Excess Charge Notices (ECNs), which are criminal charges.

Parking charge notice/PCN

Yes, there are two PCNs - which isn’t very helpful - but this one is issued by private companies for parking on their land without following the rules, or parking companies employed on their behalf. These notices are basically invoices for a breach of contract. Paying early can often result in a discount, but ignoring them can end up in court action.

Do I have to pay a private parking ticket?

No, you don’t have to pay a private parking ticket if you can prove the fine wasn’t justified. For example, if there's faulty technology, misleading signs, or you had extenuating circumstances, you might have a case.

But if you clearly violated the parking rules, challenging the ticket might not be worth your time

💡 Top tip: It’s worth knowing that private companies can't technically fine you; they can only claim you've breached a contract with them.

What happens if I don't pay a private parking ticket?

If you don't pay a private parking ticket, the company may continue to send you requests for payment and could eventually take you to court. The debt might be passed to a debt collection agency, though they cannot take your goods. If you still don't pay, the cost could increase with court fees.

When should I challenge a parking ticket?

You might want to consider challenging a parking ticket if:

• There was a faulty parking meter or ticket machines.

• Car park signs were unclear or misleading.

• You were dealing with extenuating circumstances, like a medical emergency or your car had broken down and you were waiting for it to be fixed or towed away.

• If you were at an NHS hospital car park (operated by a private company) and you’re exempt from paying. For example, you’re a blue badge holder.

Remember, you'll need to back up your claim with solid evidence, such as photographs of signage or witness statements.

📣 Did you know? Motoring research charity the RAC Foundation says that private parking companies have issued 76 million tickets since 2019 despite the Parking (Code of Practice) Act being introduced that year, reports The Independent.

How do I challenge a parking ticket?

Ready to challenge a ticket? Here's what you should do:

• Check who issued the ticket. There are usually signs in car parks outlining the rules and which local authority or company sets them.

• Start with an informal approach – a phone call to clear up a few questions and prompt a ticket cancellation could be all it needs.

• If that doesn’t work, make a formal appeal. Be warned though, they don’t have high success rates and can be very time-consuming.

• In some cases, you may need to take your appeal to an independent tribunal.

How do I deal with private parking fines?

Private parking fines require a different approach. Here's what you need to know:

• Private parking fines need legal backing to enforce payment.

• If the fine is from the police or council, you have to pay it.

• Tickets from private companies are more like invoices for contract breaches and can lead to small claims court if ignored.

To challenge a private parking ticket, check if the company is a member of a trade body like the British Parking Association (BPA) or the International Parking Community (IPC), and follow their official appeals process. If the firm isn't affiliated with a trade body, seek legal advice before deciding to ignore the ticket.

If your appeal is rejected, you can apply to the Parking on Private Lands Appeals (POPLA) scheme, which is an independent appeals service, which is also free. They'll consider all evidence from both the motorist and parking operator before making a judgement.

Will a parking ticket affect my car insurance?

No, parking tickets should not affect your car insurance. Insurers usually focus on other driving-related factors, such as speeding or driving under the influence, rather than parking violations.

What should I do if my car is clamped or towed away?

Getting clamped or towed is usually a result of illegal parking, invalid insurance, or an untaxed vehicle. But remember, private operators can't legally clamp or tow on private land in England, Scotland, and Wales.

Can I remove a wheel clamp myself?

It probably isn’t a good idea to remove a wheel clamp yourself as you could be charged with criminal damage. It's best to go through the proper channels to resolve the issue.

How can I avoid a parking ticket?

• Steer clear of parking on double yellow lines or in clearways.

• Always display parking tickets or permits clearly and correctly.

• Familiarise yourself with local parking restrictions and don't assume exceptions for disabled parking without checking.

• Look out for signs outlining the rules in private car parks. Supermarkets, hospitals and retail parks will usually employ a separate parking company to run their car park.

When it comes to parking tickets, knowledge is power. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and park smart.